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Cadillac DevilleModel year report

2004 Cadillac Deville Problems

Complaints
167filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,686miles, 136 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Cadillac Deville (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report power steering that becomes hard or impossible to turn in wet weather, power window regulators that let the glass drop into the door, and stalling or loss of power while driving. Airbag concerns also appear often, split between warning lights and deployments in unusual circumstances. Many complaints arrive at moderate mileage, with engine and transmission items appearing later.

  1. Steering

    Power steering quits, often in rain

    • 29 complaints (17%)
    • median 64,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (27 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2021

    Complaints describe the steering wheel becoming very hard or impossible to turn, most often while driving in rain or after passing through water, and sometimes at low speed in parking lots or on turns. In several cases the assistance returns after a few seconds or after the car is restarted. Owners report dealers finding no fault, replacing the power steering belt at owner expense, or having nothing further to offer. Mostly reported between about 24,000 and 102,000 miles, commonly during wet or rainy conditions.

    What to check: Drive the car at low speed and through or after water, and ask whether steering effort has ever become heavy. Have the belt, pump and related wiring inspected before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Rainy season has started in florida. I ran our 2004 Deville through a very shallow puddle on the 14th of may, and immediately lost the ability to turn the steering wheel in either direction. Using muscles power it was almost impossible to turn the wheel. Fortunately we were in a grocery store parking lot with no traffic.”

    NHTSA complaint #10269110, filed 2009-05, 41,800 miles

    “Car would not steer to right in rain. Difficult to turn steering wheel especially to the right. Only after stopping could I turn the vehicle to the right w/o considerable difficulty. My wife had complained about this before but I did not think it was like this. The dealer told my wife they have this problem. If so it is going to get someone killed. The car is an 04 model and has just over 51,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10473262, filed 2012-09, 51,230 miles
  2. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Power window glass falls into the door

    • 29 complaints (17%)
    • median 54,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (27 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $843 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2019

    Owners describe a snapping or banging noise and then the window dropping into the door and refusing to go back up, one window at a time and often affecting several doors over time. Complaints mention replacement of the window regulators and motors, usually at the owner's expense, and a few say a replaced window failed again within months. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 100,000 miles, with many between 39,000 and 55,000 miles.

    What to check: Cycle every window up and down several times and listen for scraping, slow travel or a bang. Ask which regulators or motors have already been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Over the course of the last 8-months my 2004 Cadillac dts windows' motor (front and rear, left and right) failed to raise the windows after they had been lowered. One window at a time. This is a problem on this model year (2004). Many others have had the same incident. I am lucky in that I had a warranty in effect.”

    NHTSA complaint #10245214, filed 2008-10, 70,000 miles

    “All four power window regulators have failed....we replaced one at approx $400, but it will be another $1000 to replace the other three so we haven't done it yet....asked Cadillac for assistance...denied, but kept pressing and they are reviewing it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10277994, filed 2009-07, 50,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Engine stalls or loses power while driving

    • 17 complaints (10%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • filed 2005–2016

    Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at various speeds, sometimes idling or at low speed and sometimes on the highway, after which the car can usually be restarted. Some owners report a warning light, a throttle position sensor diagnosis, or no stored trouble codes at all. Several mention that a recall for the ignition was announced but that the parts were not yet available. Reported from about 21,000 to 135,000 miles, at a wide range of ages and in both cold and hot weather.

    Recall 14V3550002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall work (campaign 14V355000) was completed. Have the car scanned for stored codes and check for any history of throttle or computer repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10587671, filed 2014-05, 118,450 miles

    “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 2am 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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10629711, filed 2014-08, 109,527 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag light on or unexpected deployment

    • 23 complaints (14%)
    • median 80,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (23 state mileage)
    • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2020

    Complaints fall into two groups: an airbag warning light that stays on, sometimes after repairs, and airbags that inflate without a crash, for example while the key is being turned in the ignition. Owners also report airbags that did not deploy in collisions. Dealers are described as repairing connectors, replacing an airbag, or advising the vehicle not to be driven. Reported from about 13,000 to 163,000 miles, spread across many model years of ownership.

    Recall 14V355000

    What to check: With the key on, confirm the airbag warning light comes on and then goes out. Ask for any airbag or connector repairs on record and whether the ignition recall was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was traveling south on highway 385 when a deer flew out in front of me. We hit head on destroying the whole front end of my car. I would like to know why the air bags did not go off if that deer would have flown up on the hood and came through the windshield it could have killed me. The air bag could have saved my life. Why did it not deploy.”

    NHTSA complaint #10574600, filed 2014-03, 138,000 miles

    “While picking up my wife at the hospital, I removed the keys from the ignition and opened the truck put my wife's rolator in the truck and ensured she was safely in the vehicle. I then went around to the driver's side and got into the vehicle when I inserted the key into the ignition the driver's side air bag deployed. There was no collision nor even movement of the vehicle when the air bag deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.”

    NHTSA complaint #10585125, filed 2014-04, 115,000 miles
  5. Electrical system

    Electrical faults: lights, locks, no-start

    • 36 complaints (22%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (21 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2020

    Owners describe dashboard lights going dark, intermittent door locks, turn signals and flashers that blow fuses repeatedly, a key that will not turn or release in the ignition, and episodes where the car turns over but will not start. Complaints mention repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix, and one describes a control module replacement to restore power. Reported from very low mileage (about 5,000) up to around 138,000, across all ages of the car.

    Recall 14V3550002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check that all warning lights, turn signals, flashers and door locks work, and that the key turns and releases smoothly. Ask about any fuse or wiring repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving the car it was doing just fine once I parked the car came back to start the car the engine would turn over but it would not start once I had tried about 12 times it decided to start and there was something blowing sounding like it just might be the air on sometime I would come to the start the car battery would be dead”

    NHTSA complaint #11208515, filed 2019-05, 164,000 miles

    “There seems to be a wiring problem with my vehicle I believe the manufacturer is aware and is ignoring the problem, I have heard of vehicle fires on this particular model (Cadillac Deville 2004) the fuses seem inadequate and blow frequently on equipment such as cruise control daytime running light and cigarette lighter.”

    NHTSA complaint #10160344, filed 2006-06, 50,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, be most careful with steering effort in wet conditions, whether every window works, and whether the ignition recall has been completed, since these come up repeatedly in owner complaints. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored codes and a wet-weather steering check is worth arranging.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 167 consumer complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Deville. 136 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,686 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 14 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 404 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (3), Seats (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Equipment (2), Exterior lighting (2), Body and structure (2), Tires (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Car will not start when I turn the key checked the fuses all good check the battery good. Then it started next day drove home from work and power turned off in the middle of the street power steering started to lock as I managed to pull off in to a parking lot. Started once again, made it home. Next day was able to stard vehicle drove to work, once it was time for me to head home tried starting car and nothing nothing I can open trunk with key fob can't open gas tank door from inside manually. My car is saying air bag light constantly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11322216, filed 2020-04, 17,000 miles

Steering: “Whenever it rains or there is high humidity, the power steering completely locks up. I was almost in an accident yesterday due to this, and have had the problem before also. This is a serious defect. I have been to the dealership and they claim there is no recall or known way to fix it.”

NHTSA complaint #10346014, filed 2010-07, 57,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “2004 Cadillac Deville I have also had three window regulator (raise-lower) mechanism failures in the last year. Current mileage is about 82,000 miles and car is otherwise properly maintained. I also had the knee bumper below the steering wheel fall off and it too had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10355163, filed 2010-09, 82,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall. One day was driving all was well it had just sprinkled before ia left home. Roads were whet I slowed down to cross rr tracks when increased gas tires slipped or spun a lil,from bumps on tracks and acceleration made numerous sensors I think got faulty. Suspension traction, service engine soon,, ABS, and air bag. I reset information control center. But with in 3 mins after you take off they all light up again ABS I just changed brake pads 4 months ago there still under warranty.going with ceramic this time. I also have 2 PSI sensors out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11081952, filed 2018-03, 145,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 136 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 92,030 miles.

5%0–107%10–2521%25–5026%50–7516%75–10021%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (136 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,686 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’04’07’10’1362’16’19’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Cadillac Deville. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Deville · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Cadillac Deville version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
DeVille FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Cadillac Deville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 404 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 404 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Deville

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20059575,5001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200416768,6861—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200314568,5004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200217659,0005—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200117574,2384—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200022570,0005—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199918765,5551—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199823774,2113—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199726982,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199621885,5752—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995129104,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199412788,6900—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199392113,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992135110,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19918797,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199076100,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198948143,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198828—0—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198740108,1001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198622—2———Stable
198519—1———Stable
1984690,9950———Not enough data
19835—0———Not enough data

All Cadillac Deville model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Deville?

Owners of this model year most often report power steering that becomes hard or impossible to turn in wet weather, power window regulators that let the glass drop into the door, and stalling or loss of power while driving. The issues reported most often: Power steering quits, often in rain; Power window glass falls into the door; Engine stalls or loses power while driving.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Cadillac Deville have?

NHTSA recorded 167 consumer complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Cadillac Deville is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 47 complaints (28% of the total), followed by steering with 36.

Has the 2004 Cadillac Deville been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac Deville get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Cadillac Deville (DeVille, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Cadillac Deville reported?

Among the 136 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,686 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 92,030 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.