Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Sls, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 1 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 5 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 38 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR JUST DIED OR CUT OUT ( THE IGNITION SYSTEM QUIT ), ON HER. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO DIFFERENT TIMES FOR HER AND ONCE FOR MYSELF. *TR
IT WAS DETERMINED BY MY LOCAL CADILLAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS FAULTY, DRAWING EXCESSIVE CURRENT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF. I MENTIONED THE RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND THEY SAID IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED SO IT IS NOT COVERED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. *TR
BOUGHT AUTO 2003,AFTER 3MO AUTO ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED,HIGHWAY OR IN DRIVEWAY. TOOK AUTO TO DEALER AND AUTO KEPT FOR 3 DAYS AND DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. TOOK AUTO BACK 5 OTHER TIMES AND SAME RESULTS EACH TIME. COMPLETE TUNEUP WAS DONE THAT COST OVER $500.00 DOLLARS ,VACUUM HOSES REPLACED,IGNITION INSPECTED ,COMPLETE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CHECKS. AUTO STILL DIES WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIME WITHIN 2WKS AND SOMETIMES WITHIN 2MOS. *TR
UPON STARTING MY CAR THEIR WAS A BACK-FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I AGAIN STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES TO MY HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I THEN ENTERED THE HOUSE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AND STARTED LOOKING FOR RECEIPTS FOR CHARGES I MADE AT THE GROCERY STORE AND CHARGES I MADE REFUELING THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CHARGES MADE AT THE GAS STATION. I THEN RETURNED TO THE GARAGE TO LOOK IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECEIPT. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE INSULATION SMOLDERING THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE HOOD OF THE AUTOMOBILE. I THEN GRABBED A SPONGE AND SOAKED IT IN A PAIL OF WATER THAT WAS IN THE SET-TUB LOCATED IN THE GARAGE. I PUT OUT THE FIRE THAT WAS NOW STARTING TO BURN UNDER THE HOOD. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I DIDN'T LOOK FOR THE RECEIPT AT THAT TIME SEEING AS HOW THE GARAGE IS UNDER THE ROOF OF MY HOME. NOTE: I HAD NOTICED ONCE BEFORE THAT PART OF THE INSULATION HAD BURNED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THIS WAS A BURN ABOUT 12 INCHES SQUARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD. I ALWAYS WONDERED HOW THIS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. AT PRESENT THE AREA THAT HAS BURNED IS NOW ABOUT 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER. *TR
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD A CRACKED HEAD AND MANY OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. I REPEATEDLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A "CHECK GAS CAP" WARNING AND I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKES. ALSO I HEAR A RATTLING NOISE EVERYTIME I HIT ANY SIZE OF BUMP. *JB
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
SUSPENSION
HIGH SPEED SHAKE OR VIBRATION. *EH
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Vehicle Recalls
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS
Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility Outside Company later in this bulletin.
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS
Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility Outside Company later in this bulletin.
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
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.