107 of the
1,049 complaints filed about the Cadillac Seville
are about the electrical system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,007.
NHTSA complaint #11408255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL AND RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10980227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT OR WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT INTO THE AIR BAG COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND OTHER UNKNOWN PARTS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
NHTSA complaint #10940061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASS KEY LOCK WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT) AND 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #10920198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ UPDATED 05/11/18*JB
NHTSA complaint #10810113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE WERE BEING AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED ELEVEN GASKETS WITHIN THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATE 1/13/16 LN
NHTSA complaint #10786997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA complaint #10782539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 CADILLAC SLS THE IGNITION JUST SHUT OFF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING I CAME TO A STOP AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK. AT THE POINT I HAD TO REMOVE MY KEY AND PUT IT BACK IN TO START MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WHILE GOING 65 MPH WE HAD TO COME TO A STOP AND REMOVE THE KEY TO START THE CAR. THIS ALSO HAPPENS SOME TIMES AFTER I DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE MY CAR WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE CALLED GM AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AFTER THE LARGE RECALL ON THE IGNITION RECALL THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS GM STEP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT I JUST HOPE IT IS NOT ME. GM YOU HAVE A IGNITION PROBLEM IN CADILLAC SLS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10660144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #10655392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS VEHICLE IS FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A DELCO/BOSE SOUND SYSTEM. I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AND 1/4 MILE, THE RADIO SOUND BECAME DISTORTED AND INTERRUPTED. THE VEHICLE'S VOLTAGE DISPLAY INDICATED 13.3 VOLTS, RATHER THAN THE NORMAL 14.2 OR ABOVE. I TURNED OFF THE RADIO. I NOTICED AN ODOR I IDENTIFIED AS "HOT ELECTRICAL." I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEY. VISIBLE SMOKE WAS FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR RADIO SPEAKER UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. I OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD TO ACCESS THE BATTERY AND OPENED THE TRUNK. THE TRUNK LINER MATERIAL ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUNK BETWEEN THE SEAT BACK AND TRUNK OPENING WAS BURNING. THE FLAMES WERE SPREADING IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN CENTERED ON THE LEFT REAR SPEAKER. I PULLED THE BURNING MATERIAL FROM THE VEHICLE AS MY FRIEND BROUGHT ME A DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I PUT OUT THE FIRE AS ANOTHER FRIEND DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. THESE SPEAKERS HAVE AN ELECTRONIC MODULE MOUNTED TO THEM. THE MODULE WAS BURNED AND THE WIRES LEADING TO IT WERE BURNED AS FAR BACK AS THE TRUNK LINING MATERIAL HAD BURNED. I ISOLATED THE BURNED MODULE AND DAMAGED PORTION OF THE WIRES LEADING TO IT BY CUTTING THE WIRE HARNESS. I INSULATED THE WIRES AND CONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE RADIO PLAYED NORMALLY THROUGH THE REMAINING SPEAKERS. THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR SHOWED NORMAL VOLTAGE, 14.2 - 14.3 VOLTS. I OBSERVED NO ANOMALIES OR WARNINGS. NO FUSES NOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIPPED TO INTERRUPT THE POWER TO THE MODULE AND PREVENT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE SPEAKER AND SURROUNDING TRUNK LINING MATERIAL. I AM SURE IF THIS ISSUE BEGAN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10627490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON FIVE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS, THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10609387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS ON ENGINE POWER AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS 37,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 09/15/2014
NHTSA complaint #10607283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD JUST STOP, IT WOULDN'T START WHILE MOVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR STOP WHERE I WAS AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN IT WOULD RESTART. ONLY TO STOP AGAIN, EVERY THING WENT DEAD, LIGHTS, ENGINE, INTERIOR GAGES EVERYTHING. LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AIR BAGS, EVERYTHING STOPPED. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR OVER A YEAR BEFORE THEY FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH (KEY TYPE) WAS THE PROBLEM AND ONCE REPLACED THE CAR HAS FUNCTIONED WELL SINCE. BUT I FOUND MYSELF ONLY DRIVING ON SIDE STREETS KEEPING THE VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEEDS AND OFTEN NOT DRIVING IT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME WHILE THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE VEHICLE TRYING TO FIX IT. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT AS THE MONTHS PASSED IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT UNTIL IT WAS EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR. UPDATED 11/24/2014
NHTSA complaint #10592246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY OLD 2000 GM CADILLAC STS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM - IT WAS SOME SORT OF DEFECT. NOTE THAT IT WAS "REPAIRED" IN BETWEEN THE INCIDENTS, DO IT WAS NOT THE SAME INITIAL PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT BACK THEN, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. THE MECHANICS AT THE PALO ALTO CADILLAC DEALER SEEMED TO KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAILURE OF SOME SENSORS ON THE FLYWHEEL. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CURRENT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. HAVING A VEHICLE STALL AT 65 MILE PER HOUR IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY ENDED UP IN AN ACCIDENT IF I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW CARS WORK. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE CAR. MY POINT IS, THERE WAS A DEFECT ON THIS CAR THAT APPEARED TO BE KNOWN BY GM, AND WAS ALSO IGNORED. THE COMPLAINT WAS IGNORED BY THE NHTSA. I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO INQUIRE WITH GM WHAT WAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT. AS I WROTE - THEY SEEMED TO HAVE KNOWN THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, AND JUST REPAIRED IT, RATHER THAN UNDERSTAND THE RISK THEY WERE MAKING US TAKE. I ENDED UP SELLING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10577793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSORS, SPARKS PLUGS AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. . THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSORS,WIRING, SPARKS PLUGS AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IS THE SAME FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONTACT'S YEAR MAKE OR MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07-23-14 *BF UPDATED 7/31/14
NHTSA complaint #10573986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY SON ALMOST DIED ON OCTOBER 25, 2013 IN HIS 1999 CADILLAC SEVILLE IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHILE HE WAS RELAXING IN IT WITH HIS DOG. HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP WAITING FOR HIS MOTHER/MY WIFE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. HE NEEDED TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOW AND PULL HIS DOG THROUGH THE WINDOW. HE INJURED HIMSELF AND WENT TO HOSPITAL. THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE ENGINE FELL APART FROM HEAT, THE CABIN WAS DESTROYED, FRONT TIRES ARE GONE/MELTED WHILE TRUNK AND GAS TANK WERE RELATIVELY FINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THIS DISASTER IN OUR DRIVEWAY. MY SON ALSO LOST VARIOUS PERSONAL POSSESSIONS AND HIS TRANSPORTATION TO WORK. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE MY SON'S NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND THE ONLY THING GM SAYS IS THAT THE FIRE DAMAGED THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING IT CAN DO. IT ALSO HAS INFORMED ME THAT IF I WISH TO TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION, I MUST RETAIN THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS A BURNED-OUT SHELL OF A VEHICLE IN OUR FRONT DRIVEWAY. IT IS A REMINDER EVERY DAY THAT MY SON ALMOST DIED IN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A HIGH QUALITY CAR AND GM DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS. I WAS HOPING THAT GM WOULD RESOLVE THIS MATTER IN A REASONABLE MANNER SO MY SON COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH HIS LIFE. HE LOST SEVERAL PERSONAL AFFECTS, HIS PRESCRIPTION EYE GLASSES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND MONEY HE HAD WITHDRAWN TO GIVE TO MY WIFE FOR A SCHOOL BILL. I ALSO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE OUR BONNEVILLE FOR 5 MONTHS BECAUSE THE CADILLAC IS BLOCKING ACCESS TO IT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO THAT WILL RESOLVE THIS MATTER IN A FAIR MANNER? WE NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FROM GM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10568647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RADIO COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10487207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A GROUNDED FUSE CAUSED A FAILURE TO THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10466621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.