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1999 Cadillac Seville problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Cadillac Seville is engine and cooling, typically around 54,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical Seville model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
73
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
97
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1999 Cadillac Seville problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    26
  • Electrical
    16
  • Suspension
    9
  • Brakes
    8
  • Steering
    8
  • Airbags
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Lights
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Cadillac Seville

Stalling 14

Recalls 1

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported April 12, 1999 · 29,766 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An electrical short can develop in the generator, even when the engine is off.
Risk
The electrical short could cause an engine compartment fire that could spread to the rest of the vehicle and anything near it.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the generator.

Recall number 99V070000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1999 Cadillac Seville

Defect investigations

Cadillac coolant cooled alternator firesOpened June 10, 1999, closed February 22, 2002

RQ99013

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Cadillac Seville 97

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 97 bulletins for the 1999 Cadillac Seville

1999 Cadillac Seville fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylFWD152418

What 1999 Cadillac Seville owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 12, 2022 · Fuel system · CA

The hard fuel rail line has begun to leak and no GM dealers carries parts to resolve problem. The 1999 STS Cadillac is in good working condition but because of the leak, it is unsafe to drive.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Engine · 294,853 miles · GA

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 103,000 miles · NY · fire

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 99v070000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Update 1/13/16 ln

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · PA · fire · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2012 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · CA

When I drive at any speed randomly the gas gauge goes to empty,windows don't work, AC goes off but fan still blows, power locks don't work, lights stay on when I stop and get out, but when I put the key back in and turn it to the "on" position and back off everything works again my battery went dead a few times due to the lights staying on and my girlfriend not knowing what's going on...what is that!!!!!

Filed Feb 16, 2012 · Brakes · 71,000 miles · CA · crash

Applied brakes and front end did not dip as it should have; no gripping as it should have; felt grinding and slippage as vehicle continued forward without losing any momentum. There was sufficient stopping distance that vehicle speed should have been reduced and stopped.

Filed Oct 15, 2010 · Engine · 76,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 cadillac seville sts. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle began to overheat abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the gasket replaced around the cooling system yet the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the engine replacement and the manufacturer informed the contact that they were unable to provide any assistance. The contact stated the manufacturer should be held responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2010 · Electrical · 50,142 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 cadillac seville. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the electrical component that controlled the steering and brakes suddenly failed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle which seemed to solve the problem. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the ECM (electronic control module) needed to be replaced. He called the manufacturer but was told that they could not assist him with the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were 50,142.

Filed Jun 7, 2009 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CA

This may be nothing you can help with, however the northstar engines made by gm have had a defect for many, many years. There are no records that you have checked into the problems with this. It regards the head gaskets breaking at an alarming and consistent rate for the past 10 years! Ask any mechanic about this. Around 100,000 miles on the engine the head gaskets break, and coolant leaks into the engine. No one will replace the gaskets. All you can do is spend a small fortune ($5,000 to $9,000) on a new engine. A waste of money since the next northstar engine will probably do the same thing. This is something that gm knows about and continues to ignore. No wonder they are going out of business. After 100 years they still cannot produce a reliable engine! If you expect americans to continue buying american cars, especially cadillacs, please do some research on this. You can find letters written by seville owners on the web about this. I am most certainly not the only one, just one of many, many lemon owners. Hoping you care enough to have listened and check this out, sincerely

Filed Jun 10, 2008 · Fuel system · 62,540 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 cadillac seville. The contact smells gasoline whenever the vehicle is started. He discovered that a fuel rail was leaking on the number one cylinder. The dealer stated that there were no open recalls. The current mileage was 62,640 and failure mileage was 62,540. Updated 07/29/08 *bf the fuel rail cracked just above the cylinder #1. The consumer stated a recall had been issued on prior years. Updated 07/29/08.

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Questions about the 1999 Cadillac Seville

Is the 1999 Cadillac Seville reliable?

Owners have filed 73 complaints about the 1999 Cadillac Seville, 1.6 times a typical Seville model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Cadillac Seville?

Engine and cooling, with 26 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles. Next is electrical (16).

How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Seville have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

What year does the Cadillac Seville have bad engine?

The Cadillac Seville model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (27 complaints), 1999 (26 complaints) and 1994 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Cadillac Seville get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Cadillac Seville range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 24 highway.

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