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1999 Cadillac STS problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Cadillac STS is engine and cooling, typically around 98,587 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical STS model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
11
Worst area
Engine

The worst 1999 Cadillac STS problems

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

  • Engine
    8
  • Electrical
    6
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    8
  • Electrical
    6
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Cadillac STS 11

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

See all 11 bulletins for the 1999 Cadillac STS

What 1999 Cadillac STS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Engine · 98,587 miles · KS

Our sts stalled several times, but the scariest was on the highway going 65 MPH. The car totally shut off, leaving the car without any power. We were able to guide the car to the side of the highway and thank goodness it started again. On several other occasions, the car would shut off and sometimes wouldn't even start up right away. This was very frustrating and the unknowing, made driving this car very unpredictable. Every time we brought the car to be checked they could not find "anything". Finally, an independent mechanic suggested putting in a new starter and this solved the problem. Thank goodness. The seville sts is now running, but the A/C has gone out. The car is too old to even fix at this point.

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Engine · 80,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 cadillac sts. The contact stated that while driving an unknown speed, the engine rpms increased as smoke was released from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic who performed a diagnostic. The failure was located at the engine motor bolts, which had become disconnected due to defective metal. The bolt coil and thread was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 100,000. Updated 12/12/12*lj updated 12/13/2012

Filed Aug 13, 2012 · Engine · 128,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 cadillac sts. The contact stated that the head bolts were not the correct size for the engine and as a result, they stripped, causing the engine head to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be remanufactured. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Electrical · CA

Having problems with car keep charge, something is pulling or draining the battery, battery been replaced 3 times and still the same problems sometimes you get in the car and it start other time it won't. I commute 1 hour away from home and this is a problem. I have to keep calling allstate to give me a jump this is ridiculous. Something must be done.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Engine · 100,600 miles · NC

1999 cadillac sevillests. 100,600 miles on odometer. While driving at slow speed (in town) , engine will stop entirely,.- I lose my power steering, brakes and everything else . When I get stopped, engine will start immediately. I'e had the battery checked, and am told all the connections were "fine". A gm dealer recently tuned the engine , and suggested that he replace the wiring" he did so. He did this @ two months before the trouble started. The dealer is out of business. I am afraid to drive the car -- suppose this had occurred while driving 65-70 MPH on the interstate. ??? Please advise me!!! Riving, engine will stop entirely - I lose my power steering, brakes, and everything else. When I get stopped, the engine will start immediately. Have checked battery connection and it checks "fine".

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Electrical · 106,244 miles · CO

Gm's recall number is 99013.

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 174,000 miles · SC

Rack /pinion broke while driving down road.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Engine · WV

I bought a 1999 cadillac sts from a dealer in morgantown, wv. It was a couple of years old. Now, it has about 124,000 miles on it. After a few trips to the dealers service department recently, I was told the reason my car was running roughly was because there was a leaking head gasket. Unfortunately, the dealer said, they won't try to repair it because their experience with the cadillac northstar engine is that if they try to remove it, it strips some sort of bolt or thread, ruining the engine. I have been in touch with cadillac by telephone and by e-mail several times to ask if it is true that they have designed and sold a car that can't be repaired. They wouldn't answer me directly; instead, they said my car is out of warranty and no longer their responsibility. Finally, someone conceded that it is true. I am shocked that a company like cadillac can design and deliver a car, knowing that certain major problems can't be repaired.

Filed Sep 19, 2006 · Electrical · WI

While driving at various speeds as well as at idle, vehicle shuts off. No power steering, brakes, electric, etc. Vehicle is then difficult to start, must wait several minutes before success. Very dangerous- has happened at highway speeds several times on busy interstate. Date given is just one of at least 8 failures.

Filed May 10, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 91,000 miles · IN

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalls without warning resulting in loss of power. Afterwards, the vehicle restarts in less than a minute. The stalling occurs intermittently and has gradually become worse. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection who was unable to determine the cause of the problem.

Compare the 1999 Cadillac STS

Other model years

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Questions about the 1999 Cadillac STS

Is the 1999 Cadillac STS reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1999 Cadillac STS, close to a typical STS model year.

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

Engine and cooling, with 8 complaints, typically around 98,587 miles. Next is electrical (6).

How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac STS have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Cadillac STS have bad engine?

The Cadillac STS model years with the most engine complaints are 2006 (28 complaints), 2005 (19 complaints) and 2008 (11 complaints).

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