Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. While stopped, white smoke emitted from the rear of the contact's vehicle. In addition, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the engine oil leaked onto the exhaust system and caused the engine to smoke. The dealer stated that the engine valve cover seal and gasket needed to be replaced; however, the manufacturer denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,046. The current mileage was 101,700.
I was leaving a restaurant and as I was crossing the intersection my car shut off ,I got it started and as I got to the red light it shut off again so had to keep my foot on the brake and gas at the same time. Once I got back on the interstate I had no more problems. About 6 months later I was at mcdonalds drive-thru at 2 am when my car shut off, I coasted into the closest parking space and my car locked up and I had no power at all and I was locked inside I manually unlocked my door got out of my car and I had to call aaa. My car would not crank when aaa man tried to jump under the hood, he had to take my backseat out to jump start it, he got it started and he told me he couldn't understand what happened. …
Vehicle overheated, engine went into protect mode, driver info center directed me to shut down vehicle, I pulled off to the side of the road promptly and shut vehicle down. I waited for 15 minutes, turned ignition to on position, and it read it was cooled down enough to drive. I took off onto the road again, a half a mile later, I had to do the same thing. I waited 30 minutes for a some one to meet me at the location, this person restarted the vehicle and drove it 2 miles to my house, where it overheated again in the driveway. After replacing the water pump, belts, thermostat, and radiator, it was discovered that the head bolts were indeed what was causing the vehicle to overheat. The mechanic found that they were at the incorrect torque and that there was combustion chemicals in the cooling system. …
This car has continually stalled out at different speeds. I was told it was the throttle position sensor so I replaced that. That seemed to fix it temporarily but just yesterday I was driving on the highway and the car completely cut off going 55mph plus. The car completely stalled died out and I had no control over anything. Had this happened in the fast lane with more traffic my death would have been on the news. I want this fixed at no cost to me as this is ludicrous this car has such a defect. I buy a high end luxury car for high end luxury not to be in a pinto type death trap. I want this documented so others also know about this issue as dealer should know about issue and not being able to replicate results is bs as I stated it doesn't happen often but at random times. Car starts up right after the stall but the stall is the horrific issue!
Dt: leased vehicle has stopped for no reason 3 times in traffic. No indication of problems, no dashboard lights lit before vehicle stopped. The vehicle just stopped dead cold with no warning. Consumer has been in contact with dealer 3 times and taken the car in for service, the dealer could not fix the vehicle, and the vehicle has a vehicle data recorder on board. That still has not helped and problem still has not been fixed. Made a complaint to the bbb. GM customer service and they denied the consumer's complaint. The consumer has every printout from the dealer that states the problems. The car has a pattern of problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. While driving 57 MPH, the engine stalled and the air bag and ABS warning indicators were illuminated. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to remedy the recall was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
2004 Cadillac Deville. As second owner of this car vibration of front end over 60 MPH continued. Rotation of tires did not fix the problem. Alignment did. New problem: coolant leak, the source of which could not be located after three trips to shop. Stop leak added on first trip; not effective. 2nd trip to Cadillac dealer, dex added. Seems to do the job. For how long? Still feels unsafe for long-distance driving. OK for in town.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the throttle position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Engine complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Cadillac Deville, 13% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Cadillac Deville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Cadillac Deville, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac Deville engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.