1994 Cadillac Seville Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Cadillac Seville, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2139.6%
- Electrical611.3%
- Visibility59.4%
- Brakes47.5%
- Airbags35.7%
- Transmission35.7%
- Fuel system23.8%
- Steering23.8%
- Tires & wheels23.8%
- Heating & air conditioning23.8%
- Driver assistance23.8%
- Exterior lighting11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 CADILLAC SEVILLE HAD HOT COOLANT POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FOOT CAUSING SEVERE BURNS.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE HEATER CORE HAD RUPTURED, IN ADDITION THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE WATER PUMP WATER PUMP HOUSING, HOSES AND THERMOSTAT. *JB
OIL WAS LEAKING OUT THE LOWER CRANK CASE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER, AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE IS FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A DELCO/BOSE SOUND SYSTEM. I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AND 1/4 MILE, THE RADIO SOUND BECAME DISTORTED AND INTERRUPTED. THE VEHICLE'S VOLTAGE DISPLAY INDICATED 13.3 VOLTS, RATHER THAN THE NORMAL 14.2 OR ABOVE. I TURNED OFF THE RADIO. I NOTICED AN ODOR I IDENTIFIED AS "HOT ELECTRICAL." I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEY. VISIBLE SMOKE WAS FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR RADIO SPEAKER UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. I OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD TO ACCESS THE BATTERY AND OPENED THE TRUNK. THE TRUNK LINER MATERIAL ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUNK BETWEEN THE SEAT BACK AND TRUNK OPENING WAS BURNING. THE FLAMES WERE SPREADING IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN CENTERED ON THE LEFT REAR SPEAKER. I PULLED THE BURNING MATERIAL FROM THE VEHICLE AS MY FRIEND BROUGHT ME A DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I PUT OUT THE FIRE AS ANOTHER FRIEND DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. THESE SPEAKERS HAVE AN ELECTRONIC MODULE MOUNTED TO THEM. THE MODULE WAS BURNED AND THE WIRES LEADING TO IT WERE BURNED AS FAR BACK AS THE TRUNK LINING MATERIAL HAD BURNED. I ISOLATED THE BURNED MODULE AND DAMAGED PORTION OF THE WIRES LEADING TO IT BY CUTTING THE WIRE HARNESS. I INSULATED THE WIRES AND CONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE RADIO PLAYED NORMALLY THROUGH THE REMAINING SPEAKERS. THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR SHOWED NORMAL VOLTAGE, 14.2 - 14.3 VOLTS. I OBSERVED NO ANOMALIES OR WARNINGS. NO FUSES NOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIPPED TO INTERRUPT THE POWER TO THE MODULE AND PREVENT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE SPEAKER AND SURROUNDING TRUNK LINING MATERIAL. I AM SURE IF THIS ISSUE BEGAN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE POSITIVE POST OF THE BATTERY WAS CRACKED AND LEAKED ACID. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM HAD FAILED DUE TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT CORRODING. SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE FELT BOILING WATER HIT HIS FEET. HE HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND PARK IT. THIS CAUSED BURNS TO BOTH OF HIS FEET. HE IS A MECHANIC AND FEELS IT IS BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE BUSTED. HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE BURNS TO HIS FEET. *AK
1994 CADILLAC SEVILLE HAD HOT COOLANT POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FOOT CAUSING SEVERE BURNS.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE HEATER CORE HAD RUPTURED, IN ADDITION THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE WATER PUMP WATER PUMP HOUSING, HOSES AND THERMOSTAT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SYSTEM OVERHEATING AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DOING ANYTHING IN HELPING ME WITH THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TOWTRUCK. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BEFORE MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRED AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THE BRAKES WERE BAD ON THE CAR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD A HOLE IN IT.
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO SMOKE AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER REPLACED THE REAR CALIPERS/ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER CALLED GMC, AND WAS TOLD THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED CONSUMER WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *AK *SC THE VEHICLE HIT A LIGHT POLE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I UNDERSTAND FROM MY MECHANIC THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES OF CRACKED TRANSMISSION CASES, WHICH ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT CADILLAC WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS REPAIR, SINCE IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATILITY. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS IS ACTED UPON? *AK
OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING.....THERES BEEN A SERVICE BULLITEN ALERT PUT OUT ON THIS IN FEB. 1996. MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1997 AND THE GASKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. OIL IS LEAKING FAIRLY BAD AND I WAS INFORMED BY CADILLAC MECHANIC THAT THE OIL GOING BACK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE CAD. CONVERTER COULD CAUGHT FIRE. I'M TRYING TO GET CADALLIC TO REPLACE THIS GASKET AT THEIR COST. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1500.00 TO REPLACE THIS $28.00 PART. ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT IN 7-04. HE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000. WHEN HE DROPPED THE FUEL TANK TO GET TO THE FUEL PUMP HE NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES GOING INTO THE PUMP WERE BLACK. WHEN HE UNSCREWED THE PUMP HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WERE WIRES WERE FRIED. HE TOOK THE FUEL PUMP TO A COUPLE OF CAR PARTS RETAIL PLACES, AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT WHEN RUN NINES THE CAR A LOT THE FUEL PUMP LOOKED LIKE THAT, THE WIRES WERE FRIED TOGETHER. THE MECHANIC IMPLIED THAT HE HAD SEEN A LOT OF FUEL PUMPS IN CADILLAC THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT. ALSO, TOLD THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS SEALED IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL NOT CATCH ON FIRE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED IT WITH NEWLY DESIGNED FUEL PUMP.*AKTHE ORIGINAL PUMP HAD A FAULTY DESIGN WHICH CAUSED IT TO COLLAPSE SQUEEZING THE HOT GROUND WIRING TOGETHER RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP SHORTING OUT AND BLOWING THE PUMP FUSE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
GREASE USED TO LUBRICATE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN SHORTED OUT THE TURN SIGNAL AND STARTED SMOKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. MJS
STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN, IT TIGHTENS UP AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHELL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SYSTEM OVERHEATING AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DOING ANYTHING IN HELPING ME WITH THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TOWTRUCK. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BEFORE MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRED AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THE BRAKES WERE BAD ON THE CAR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD A HOLE IN IT.
TIRE WAS SO HOT INSERT ON HUB CAPE BLEW OFF CAR.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY
WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED. IT MADE CONTACT WITH A POWER STEARING LINE. THIS BROKE A BRACKETT ALOWING THE POWER STEARING LINE TO CONTACT A AIR CONDITIONER LINE FITTING. THIS ACTION NEARLY RUPTURED THE POWER STEARING LINE. HAD THIS HAPPENED THERE WOULD BE POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND FIRE DANGER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE THROTTLE IS STILL OPEN AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE MOVEMENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. SIMILAR TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V164000. *NM
VEHICLE SURGES FOR NO REASON WHILE VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL. OWNER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERS FOR PROBLEM, WHERE NO FAULT CODE WAS FOUND. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHT IS HARD TO GET TO IN AN EMERGENCY THE DESIGN. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .