1997 Cadillac Seville

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 95 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
93,400 milesMedian miles at failure

38 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
100
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail6
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion5
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
020
Air Bags › Frontal4
202
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer3
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump3
000
Steering3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V110000
Filed Mar 4, 2004483,477 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip97V064000
Filed Apr 28, 1997156,910 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 202189,007 milesNY

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.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 24, 2017CA

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.

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2014137,000 milesFL

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*CN

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 30, 201387,200 milesIL

HIT A SPEED BUMP - LOUD NOISE - COULD BARELY BRAKE - AVOID COLLISION AND AFTER EVENTUALLY BEING ABLE TO STOP; LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FLUID GUSHING OUT LIKE A RAINSTORM. CALL INSURANCE COMPANY WHO STATED IT WAS A COLLISION; HOWEVER, REPAIR SHOP AND ADJUSTER FOR INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN DUE TO RUSTING AND CRACKING OF BRAKE LINE, ETC. AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR - AUTO REPAIR DID SEND A PAPER SHOWING A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA ID: 04V110000 ON JUNE 2, 2004 DEALING WITH FUEL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION WHICH MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. I INFORMED NOT ONLY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE REPAIR SHOP, AND I ALSO CALLED CADILLAC AT L-8---458-8006, ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SINCE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FROM CADILLAC, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THEM. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 19, 201281,000 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 25, 2010173,000 milesID

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010 I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 5 HRS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 26, 200987,000 milesOH

97 CADILLAC SEVILLE,CLUNCKING IN FRONT END ,RACK AND PINION,CAN FEEL THE NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION. STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR IN A TURN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 27, 2009190,000 milesPA

BRAKE LINE FAILURE - 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS - 4.6L ENGINE - REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED - DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND ABRASION CAUSED BY NORMAL USAGE - BRAKE FLUID LOSS LEADS TO NO PEDDLE PRESSURE AND GREATLY DIMINISHED OR ZERO BRAKING CAPABILITY. SUGGEST RECALL TO INSPECT ABRADED BRAKES LINES. *TR

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Jun 17, 2009144,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. LESS THAN 72 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UPON STARTING. FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND WERE EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH WAS ESCALATED TO HIGHER AUTHORITIES. THE CONTACT IS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 144,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 5, 2009110,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING COOLANT (MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED) AT A VAST RATE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. IN ADDITION, THE HEATING GAUGE WOULD SPORADICALLY MOVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 29, 2009138,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE SIMULTANEOUSLY DURING NON-ABS APPLICATIONS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 139,000. UPDATED 6/22/09 *CN THE HORN, FAN BLOWER AND STABILIZER LINK WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/25/09.*JB

Steering
Filed Sep 5, 2008130,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,020.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 12, 2008120,100 milesMD

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 60 TO 65 MILES AN HOUR, THE DISTANCE BEFORE THE MALFUNCTION BEGAN WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES BEFORE MY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY WERE APPLIED DURING A NON BRAKING APPLICATION. THE CADILLAC STS SLOWED DOWN INTO A CAR THAT HIT MY REAR BUMPER. I TRIED TO RECOVER FROM THE BUMP. AS AN RESULT, THE MOMENTUM SENT ME INTO A ROCKY BUT GRASSY DITCHED AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT OF THE EBTCM FAILING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY BUMPER WAS DAMAGED, FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED, ALONG WITH MY STEERING AND STRUTS. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE EBTCM AND THE REMEDY HAS BEEN THAT A INSPECTOR WILL EVALUATE THE CAR THEN NEXT(....) I WILL BE NOTIFIED WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL REPAIRED. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED MAJORITY OF THE TIME SINCE MY INCIDENT. I'M WAITING FOR THE INSPECTOR TO CALL AND SCHEDULE AN DATE TO VIEW VEHICLE. AFTER THE DATE OF ACCIDENT, I WENT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS OF THE DAMAGE FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO START WITH THE EBTCM AND STRUTS. IN ADDITION, THEY WOULD NEED MORE TIME TO DIAGNOSIS OTHER ISSUES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 15, 200857,813 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE COOLANT LEAKS INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THEY REPLACED FOUR GASKETS, A WATER PUMP, AND HOSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,813.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 1, 2008CA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ECM AND HAD IT INSTALLED, BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY RECALL INFORMATION. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $1,200. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

Structure1 injured
Filed Dec 3, 2007257,000 milesNV

HEATER CORE EXPLODED AND THE HOT RADIATOR FLUID POURED ON MY FOOT, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY INJURIES WERE BAD BURNS TO MY FOOT AND PULLED MUSCLES. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS A BADLY MADE PRODUCT. BECAUSE IT WAS PART PLASTIC, WHICH CRACKED WHEN THEY REPAIRED IT THEY PUT AN ENTIRELY METAL HEATER CORE AS REPLACEMENT. THEY ALSO COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT POURED THE HOT WATER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR, USUALLY IT GOES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 30, 2005IA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V064000 CONCERNING THE ABS BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2005FL

1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS STALLS IN TRAFFIC. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE STALLING. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 7, 200565,000 milesTN

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE GAS TANK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT HAS A DIGITAL FUEL GAUGE ON IT. THE VEHICLE SHOWED NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE, THEN IT INCREASED WITHOUT PLACING ANY GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE, AND SHOWED THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2002. THERE WAS NO FOR WARNING, AND THIS OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE. *AK (11/17/05) *SC

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Jul 5, 200557,062 milesNJ

SMOKE AND SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO GM CADILLAC DEALER. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM IN OTHER CADILLAC'S "SEVERAL TIMES". THE TURNSIGNAL SWITCH MELTED. THEY REPLACED TURNSIGNAL SWITCH & CANCELING CAMS. REASEEMBLED AND TESTED. PRICE: $392.47

20 of 95 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20049000Routine
200316100Routine
200245210Routine
200153100Routine
200038200Routine
199973120Routine
199865230Routine
1997 — this page95262Fatalities reported
1996122271Fatalities reported
1995742100Routine
199450250Routine
199342230Routine
199227100Routine
199121011Fatalities reported
199019300Routine

Compare every Seville year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Mar 4, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.