2004 Cadillac DeVille
The 2004 Cadillac DeVille is a full-size luxury sedan known for its comfortable ride and spacious interior. Available engine options included the 4.6L Northstar V8. The Northstar V8 produced 275 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. People generally liked the DeVille for its smooth ride, comfortable seats, and classic Cadillac styling. Common dislikes include the somewhat dated interior styling, and some reliability concerns associated with the Northstar engine. All engines were paired with the 4T80E 4-speed automatic transmission.
Engine
4.6L Northstar V8
- Head Gasket Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Overheating, coolant loss, white smoke from the exhaust, and milky residue under the oil filler cap. The Northstar engine is known for head bolt threads pulling from the aluminum block, leading to coolant entering the cylinders.
- Solution: Repairing the head gasket on a Northstar engine typically involves removing the cylinder heads, machining the surfaces, and installing new head gaskets along with time-sert or similar thread repair inserts in the block to provide a stronger hold for the head bolts.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $5,000+
- Recalls: None Found
- Oil Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, burning oil smell, low oil level. Common leak points include the valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking gasket or seal. Multiple resealing procedures may be required.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ depending on the location of the leak.
- Recalls: None Found
- Ignition Coil Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Misfires, rough idling, reduced power, and the check engine light illuminating. The Northstar engine has individual coil-on-plug ignition coils that can fail over time.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty ignition coil(s).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300 per coil depending on labor.
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
4T80E 4-Speed Automatic
- Harsh Shifting
- Description/Symptoms: Abrupt or jerky shifts between gears, especially when cold.
- Solution: A transmission service, including a fluid and filter change, might alleviate the issue. If the problem persists, it could indicate a worn valve body or other internal damage.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300 for a service; $800 - $2,500+ for a valve body replacement or rebuild.
- Recalls: None Found
- Slipping
- Description/Symptoms: Engine revs high without corresponding acceleration, or delayed engagement when shifting into drive or reverse.
- Solution: Could indicate worn clutches or other internal components. Requires a transmission rebuild or replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Air Suspension Compressor Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Rear of the car sagging, the air suspension warning light illuminating, and the air compressor running constantly or not at all.
- Solution: Replacing the air suspension compressor, and potentially the air springs/shocks if they are leaking.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ depending on parts needed.
- Recalls: None Found
- Air Ride Shocks
- Description/Symptoms: Harsh ride or sagging ride height due to leaks in the air shocks.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking air shocks.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $1,200+ for replacing both rear air shocks.
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Battery Drain
- Description/Symptoms: Battery draining overnight or within a few days, requiring frequent jump starts.
- Solution: Finding the parasitic drain by testing each fuse in the vehicle.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ depending on the complexity of the drain.
- Recalls: None Found
- Instrument Cluster Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Intermittent or complete failure of the instrument cluster, including the speedometer, tachometer, and other gauges.
- Solution: Repairing or replacing the instrument cluster. Sometimes resoldering connections can fix the problem.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ depending on the repair method.
- Recalls: None Found
- Power Window/Door Lock Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: Power windows not working, door locks malfunctioning, or issues with the central locking system.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty window motor, door lock actuator, or repairing wiring issues.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+ per window/door.
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Headlight Housing Clouding/Yellowing
- Description/Symptoms: Headlight lenses becoming cloudy or yellowed, reducing headlight output.
- Solution: Polishing the headlight lenses or replacing the headlight assemblies.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200+ for polishing; $200 - $600+ for replacement assemblies.
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Climate Control Issues
- Description/Symptoms: The HVAC system blowing hot air when cold is selected, or vice versa. Can also have issues with the blend door actuators.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty blend door actuator or repairing the climate control module.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+
- Recalls: None Found
- Radio/Navigation System Problems
- Description/Symptoms: Radio not working, navigation system malfunctioning, or issues with the speakers.
- Solution: Repairing or replacing the radio/navigation unit or troubleshooting wiring issues.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,000+ depending on the problem.
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2004 Cadillac DeVille, while offering a luxurious and comfortable ride, has some notable reliability issues. The most significant concern is the potential for head gasket failure in the 4.6L Northstar V8 engine, which can be a costly repair. Other common problems include oil leaks, transmission issues, and electrical malfunctions. The severity of these issues ranges from minor annoyances to major repairs. The cost to address these problems can vary significantly, from a few hundred dollars for a simple repair to several thousand for an engine or transmission rebuild. Prospective buyers should carefully inspect the vehicle for these common issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchasing decision.