1997 Cadillac Seville Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,007.

NHTSA ID

11408255

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

Mileage

89,007 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL AND RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10980227

Incident

Apr 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES WITHIN AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

NHTSA ID

10596577

Incident

Jun 5, 2014

Mileage

137,000 mi

HIT A SPEED BUMP - LOUD NOISE - COULD BARELY BRAKE - AVOID COLLISION AND AFTER EVENTUALLY BEING ABLE TO STOP; LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FLUID GUSHING OUT LIKE A RAINSTORM. CALL INSURANCE COMPANY WHO STATED IT WAS A COLLISION; HOWEVER, REPAIR SHOP AND ADJUSTER FOR INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN DUE TO RUSTING AND CRACKING OF BRAKE LINE, ETC. AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR - AUTO REPAIR DID SEND A PAPER SHOWING A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA ID: 04V110000 ON JUNE 2, 2004 DEALING WITH FUEL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION WHICH MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. I INFORMED NOT ONLY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE REPAIR SHOP, AND I ALSO CALLED CADILLAC AT L-8---458-8006, ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SINCE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FROM CADILLAC, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THEM. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532740

Incident

Jul 19, 2013

Mileage

87,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10466595

Incident

Jul 15, 2012

Mileage

81,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010 I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 5 HRS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10314396

Incident

Feb 18, 2010

Mileage

173,000 mi

97 CADILLAC SEVILLE,CLUNCKING IN FRONT END ,RACK AND PINION,CAN FEEL THE NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION. STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR IN A TURN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289895

Incident

Apr 6, 2009

Mileage

87,000 mi

BRAKE LINE FAILURE - 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS - 4.6L ENGINE - REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED - DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND ABRASION CAUSED BY NORMAL USAGE - BRAKE FLUID LOSS LEADS TO NO PEDDLE PRESSURE AND GREATLY DIMINISHED OR ZERO BRAKING CAPABILITY. SUGGEST RECALL TO INSPECT ABRADED BRAKES LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10285361

Incident

Sep 25, 2009

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. LESS THAN 72 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UPON STARTING. FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND WERE EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH WAS ESCALATED TO HIGHER AUTHORITIES. THE CONTACT IS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 144,000.

NHTSA ID

10274173

Incident

Jun 12, 2008

Mileage

144,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING COOLANT (MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED) AT A VAST RATE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. IN ADDITION, THE HEATING GAUGE WOULD SPORADICALLY MOVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10272969

Incident

May 5, 2009

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE SIMULTANEOUSLY DURING NON-ABS APPLICATIONS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 139,000. UPDATED 6/22/09 *CN THE HORN, FAN BLOWER AND STABILIZER LINK WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/25/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10267238

Incident

Apr 23, 2009

Mileage

138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,020.

NHTSA ID

10241069

Incident

Jul 4, 2008

Mileage

130,000 mi

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 60 TO 65 MILES AN HOUR, THE DISTANCE BEFORE THE MALFUNCTION BEGAN WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES BEFORE MY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY WERE APPLIED DURING A NON BRAKING APPLICATION. THE CADILLAC STS SLOWED DOWN INTO A CAR THAT HIT MY REAR BUMPER. I TRIED TO RECOVER FROM THE BUMP. AS AN RESULT, THE MOMENTUM SENT ME INTO A ROCKY BUT GRASSY DITCHED AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT OF THE EBTCM FAILING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY BUMPER WAS DAMAGED, FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED, ALONG WITH MY STEERING AND STRUTS. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE EBTCM AND THE REMEDY HAS BEEN THAT A INSPECTOR WILL EVALUATE THE CAR THEN NEXT(....) I WILL BE NOTIFIED WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL REPAIRED. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED MAJORITY OF THE TIME SINCE MY INCIDENT. I'M WAITING FOR THE INSPECTOR TO CALL AND SCHEDULE AN DATE TO VIEW VEHICLE. AFTER THE DATE OF ACCIDENT, I WENT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS OF THE DAMAGE FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO START WITH THE EBTCM AND STRUTS. IN ADDITION, THEY WOULD NEED MORE TIME TO DIAGNOSIS OTHER ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10237912

Incident

Jul 29, 2008

Mileage

120,100 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE COOLANT LEAKS INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THEY REPLACED FOUR GASKETS, A WATER PUMP, AND HOSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,813.

NHTSA ID

10218163

Incident

Jan 10, 2008

Mileage

57,813 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ECM AND HAD IT INSTALLED, BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY RECALL INFORMATION. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $1,200. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

NHTSA ID

10216697

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

HEATER CORE EXPLODED AND THE HOT RADIATOR FLUID POURED ON MY FOOT, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY INJURIES WERE BAD BURNS TO MY FOOT AND PULLED MUSCLES. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS A BADLY MADE PRODUCT. BECAUSE IT WAS PART PLASTIC, WHICH CRACKED WHEN THEY REPAIRED IT THEY PUT AN ENTIRELY METAL HEATER CORE AS REPLACEMENT. THEY ALSO COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT POURED THE HOT WATER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR, USUALLY IT GOES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210723

Incident

Oct 18, 2007

Mileage

257,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V064000 CONCERNING THE ABS BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST. *AK

NHTSA ID

10144068

Incident

Aug 1, 2005

1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS STALLS IN TRAFFIC. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE STALLING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10141005

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE GAS TANK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT HAS A DIGITAL FUEL GAUGE ON IT. THE VEHICLE SHOWED NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE, THEN IT INCREASED WITHOUT PLACING ANY GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE, AND SHOWED THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2002. THERE WAS NO FOR WARNING, AND THIS OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE. *AK (11/17/05) *SC

NHTSA ID

10139021

Incident

Jul 1, 2002

Mileage

65,000 mi

SMOKE AND SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO GM CADILLAC DEALER. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM IN OTHER CADILLAC'S "SEVERAL TIMES". THE TURNSIGNAL SWITCH MELTED. THEY REPLACED TURNSIGNAL SWITCH & CANCELING CAMS. REASEEMBLED AND TESTED. PRICE: $392.47

NHTSA ID

10127441

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

57,062 mi

WHILE DRIVING AND GOING AROUND CORNERS THE STEERING VEERS TO ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER SUDDENLY. THERE IS ALSO STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IF THIS HAPPENS AT A HIGH SPEED I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND SOMETHING SERIOUS COULD HAPPEN. THIS SEEMS RELATED TO OTHER 1997 GM RACK AND PINION FAILURES THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED. WILL HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10126724

Incident

Jun 20, 2005

Mileage

93,400 mi

1. NO INJURY, NO CRASH, WIFE COMPLAINED OF BREAKPEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR AS SHE BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE - I OBSERVED LARGE AMOUNTS OF BREAK FLUID IN DRIVEWAY. I INSTRUCTED HER TO GET OUT AND SHUT IT OFF- MESSAGE CENTER ALSO WARNED OF BRAKE FAILURE. 2. STEEL BRAKE LINE CHAFED AGAINST THE FRAME OF '97 SEVILLE STS - FACTORY INSTALLATION/DESIGN WITH CLEARANCE TOO TIGHT IN THE LOCATION WHERE THE LINE CROSSES OVER THE FRAME TO THE TERMINAL BRACKED AT THE REAR WHEEL - WORE THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE. I'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW AND THERE WAS NEVER A DAMAGE OR A REPAIR IN THE AREA WHERE IT WORE THROUGH. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY SERIOUS CLASS DEFECT AS THE LOCATION OF THE WEAR THROUGH IS NOT IN A SERVICE AREA OF THE CAR AND THERE IS NO WARNING OF AN EMINENT FAILURE. 3. I USED A HACKSAW TO CUT OUT THE WORN PORTION OF THE BREAK LINE AND USING COMPRESSION FITTING FROM THE HARDWARE STORE AND A NEW BRAKE LINE SECTION FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE RE-ROUTED THE LINE AWAY FROM THE FRAME THAT CUT THE ORIGINAL LINE. I HAVE THE WORN LINE AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF IT AND THE FAILURE BEFORE REMOVAL. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SERVICE RECALL INSPECTION OF ALL '97 SEVILLES TO SEE IF THIS IS OCCURING ON EVERY OR MOST MODELS. THE GROMETS AND BRACKETS THAT POSITION THIS LINE ARE MOST LIKELY COMMON ON ALL MODELS UP THROUGH '97.

NHTSA ID

10126504

Incident

Jun 23, 2005

Mileage

88,170 mi

HEADS ON 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE (SLS) PULLED LOOSE FROM ENGINE LETTING ANTIFREEZE ENTER INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF ALL EIGHT CYLINDERS. HEADS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE TAKEN OFF ENGINE AND MILLED TO REFIT TO ENGINE BLOCK. THIS WORK DONE AT LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER (SAM SWOPE CADILLAC, SERVICE MANAGER DAVE HOLLAND 502 499 5015) COST TO REPAIR ENGINE $4,999.47........I HAVE SPOKEN TO QUITE A FEW CADILLAC OWNERS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE CADILLAC NORTHSTAR ENGINE AND ALL CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS ARE WELL VERSED IN REPAIRING THIS ENGINE DEFECT........I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF GENERAL MOTORS HAD PUT STEEL INSERTS INTO THE ALUMINUM BLOCK FOR THE HEADBOLTS TO TIGHTEN INTO AT THE FACTORY THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT REPEATEDLY OCCUR! FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD GM WAS TRYING TO SAVE WEIGHT AND IMPROVE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND THAT IS WHY THEY WENT TO AN ALUMINUM BLOCK AND HEADS.

NHTSA ID

10125234

Incident

May 27, 2005

Mileage

96,960 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10115218

Incident

Mar 15, 2005

Mileage

97,000 mi

WHILE DRIVINGA ND UPON HITTING THE BRAKES ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS WAS A RECALL.CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 97V064000 CONCERNING ECBM REPLACEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10113262

Incident

Feb 15, 2005