CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year

2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE

132 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005CADILLACDEVILLE carries 132 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 1 fire, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 DEVILLE is electrical system with 32 filings, followed by steering (28) and air bags (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2005 DEVILLE, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

132
Complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

132 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
STEERING28
AIR BAGS17
ENGINE10
SERVICE BRAKES5
SEATS3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
TIRES2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SUSPENSION2
POWER TRAIN2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
WHEELS2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2

Recalls (1)

14V35500023/06/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certai

Recent Complaints

20190124STEERING

WHEN YOU DRIVE THRU A PUDDLE OF WATER THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WORKS LIKE NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.

Mileage: 86,000

20171107SERVICE BRAKES

ON THE ROAD FAILURE OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE DUE TO RUST CORROSION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 63,000

20170831STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN. THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20170719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY A/C RUNS AT WILL. OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. RUNNING, STATIONARY, AND IN MOTION. MY HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE EVER THOUGH THEY ARE TURNED OFF. MY ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE BATTERY AND ALL CHECKED OUT FINE AT TWO LOCAL PARTS /BATTERY STORES JULY 18TH 2017. BOTH WERE REPLACED IN MAY OF 2016. THE DISPLAY PANEL FOR THE A/C SHOWS BOTH THE FAN ICON AND THE AUTO ICON. THE AUTO ICON WILL NOT TURN OFF. SEARCHING ON LINE FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MAKE AND MODEL SHOW MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NO ANSWERS. THIS BEGAN JULY 6TH AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AS IN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY.

Mileage: 125,000

20170322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

20161115CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS HIT HEAD-ON. THE IGNITION TURNED OFF AFTER BEING HIT AND THE SEAT- BELTS DID NOT DEPLOY. I STOPPED AND MY HAND WAS ON THE HORN BUT THE PERSON DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP.I WAS ON A CITY STREET.I WAS HURT AND HAD NECK SURGERY. GM IS TELLING ME THEY WILL LOOK BACK INTO IT AFTER DENIAL THAT WAS IT DUE TO THE RECALL. THEY SOLD THE CAR AS SALVAGE WHEN THE INSURANCE TOTALED IT. THE CAR WAS THEN SOLD WITH A SALVAGE TITLE. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AFTER TELLING ME MY ACCIDENT INJURIES WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL.

Mileage: 92,000

20161115CrashELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS HIT HEAD-ON. THE IGNITION TURNED OFF AFTER BEING HIT AND THE SEAT- BELTS DID NOT DEPLOY. I STOPPED AND MY HAND WAS ON THE HORN BUT THE PERSON DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP.I WAS ON A CITY STREET.I WAS HURT AND HAD NECK SURGERY. GM IS TELLING ME THEY WILL LOOK BACK INTO IT AFTER DENIAL THAT WAS IT DUE TO THE RECALL. THEY SOLD THE CAR AS SALVAGE WHEN THE INSURANCE TOTALED IT. THE CAR WAS THEN SOLD WITH A SALVAGE TITLE. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AFTER TELLING ME MY ACCIDENT INJURIES WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL.

Mileage: 92,000

20160919CrashAIR BAGS

CAR WAS HIT IN BACK WHILE STOPPED IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON US 75 SOUTH OF DURANT OKLAHOMA AND KNOCKED INTO CAR STOPPED IN FRONT. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE.

Mileage: 100,000

20160127CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OVER A CURB, AND INTO A FIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20151026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING ON A LOCAL FREEWAY, MY IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF. I WAS ONLY GOING 55 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFICE. I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL & RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT FOR A SHORT PERIOD I WAS WITH LIMITED BRAKING AND STEERING. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING I AM CERTAIN THE OUTCOME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS GOOD. AFTER THIS I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CORRECTIVE RECALL COMPLIED WITH. THEY ADJUSTED THE SIZE OF THE HOLE ON MY KEYS - THIS WAS THE FIX. HOWEVER, CHANGING THE SIZE OF THE KEY HOLE DOES NOTHING TO PREVENT MY IGNITION SWITCH FROM "POPPING' TO OFF. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE MENTIONED, I HAD ONLY A SINGLE KEY IN PLACE. I CONTACTED CADILLAC ABOUT THIS AND THEIR REPLY HAS BEEN THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE KEY HOLE CHANGE & DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. FURTHER, THEY INDICATEDTHAT I COULD HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGED FOR $1090.00.

Mileage: 150,000

20151002CrashENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING TWO BROKEN FEET AND A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20151002CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING TWO BROKEN FEET AND A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20151002CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING TWO BROKEN FEET AND A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20150906VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CHANGES POSITION, POINTING DOWN TO THE GROUND, ERRATICALLY, USUALLY WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING THE CAR, OR INSERTING THE KEY, EVEN THOUGH I AM ALWAYS USING DRIVER #1 KEY. I CAN RESET IT, USE THE MEMORY BUTTON TO SAVE THE POSITION. IT MAY WORK FOR SEVERAL STOPS DURING A SHOPPING TRIP, THEN CHANGE AGAIN ON IT'S OWN. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WHEN I WANT TO CHANGE LANES I LOOK AT THE MIRROR AND IT IS POINTED TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER WHERE I ALWAYS TAKE MY CAR FOR SERVICE, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 155,000

20150831STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20150806STEERING

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A FEW WEEKS BUT ABOUT FIVE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN. IT RETURNS IN SECONDS BUT I AM DISABLED AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO CONTROL THE CAR. LUCKILY, THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS. I'M AFRAID OF BEING KILLED. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, DO FOLKS HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GM FIXES THE PROBLEM?

Mileage: 97,500

20150708ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20150612ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 167,000

20150319FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DURING WINTER DRIVING, TURNED ON THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, FELT THE FINGERS OF MY LEFT HAND BEGIN TO BURN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL COVER. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED OFF THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, THE SMOKING STOPPED. I HAVE NOT USED THAT FEATURE SINCE, HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED. CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM, DID NOT FIND ANY. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20150204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF VEHICLE BEING RECALLED UNTIL 9 YEARS LATER. *TA THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

Compare 2005CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?
The 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 132 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 1 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
Yes, the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 32 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.