Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
(1) angle parking in front of jekyll island pharmacy (2) car accelerated, crossed 12' sidewalk, crashed thru glass window front and skidded 12' to final stop inside pharmacy. (3) car was repaired at cost of $11,518.46 paid by insurance. Cadillac division of general motors was notified, without any response. Cadillac dealer in brunswick, georgia, and dew Cadillac in pinellas park, florida vowed that "sudden acceleration" was impossible because the computer did not indicate "any" problems. However, dew Cadillac did replace the throttle assembly without charge or explanation.
Dt*: the contact stated while backing out a parking spot, the vehicle shot out with the brake pedal applied and hit a concrete post. The contact then put the vehicle in drive and the vehicle shot forward. The brake pedal was depressed a few times and the vehicle was driven home. There was minor damage to the rear fender and the front driver side door and headlight. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where they were unable to determine a problem. The manufacturer sent a representative who was also unable to determine a problem. Updated 4/6/2006 -
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the throttle vacuum line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Ma 10/15/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly and failed to stop when depressing the brakes. While placing the vehicle in neutral, the contact merged onto the emergency lane turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who stated that once the cruise control was disengaged the accelerator pedal released but no diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000. The current mileage was 157,000.
A 2002 Cadillac Deville dhs 4-door sedan was originally parked head-first into a parking space. When the driver started the ignition, stepped on the brake and then put the vehicle into the reverse gear "r", slowly and partially releasing the brake, the vehicle moved back normally as expected. After about 15 feet, the driver turned the steering wheel to the right to maneuver the vehicle into position to leave the parking lot. At that moment, the engine unexpectedly revved up, the brakes failed, the vehicle accelerated in the reverse direction, the steering mechanism failed (driver's actions on the steering wheel had no impacts on the actual motions of the front wheels), and a significant "clanking" noise (as if some major components in and around the engine compartment area had been broken) was clearly noticeable. …
The car started accelerating, on its own, up to 40 MPH from a stop sign or red light. The gas pedal was not stuck. Legacy Ford in lagrande, oregon has told us it is an internal problem and they will have to put their diagnostic machine on it. We have already paid them 179.36 for labor, gasket and cleaner. They had told us to bring the car to them if it happened when we were in town so they could test it further. Last week I was in town and it happened so I took it to them. They couldn't diagnose the problem at the time so that is why they need to use the diagnostic machine. I tried to report this to Cadillac but they weren't interested in my problem.
Car keeps stalling out (at light, while driving, etc) with the cause apparently attributed to a faulty ignition switch. I had the ignition switch replaced (for a charge of $496) at midway Cadillac in pokomoke md (after having car towed there on feb 14, 2014, because at that time, had difficulty even getting the key in the ignition switch). The problem I was having with it stalling out persists, even after the new ignition switch. Writing because the ignition-switch-related problems I am having appear to be the same or similar to other GM cars which are currently being recalled due to ignition switch problems. Please include the Cadillac Deville 2001 into your investigation regarding faulty ignition switches of GM-made cars.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. He removed his foot from the accelerator and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact had to shift to neutral and pump the brakes in order for the vehicle to stop. He then shut off the vehicle and once restarted, the vehicle was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer advised that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,900 and the current mileage was 43,200. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: limousines. During normal engine roll, the plastic end fitting of the cruise control cable could contact the brake master cylinder and fracture. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
Remedy: Dealers will install a new cruise control bracket and, if necessary, will replace the cruise control cable.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearses and limousines. The canister purge evaporative emissions harness on these vehicles was misrouted.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper routing of the harness, correct as necessary, and install a plastic tie strap to the harness.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Deville years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (21), 2000 (12), 1998 (11), 1999 (11) and 2002 (11) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Deville acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 00V-021 (vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2000); 97V-183 (vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac Deville acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (17 mentions), followed by the cruise control (8).
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.