Owners filed 50 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
8
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
7
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
3
3
0
2
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
2
0
0
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
2
0
1
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
2
0
2
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner94V158000
Filed Aug 31, 199456,269 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CONTACTS THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUT HOSE, THE HOSE MAY WEAR THROUGH ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk. AN OIL LEAK THAT CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO RETAIN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE TO THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ASSURING ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OF THE AFFECTED HOSE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Vehicle Speed Control93V164000
Filed Oct 1, 19938,545 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE RETAINING BRACKET.
Risk. THE DISENGAGED THROTTLE CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THETHROTTLE CAM MECHANISM, RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE STICKING IN EITHER THE OPENPOSITION OR CLOSED POSITION. WHEN THE THROTTLE STICKS IN THE OPEN POSITION,UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WILL OCCUR WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy. INSPECT THROTTLE CABLES TO ENSURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE IS FULLY SEATED IN THE RETAINING BRACKET AND INSTALL A CABLE TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE CABLE IN ITS CORRECT SEAT.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 22, 2014188,000 milesTN
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 -
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 11, 2006CA
THE THROTTLE IS STILL OPEN AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE MOVEMENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. SIMILAR TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V164000. *NM
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2006140 milesAL
I OWN A 1994 CADILLAC 4 DOOR SEVILLE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. RECENTLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TUNE UP THE VEHICLE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER COVERING THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR MOUNTED ON THE FIREWALL HAD LITERALLY BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE. THIS EXPOSED THE INSIDE INSULATION WHICH IS WITHIN INCHES OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF NOT PROTECTED. I HAVE TAKEN DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE AREA AND CAN PRESENT THEM TO THE NHTSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE BLOWER MOTOR PLASTIC COVER JUST LITERALLY FALLS OFF THE FIREWALL..ITS CRACKS LIKE THE CHOCOLATE COVERING A CAKE SO TO SPEAK..TOUCH IT AND IT JUST FLAKES OFF IN CHUNKS LIKE YOU WERE BREAKING A CANDY BAR IN HALF. I HAVE ALSO SAVED SOME OF THOSE PIECES FOR YOUR PERUSAL. NOW THE PROBLEM IS THE MORE I DRIVE, THE MORE PLASTIC FALLS OFF THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I AM AFRAID THAT AFTER A WHILE I WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH OUT THE CHANCE OF A FIRE IN THAT AREA. *JB
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core1 injured
Filed Nov 17, 2005TX
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE FELT BOILING WATER HIT HIS FEET. HE HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND PARK IT. THIS CAUSED BURNS TO BOTH OF HIS FEET. HE IS A MECHANIC AND FEELS IT IS BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE BUSTED. HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE BURNS TO HIS FEET. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 26, 200598,380 milesPA
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT IN 7-04. HE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000. WHEN HE DROPPED THE FUEL TANK TO GET TO THE FUEL PUMP HE NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES GOING INTO THE PUMP WERE BLACK. WHEN HE UNSCREWED THE PUMP HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WERE WIRES WERE FRIED. HE TOOK THE FUEL PUMP TO A COUPLE OF CAR PARTS RETAIL PLACES, AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT WHEN RUN NINES THE CAR A LOT THE FUEL PUMP LOOKED LIKE THAT, THE WIRES WERE FRIED TOGETHER. THE MECHANIC IMPLIED THAT HE HAD SEEN A LOT OF FUEL PUMPS IN CADILLAC THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT. ALSO, TOLD THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS SEALED IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL NOT CATCH ON FIRE.*AK
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core1 injured
Filed Jul 22, 2005147,295 milesAZ
1994 CADILLAC SEVILLE HAD HOT COOLANT POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FOOT CAUSING SEVERE BURNS.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE HEATER CORE HAD RUPTURED, IN ADDITION THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE WATER PUMP WATER PUMP HOUSING, HOSES AND THERMOSTAT. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 25, 2005OH
OIL WAS LEAKING OUT THE LOWER CRANK CASE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER, AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 12, 2004UT
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 1, 2004104,000 milesCT
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *AK *SC THE VEHICLE HIT A LIGHT POLE. *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 200411,900 milesDC
I CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SYSTEM OVERHEATING AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DOING ANYTHING IN HELPING ME WITH THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TOWTRUCK. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BEFORE MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRED AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THE BRAKES WERE BAD ON THE CAR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD A HOLE IN IT.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › RotorFire
Filed Nov 8, 2003116,000 milesOR
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO SMOKE AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER REPLACED THE REAR CALIPERS/ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER CALLED GMC, AND WAS TOLD THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED CONSUMER WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. *AK
Electrical System
Filed Mar 3, 2003FL
THE POSITIVE POST OF THE BATTERY WAS CRACKED AND LEAKED ACID. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM HAD FAILED DUE TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT CORRODING. SCC *JB
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables
Filed Jan 3, 200363,070 milesFL
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE'S POSITVE BATTERY POST WILL OPEN CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AND UNABLE TO START. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS DEALERSHIP STATED STRESS ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DIE OUT, THE BATTERY TO CRACK AND LEAK ACID. CORROSION WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE BATTERY TRAY AND THE BATTERY AND CABLES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE FOURTH BATTERY REPLACED. *TT
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 16, 2002NJ
THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CRANK CASE LOWER SEAL ON THE 4.6 NORTHSTAR ENGINE AND MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. OIL LEAK IS HITTING EXAUST AND CAT CONVERTER WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL FOR REPAIR. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE , BUT NO RECALL. I WANT A FIX!!! LOCAL DEALER WANTS OVER $2000 FOR REPAIR! DT
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Aug 18, 2002CA
ON 7/25/01, ENGINE OVERHEATED AS PER ENGINE SCREEN. 255 DEGREES. REPLACED "FAILED THERMOSTAT" TOPPED OFF COOLANT AND RECHECKED. CAR SMELLED LIKE ENGINE HOT. VEHICLE LOST COOLANT. CALLED PUTNAM CADILLAC/BUICK. THEY CHANGED OIL & CHECKED. NO DETECTION OF OVERHEATING. 7/23/02 CAR DRIVEN TO PUTNAM CADILLAC. $5,153 CHARGED TO TEAR DOWN HEADS & FOUND 5 STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS ON FRONT BANK AND ONE ON REAR BANK. SIX TOTAL THREAD REPAIRS. CYLINDER HEAD PRESSURE TESTED. RESURFACED & RESET VALVES. 6 HELI COILS INSTALLED. REINSTALL CYLINDER HEADS AFTER MACHINE SHOP REPAIRS. HEADS WERE CHECKED FOR WARPAGE DUE TO EXTREME HEAT CAUSED BY MANUFACTURER'S OVER-TORQUING THE HEAD BOLTS AND SPINNING THEM IN THEIR THREADS. NEW VALVE SEALS ADDED. REPLACED WATER PUMP. CADILLAC SERVICING CENTER REVEALED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER 94 SLS CADILLACS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AT OTHER SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE THE SAME FLAW OF "LOOSE HEADBOLTS COMING LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING HEAD GASKETS TO LEAK & OVERHEATING." THIS IS DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE STATES "SHUT OFF ENGINE" THIS OCCURRED JULY 23, 2002 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT . WE HAD TO PULL OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND ALLOW THE CAR'S TEMPERATURE TO DECLINE. WE LIMPED HOME DANGEROUSLY BY HAVING TO DRIVE SLOWLY AND STOP SEVERAL TIMES TO KEEP THE TEMPERATURE DOWN.*AK
Tires
Filed Jun 25, 2002MI
TIRE WAS SO HOT INSERT ON HUB CAPE BLEW OFF CAR.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 2, 2002VA
ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING UP MOUNTAIN ROAD DUE TO OVERHEATING. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS DUE TO LOOSENING OF HEAD BOLTS. PROBLEM IS USE OF STEEL BOLTS DIRECTLY IN ALUMINUM BLOCK WHICH VIBRATE LOOSE OVER TIME, CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. WIDELY RECOGNIZED PROBLEM BY REPAIR SHOPS AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL SEVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS REPAIR; NEVERTHELESS CADILLAC CLAIMS IT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY DESIGN DEFECT AND REFUSES TO ASSIST WITH REPAIR. REPAIR COST $4,600 TO REBUILD ENGINE OR $7,800 TO REPLACE ENGINE. PROBLEM DEVELOPED WITH NO WARNING AND CAUSED OCCUPANT AND FAMILY TO BE STRANDED.*AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Feb 23, 2002MI
CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. IT WAS STARTED, ALLOWED TO RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN MOVED APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET TO ANOTHER LOCATION IN OUR YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS REMOVED. ABOUT 20 MIN. LATER, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BURNING PIECES OF PLASTIC WERE SEEN FALLING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. TWO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE EMPTIED IN ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FINALLY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE CONTACTED THE PRODUCT ALLEGATIONS DEPT. AT CADILLAC. THEY ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR LOSS. OUR INSURANCE HAD EXPIRED 11 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE. THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY US OR OUR LEIN HOLDER THAT WE NO LONGER HAD INSURANCE ON THE CAR. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jan 24, 2002CA
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH ON A WET ROAD APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING A VEHICLE IN FRONT, BUT BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND VEHICLE CRASHED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 24, 2002CA
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH REAR ENDED A VEHICLE IN FRONT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER FELT THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A PRIOR ACCIDENT DUE TO AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Aug 31, 1994. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.