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Vehicle Stats/Cadillac/Seville Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Sep 2026Methodology

Cadillac Seville Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 205 complaints and 6 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Cadillac Seville options? We analyzed 5 model years (2000–2004) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

205
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
6
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
12
Crash-Related
crash complaints
1
Fire-Related
fire complaints
10
Injuries Reported
across all years
5
Years Analyzed
2000–2004

Free VIN check

Found a Cadillac Seville? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac Seville has 205 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls across model years 2000–2004. The most reported issue area is SUSPENSION. 2002 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.

Cadillac Seville — key reliability facts
Make
Cadillac
Model
Seville
Model years analyzed
2000–2004 (5 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
205
Safety recall campaigns
6
Crash-related complaints
12
Fire-related complaints
1
Worst model year (by complaints)
2002 (68 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2004 (17 complaints)
Top reported issue area
SUSPENSION
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Sep 5, 2026
This Seville has 6 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

By model year

Cadillac Seville: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
200268 complaints200153 complaints200040 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
200417 complaints200327 complaints200040 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2002 Cadillac Seville? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year — averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free →

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

How to read NCAP stars
5 stars — Excellent
4 stars — Good
3 stars — Average
2 stars — Below average
1 star — Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The CADILLAC SEVILLE has 205 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. 12 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 205 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 6 federal recall campaigns
  • 12 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2000
40
2001
53
2002
68
2003
27
2004
17

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

6 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

#03V238000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYJanuary 7, 2003
Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

#03V238000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYJanuary 7, 2003
Safety recall

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

#02V067000STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)June 3, 2002
Safety recall

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

#00V114000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Safety recall

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

#99V301000STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#00V432000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2004. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 205 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
SUSPENSION36 complaints
02
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34 complaints
03
STEERING31 complaints
04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25 complaints
05
SERVICE BRAKES23 complaints
06
STRUCTURE17 complaints
07
HYDRAULIC16 complaints
08
POWER TRAIN13 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

205 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

STEERINGJan 2016

2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. *SMD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMMar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, BUT THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT SURE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL WAS LISTED AS 14405, BUT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNov 2014

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.

STEERINGSep 2013

THE TEXTING AND DRIVING,NEEDS TO STOP *JS

STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKESDec 2012

MY 2004 SEVILLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING, AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO TO THE LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY SERVICE STABILITY LIGHT COMING ON AFTER THESE OCCURRENCES WHEN DRIVING IN ANY WET CONDITIONS! , I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS DEFECT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I NOW REFUSE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN OR AFTER RAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THIS CAUSES FREQUENT PROBLEMS FOR ME BOTH PERSONALLY AND BUSINESS WISE. I HAVE ALSO FIND IT REALLY UNFAIR DO TO PAYING 50,000+ FOR A VEHICLE WITH LESS THEN 90,000 MILES ON IT TO HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN AND STAYS MAINTAINED REGULARLY. *TR

SUSPENSIONJun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.

Read 14 more owner reports
STEERINGSep 2010

I HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC SLS THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2004.... THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED ON IT APPROX. A YEAR OR SO AGO BUT APPROX. A MONTH AGO, WE HAD A HEAVY RAIN AND I WAS ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE STEERING GOT REAL TIGHT AND INSTEAD OF TURNING RIGHT INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE, I HAD TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE WHERE ONCOMING CARS ARE BUT, LUCKILY, THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING IN THAT LANE. THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL WHEN IT RAINS, IT IS A RISK AS FAR AS SAFETY IS CONCERNED. I GAVE $51,000 FOR THE CAR NEW. *TR

STEERINGJul 2010

MY 2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING IN ANY WET CONDITIONS! BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS DEFECT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I NOW REFUSE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN OR AFTER RAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THIS CAUSES FREQUENT PROBLEMS FOR ME BOTH PERSONALLY AND BUSINESS WISE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS NO SPLASH GUARD. TOO BAD I WASN'T INFORMED OF THIS PRIOR TO PURCHASING. ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? COMMENTS AND SOLUTIONS ARE WELCOMED. GM NOR THE CADILLAC DEALER HAVE BEEN ANY HELP. MY FAMILY HAS MY BLESSINGS TO SUE IF & WHEN I DIE FROM IT! :( [XXX] IN FLORIDA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENTNov 2007

WE (ELMORE SIMS) ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE SINCE MAY 2007. WE HAVE OWNED VARIOUS MODELS OF CADILLACS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE NAME "CADILLAC'S" DENOTES QUALITY. HOWEVER, OUR LATEST PURCHASE WITH THIS THREE (3) YEAR OLD VEHICLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HAS CAUSED US GREAT REPAIRS AND EXPENSES AND LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE NAME CADILLAC'S. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS WITH THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH COST $240. THE NEXT MAJOR REPAIR WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COST $600. THE BRAKES ARE NEXT, BUT THAT IS EXPECTED FROM A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE OTHER CADILLAC'S WE HAD WERE ALSO USED VEHICLES AND NEVER REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIRS SUCH AS THESE SO SOON. THOSE OLDER MODEL VEHICLES WERE OF QUALITY. HAS THE MANUFACTURE OUTSOURCES PARTS TO CUT COST? THE QUALITY THAT I EXPECTED FROM CADILLAC HAS BEEN DIMINISHED. I HOPE THEY WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, BECAUSE MY CERTIFIED CADILLAC MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODULE AND THE LATER MODEL GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CADILLAC DEVILLE, MORE SPECIFICALLY THE FUEL PUMP? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS PART WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING SO SOON AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? ALSO, ON ONE OF YOUR SCREENS, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TYPE IN DEVILLE AS THE MODEL OF VEHICLE, SO I CHECKED STS TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT SCREEN. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. A VERY DISAPPOINTED CADILLAC OWNER! I'M STUCK, BECAUSE I AM ON DISABILITY AND IF THESE TYPES OF REPAIR PROBLEMS CONTINUE, I AM GOING TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AND FORGET ABOUT THE NAME CADILLAC. PLEASE HELP. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSep 2007

2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO SERPENTINE BELT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURS WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApr 2007

VARIOUS DASH WARNING LIGHTS KEPT LIGHTING UP, BUT DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH CAR. THE CAR IS A DEVILLE . *AK

STEERING,SUSPENSIONAug 2006

2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE STEERING COLUMN HAS SLACK AND STEERING IS NOT ALIGNED. *KB THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER. *JB

SEATSAug 2005

THE DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH ANYWAY FROM A QUARTER OF AN INCH TO AN INCH. I AM TOLD BY THE SERVING DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC FOR 2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WITH ENOUGH MOVING BACK AND FORTH THE SEAT LATCHES HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR BREAKAGE. *NM

2 InjuriesENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJun 2005

I WAS STANDING AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE (CADILLAC SRX) AND I LEANED AGAINST THE BACK BUMPER WITH MY LEG, AND BURNED MY LEG ON THE TAILPIPE. I WAS STANDING "FLUSH" WITH THE BUMPER, AND IT BURNED MY LEG BECAUSE IT STICKS OUT TOO FAR (ABOUT 1/2 INCH TOO FAR) FROM THE BUMPER. THIS IS THE SECOND BURN THAT MY FAMILY HAS EXPERIENCED; ONE MONTH AGO MY 7 YEAR OLD SON BURNED HIS LEG ON THE TAILPIPE AS WELL. HIS BURN WAS MUCH WORSE - IT BLISTERED AND BLED AND SCABBED OVER. HE WAS CLIMBING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE TRUNK. I BELIEVE THAT CADILLAC NEEDS TO FIX THE TAILPIPES ON THE CAR BY EITHER SHORTENING THEM BY 3/4" OR 1 INCH, OR BY EXTENDING THE BUMPER SOMEHOW. THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR, AND A SAFETY ISSUE! I WANT CADILLAC TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE ONE OF MY YOUNGER KIDS, OR SOMEONE ELSE IS BURNED. CADILLAC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO, AND I DO NOT FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE!

Crash 1 InjuryAIR BAGSDec 2004

ON 12/5/04 I PARKED OUR NEW (561 MILES) 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE AT THE COVERED WEST PALM BEACH AIRPORT PARKING LOT. I LEFT ON BUSINESS AND RETURNED TO THE CAR AT 7:30 PM ON THURSDAY, 12/9/04. I GOT INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. THE TWO FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THE DRIVER BAG RAKED UP THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT FOREARM (WHICH WAS STILL HOLDING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION) AND THEN HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE. I WAS SUFFERING FROM A TERRIBLE COLD AT THE TIME AND HAD TO SIT THERE AND INHALE THE DUST FROM THE BAGS UNTIL I COULD GET THEM ALL DEFLATED. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT AFTERNOON, WHERE IT REMAINS AWAITING PARTS. GM HAS CALLED ME TWICE, THE FIRST TIME WAS A YOUNG MAN WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK HE WAS DOING OTHER THAN READING QUESTIONS OFF HIS COMPUTER, AND THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CALLED TO ASK MORE STUPID QUESTIONS...LIKE, "WHAT KIND OF CAR WAS PARKED NEXT TO YOU?" AND "WAS IT HUMID?" I EXPLAINED THAT IN FLORIDA, IT'S ALWAYS SOMEWHAT HUMID. THE ABRASION ON THE INSIDE OF MY ARM BRUISED AND ALSO ENDED UP PEELING ON 12/22/04. MY LEFT CHEEK BRUISED AND THEN THE SPOT GOT LITTLE TINY, UNSIGHTLY PIMPLES THAT WENT AWAY AROUND 12/19/04. I AM STILL COUGHING.THE DEALERSHIP AUTHORIZED US TO GET A RENTAL CAR FOR THE DURATION. (YOUR FORM WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER "DEVILLE" AS THE MODEL OF THE CADILLAC!). *AK

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSep 2004

THE BLUE HEADLIGHTS ON SOME MODELS OF CARS ARE HAZARDOUS, CAUSING TOO MUCH BRIGHT GLARE AT NIGHT. *AK

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJun 2004

BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAD BLIND PATHS, ALMOST OPAQUE, RESULTING IN EXTREMELY REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. THUS, OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. CALLED NHTSA AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. *AK

SERVICE BRAKESMay 2017

WHILE GOING 45 APPROACHING A RED LIGHT I CASUALLY HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. HITTING THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR FOR A 2ND TIME, THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THUS, AFTER RUNNING THE RED LIGHT IN A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKES UNTIL I COULD FIND A PARKING LOT TO PULL OVER IN, GOT THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 45, CAR DID NOT STOP DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINE (SNAPPED BRAKE LINE)

CrashAIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINEDec 2014

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). *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINEMay 2014

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.

Showing 20 of 205 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac Seville

These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac Seville, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac Seville has 205 complaints on record across 5 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac Seville has 6 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 12 of the Cadillac Seville's 205 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac Seville vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac Seville vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac Seville has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a Cadillac Seville by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac Seville.

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Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

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Cadillac Seville reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Cadillac Seville reliable?

Poor. The Cadillac Seville has 205 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SUSPENSION. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Cadillac Seville years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (68 complaints), 2001 (53 complaints), 2000 (40 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Cadillac Seville problems?

Top reported issues: SUSPENSION (36 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (34 complaints); STEERING (31 complaints).

Does the Cadillac Seville have recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac Seville. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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