RoadVitals

2003 Cadillac Seville

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Sep 15, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 1, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Seville, most frequently naming the body & structure, driver assistance and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 442 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure317.6%
  • Driver assistance211.8%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Suspension211.8%
  • Powertrain (other)211.8%
  • Steering211.8%
  • Exterior lighting211.8%
  • Fuel system15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign 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.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 1, 2003
102,212 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03038View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2021

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).

NHTSA ID
11433151
Incident
Sep 12, 2021
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11083751
Incident
Oct 7, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Filed Mar 30, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10852572
Incident
Feb 25, 2015
Mileage
112,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 25, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605932
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
Mileage
81,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578269
Incident
Aug 20, 2008
Mileage
49,254 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 19, 2012

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10485502
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2012

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA IS THE RIGHT AGENCY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND THAT I MIGHT HERE BACK FROM YOU REGARDING ANY RESOLUTION THAT MIGHT BE FORTHCOMING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449318
Incident
Feb 25, 2012
Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2010

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.

NHTSA ID
10311827
Incident
Jan 26, 2010
Mileage
24,923 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

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.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Seville by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004900
2003Viewing161030.0
2002452048.1
2001531043.3
2000382043.6
1999731145.2
1998652256.2
1997952359.2
19961222460.8
1995742461.8
1994502260.8
1993422152.4
1992271049.0
1991210046.7
1990193054.7
1989520
1988111150.1
1987112144.0
1986113162.1
1985611
1984111
1983230
1982040
1981120
1980010
1979100
1978220
1977100
1976010

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.