FaultScore

Cadillac Seville engine problems

204 of the 1,049 complaints filed about the Cadillac Seville are about the engine — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

204

Complaints

19%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

15

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1983 Seville 1 0.5%
1985 Seville 1 0.5%
1986 Seville 6 2.9%
1987 Seville 1 0.5%
1988 Seville 2 1.0%
1989 Seville 1 0.5%

Median failure at 156,000 miles

1990 Seville 1 0.5%
1991 Seville 1 0.5%
1992 Seville 3 1.5%
1993 Seville 10 4.9%

Median failure at 124,974 miles

1994 Seville 26 12.7%

Median failure at 147,295 miles

1995 Seville 16 7.8%

Median failure at 103,592 miles

1996 Seville 30 14.7%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

1997 Seville 23 11.3%

Median failure at 93,879 miles

1998 Seville 22 10.8%

Median failure at 78,600 miles

1999 Seville 27 13.2%

Median failure at 48,776 miles

2000 Seville 10 4.9%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2001 Seville 10 4.9%

Median failure at 46,020 miles

2002 Seville 10 4.9%

Median failure at 67,500 miles

2003 Seville 2 1.0%

Median failure at 2,750 miles

2004 Seville 1 0.5%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

What owners said

1996 Cadillac Seville at 100,000 miles Hudson, FL Fire

ENGINE

The contact owned a 1996 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated while parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vents. The contact was able to exit the vehicle, and once the contact exited the vehicle, the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11497745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Cadillac Seville at 89,007 miles Buffalo, NY

ENGINE

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.

2002 Cadillac Seville Cleveland, GA Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

WHILE STOPPED BEHIND 3 VEHICLES AT A STOPLIGHT I FLORIDA A FEMALE WHO SAID SHE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH DRIVING HER HUSBANDS STICK SHIFT VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME PULLED AROUND HER WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THIS LEFT ABOUT TWENTY FEET BETWEEN MY CAR AND HERS. SHE ACCIDENTALLY PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED INTO MINE AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I STARTED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR SHE PULLED FORWARD FIFTEEN TO TWENTY FEET BEFORE THE ENGINE OF HER CAR QUIT. AS I WATCHED TO SEE WHAT SHE WAS DOING SHE GOT THE CAR STARTED AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN HITTING MY CAR AGAIN. SHE DID THIS THREE TIMES BEFORE GETTING IT IN A FORWARD GEAR AND MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT THE CAR ENGINE STALLING. AT NO TIME DID DURING THIS DID THE AIRBAGS IN THE SEVILLE DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #11100458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Seville at 102,000 miles Elsmere, KY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED, AND THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH. AS A RESULT, IT CAUSED THE PRESSURE TO LEAD THROUGH THE HEAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA complaint #10983495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Cadillac Seville at 294,853 miles Columbus, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 294,853.

NHTSA complaint #10862706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Cadillac Seville at 103,000 miles Binghamton, NY Fire

ENGINE

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.

2000 Cadillac Seville at 128,000 miles Chicago, IL Crash

ENGINE

ON 05/2014 I CAME TO A STOP SIGN THEN I MOVE ON TO GET ACROSS THE STREET WHEN MY CADILLAC SHUT DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL CONTROLS THE ENGINE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AS MY CAR LAYS DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET A VEHICLE GOING WEST HIT MY RIGHT FRONT END SO HARD IT TWISTED HOOD, FRONT DOORS, FENDERS AND ENGINE PARTS FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE I DROPPED MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL SHE COULD HAVE DIE IN THIS INCIDENT DUE TO FAILURE OF AIRBAGS THEY NEVER DEPLOYED THREE MONTHS LATER I RECEIVE A RECALL # 14299 I CALL SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING [XXX] CEO, THEY ALL LIE TO ME BY TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CADILLAC WHEN THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO THE CAR I ALSO OWN A COBALT 2007 RECALLED ON 04/2014 I AM STILL WAITING FOR BOTH CARS TO BE FIXED LIKE THE LAW REQUIRES AS FOR MY 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE SITS IN MY GARAGE WITH $10,000.00 WORTH OF REPAIR COST GENERAL MOTORS REFUSE A HALF OF DOZEN TIMES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE OF THE CADILLAC ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS, AIRBAGS, BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND ALL THE ITEMS THAT COULD HAVE END AS A FATALITY TO A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY INCLUDING MYSELF. 12/24/2014. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10667959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Cadillac Seville at 125,000 miles Manassas, VA

ENGINE

CAR STARTS WITH SEVERAL TURNING OF THE KEY. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 2+ MINUTES. I HAVE NO CONVIDENCE IN MY CAR ANYMORE. IT SUCH A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10653406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Cadillac Seville at 137,000 miles Sanderson, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES WITHIN AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 8/11/14

NHTSA complaint #10596577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Cadillac Seville at 50,000 miles Adena, OH

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10593146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Cadillac Seville at 50,000 miles Adena, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10593146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Cadillac Seville at 20,000 miles SAN Carlos, CA

ENGINE

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.

1996 Cadillac Seville at 80,000 miles Boise, ID

ENGINE

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.

2002 Cadillac Seville at 50,000 miles Largo, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT A NEWLY DESIGNED CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS INSTALLED WHICH CORRECTED THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10573255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Cadillac Seville Media, PA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

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.

2002 Cadillac Seville at 85,000 miles Fairfax Station, VA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #10568377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Cadillac Seville at 128,000 miles Airfield, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #10511394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Cadillac Seville at 170,000 miles Reading, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS GOING TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS BECAUSE OF AN EMISSION PROBLEM. CYLINDER 4 WAS MISFIRING.

NHTSA complaint #10480108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Cadillac Seville at 138,000 miles Stanton, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR OF FUMES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO INCREASE RAPIDLY TO HOT. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF COOLANT LEAKAGE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #10438577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Cadillac Seville Detroit, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DIAGNOSTIC CHECK RESULTS: RANDOM MIX-FIRE (TUNE UP) SECONDARY AIR INJECTION EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SENSOR (PRESSURE IN TANK) TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID (INSIDE TRANSMISSION) ENGINE METAL OVER TEMP. STRUT & MAINTENANCE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAINS ON.

NHTSA complaint #10423154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Cadillac Seville problems