Check a VIN

2003 Cadillac Seville problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Cadillac Seville is body and structure. It has fewer complaints than a typical Seville model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
89/100
Owner complaints
16
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
441
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2003 Cadillac Seville problems

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

  • Body
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Suspension
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Body
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 1

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 1, 2003 · 102,212 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain cadillac deville and seville passenger vehicles, funeral coaches, and limousines equipped with a v8 (4.6l) engine, oldsmobile aurora passenger vehicles equipped with a v8 (4.0l ) engine, and pontiac bonneville ssei passenger vehicles equipped with a supercharged v6 (3.8l) engine, the fuel tank pressure sensors are unusually susceptible to malfunctions. If the sensor malfunctions, excessive vacuum can be applied during self-diagnostic testing.
Risk
Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel tank pressure sensor. Owner notification began on october 17, 2003. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.

Recall number 03V238000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Cadillac Seville

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Cadillac Seville 441

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

See all 441 bulletins for the 2003 Cadillac Seville

2003 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‑cylFWD162519

What 2003 Cadillac Seville owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Transmission · CO

I was driving the car all day and just had jumped back on highway doing around 65mph and all of a sudden the car threw itself into first gear it felt like and started accelerating on decelerating on its own jerking very violently if I wasn't wearing my seatbelt I would of went through the front windshield because it threw me forward i went from doing 65mph down to 10mph in less then 5seconds I was scared as [XXX] the steering wheel was hard to control and other cars were honking at me and it was just a mess and my car only has 100,763miles on it I barley drove it this year i will not get back in that car unless it is fixed because that's my daily driver and now its stuck in my driveway and my brother cant get his car out of the driveway so he's pissed now it wont go in reverse or wont move in neutral I left it alone I don't wanna mess with the car i already made a complaint to Cadillac and they said they will look into it and asked me for my vin but that was a few days ago they never called me or anything imagine if my nieces were in the car with me which I'm glad they Were not usually they are that [XXX] coulda killed someone and now I'm out of a car and there gonna look into it that's crazy they need to fix these cars transmission problems there having my car has never done this before and now I cant get to my job interviews because of this and still nothing is being done about it . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Apr 7, 2018 · Body, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · GA

I driving on I-20 west going approximately 70 MPH when right rear tire blew. I stopped in emergency lane and my car wouldn't stay cranked. There were 7 wires that were cut in half. I couldn't crank car because the wires went to fuel system and had to have car towed and someone travel 3 hrs one way to pick me up.

Filed Mar 30, 2016 · 112,000 miles · CA

The frame broke. It came apart - a full break. I had dropped it off at my garage and parked it outside. When they moved it into the shop they frame came apart. I could have been driving. I hope the 5 pictures were uploaded.

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Steering · 81,000 miles · IN

This car has the same or similar electric power steering pump that gm is now recalling for other models. The power pump will just stop working and then it will start working again. It usually stops working at low speeds making it extremely difficult to turn. In looking on-line I notice there are a large number of posting about the same and / or similar problems concerning this item.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Transmission · 49,254 miles · PA

While my wife was driving vehicle lost power while driving just after purchase from (lia infinity) dealership in albany, ny. Requested dealer take vehicle to cadillac dealer for checkout which he said was done and returned without repair. Condition was intermittent and was therefore difficult to diagnose. After 1 year of ownership id problem as crankshaft sensor (part no.s 012575481 and 012575482) issue which was generally known in industry. Took vehicle to cadillac dealer on 1/20/2009 (long cadillac southborough, ma. 01772) and requested specific repair which cost $427.56. Dealer insisted would not be warranted since I wasn't following dealer procedures which required dealer diagnosis at additional expense. Problem no longer persisted after replacing sensors but was extremely hazardous condition and cadillac/gm was no help in repair or diagnosis during process.

Filed Nov 19, 2012 · Suspension · WI

2003 cadillac seville sls. Consumer writes in regards to rusted stabilizer bar bolts. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle made a knocking noise, when he made a left or right turn. It was discovered that one of the bolts had broke in half.

Filed Feb 25, 2012 · Lights · NY

My concern is plastic headlight lenses. The plastic lenses deteriorate to the point that they cloud over and become yellow, drastically reducing there effectiveness in lighting the roadway at night or during inclement weather. How did the auto makers convince the federal safety agency that plastic lenses were safe ? When did it become the vehicle owners responsibility to have to buy expensive kits, whose effectiveness is dubious at best, to try and keep their headlights bright enough to be safe ? The only other alternative is to buy replacement lenses and for those without the mechanical ability, also have to pay to have them installed, only to face the same problem when the new ones become unusable. I understand that the auto makers save weight and money by not using glass but it is my firm belief that it the auto makers responsibility to deliver a safe vehicle to the driving public and that using plastic on headlight lenses is irresponsible and dangerous. This complaint addresses all auto manufacturers. I sincerely hope that the federal safety agency is the right agency to address this problem and that I might here back from you regarding any resolution that might be forthcoming.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Steering · 24,923 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac seville. He had to replace the intermediate steering shaft when the vehicle had 24,923 miles on it. He is concerned that the part was defective at such low mileage. The total repair cost was $439.27 the current and the failure mileage were 24,923.

Filed Dec 3, 2008 · Lights · 50,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac seville. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, there was a decrease in the brightness of the headlights. The contact stated that the headlight lens cover was not clear and caused the headlights to appear dim. As a result, the contact had poor visibility while driving at night. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 55,000. Updated 12/30/08.*lj updated 01/05/09.

Filed Dec 3, 2007 · Suspension · 47,322 miles · WI

At 65 MPH vehicle shakes and vibrates. New tires and four wheel alignment have been done to try to eliminate the problem, but to no avail. Two separate garages have told me they can see no other problems with the suspension.

Compare the 2003 Cadillac Seville

Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004

Questions about the 2003 Cadillac Seville

Is the 2003 Cadillac Seville reliable?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Seville, fewer than a typical Seville model year.

What is the 2003 Cadillac Seville year score?

The 2003 Cadillac Seville scores 89 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac Seville: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Cadillac Seville?

Body and structure, with 3 complaints. Next is engine (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Seville have?

1 recall, covering fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Seville get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Cadillac Seville range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 25 highway.

Share your experience with the 2003 Cadillac Seville

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Cadillac Seville?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN