no report yet
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.
1998 Cadillac SevilleProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 65 owner complaints about the 1998 Cadillac Seville, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 4, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Cadillac Seville has problems
65 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
10Steering2 crash/fire/injury
6Exterior lighting
6Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
5Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
5Visibility
4Seat belts
4Service brakes, hydraulic
3Electrical system
119 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 2 |
| Steering | 10 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 |
| 9 other systems | 11 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1998 Cadillac Seville recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other Seville year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Seville median. How we score
'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Cadillac Seville, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURENo recall
- CADILLAC COOLANT COOLED ALTERNATOR FIRESLed to recall 99V-070
In owners' words
What Seville owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT AND A MESSAGE INFORMING HIM TO ADD COOLANT WOULD DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS ROUTINELY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE…
SUDDEN ERRATIC READINGS SUCH AS ENGINE HOT, AC OFF, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. ENGINE REDUCED CYLINDER OPERATION TO 4 CYLINDERS, POWER REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY. FAMILY IN CAR AND HEAVY TRAFFIC COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS SITUATION IN BOTH CASES. FOUND BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND COOLANT ENTERING INTO…
DT: HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. VEHICLE MILAGE IS ONLY 78, 000. *AK *TT *SB CONSUMER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T RECEIVE A TUNE-UP UNTIL 100,000 MILES HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 78,000. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON OCURRANCE AND CONSUMER FEELS THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.…
Own a 1998 Seville?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.