Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 65 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Seville, most frequently naming the engine, steering and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 94 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 1998 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 1998 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 1999 | 7 | 9 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 1999 | 1 | 11 |
| Sep 1999 | 2 | 13 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 15 |
| Mar 2000 | 3 | 18 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 19 |
| Mar 2001 | 1 | 20 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 22 |
| Mar 2002 | 1 | 23 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 24 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 25 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 27 |
| Sep 2002 | 2 | 29 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 30 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 31 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 32 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 33 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 34 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 35 |
| Jul 2003 | 3 | 38 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 39 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 40 |
| Jan 2004 | 2 | 42 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 44 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 2004 | 2 | 47 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 49 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 50 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 51 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 52 |
| Jan 2006 | 2 | 54 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 55 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 56 |
| Jul 2007 | 2 | 58 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 59 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 60 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 61 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 62 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 63 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 64 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 65 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
CADILLAC COOLANT COOLED ALTERNATOR FIRES
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED, AND THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH. AS A RESULT, IT CAUSED THE PRESSURE TO LEAD THROUGH THE HEAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON LOW, INTERMITTENT OR "RAIN SENSE" SETTINGS. FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES THE WIPERS WOULD NOT STOP OR THEY CAME ON VOLUNTARILY. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHETHER THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AND WAS LOCAL INDEPENDENT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THEY DID NOT WORK ON CARS BUILT BEFORE 2000 MODEL YEAR. ALSO, THEY SAID PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THEY SENT ME TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. I FOUND A SHOP THAT COULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE "PULSE BOARD" WITH A KIT FROM CADILLAC [REMEMBER I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE]. I HAD THE ISSUE REPAIRED AND I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PARTS AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A KIT AVAILABLE. I REALIZE THAT OLDER CARS ARE SOMETIMES CHALLENGING TO FIND PARTS, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY CONSIDERATION AND HANDLING. NOTE: THE DATE GIVEN IS APPROXIMATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE STEERING FAILED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT REPAIRS WOULD BE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT AND A MESSAGE INFORMING HIM TO ADD COOLANT WOULD DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS ROUTINELY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS AND WAS GOING THROUGH LEFT CURVE ON ROAD 40-45 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING CAR TO SPIN LEFT THEN RIGHT. PARALLEL TO ROAD ON THE RIGHT AND CRASHING INTO A BIG ROCK BETWEEN TWO PONDS THAT SAVED MY LIFE. CAR HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. IS THERE ANY ONE ELSE THAT HAD A REAR AXLE BREAK BEHIND THE ROTOR? PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR'S 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION BECOMES INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V144000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE SPEAKERS. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR) AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
TWO (2) GM OEM RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENTS REQUIRED WITHIN AN 18 MONTH TIME FRAME DUE TO PART FAILURES. STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE ON INTERSTATE RESULTING IN A NEAR CRASH. *JB
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 30.0 |
| 2002 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 48.1 |
| 2001 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 43.3 |
| 2000 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 43.6 |
| 1999 | 73 | 1 | 1 | 45.2 |
| 1998Viewing | 65 | 2 | 2 | 56.2 |
| 1997 | 95 | 2 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 1996 | 122 | 2 | 4 | 60.8 |
| 1995 | 74 | 2 | 4 | 61.8 |
| 1994 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 1993 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 1992 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 49.0 |
| 1991 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 46.7 |
| 1990 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 54.7 |
| 1989 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 50.1 |
| 1987 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 44.0 |
| 1986 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 62.1 |
| 1985 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1983 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.