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1998 Cadillac Seville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

65 reports
102,000 miles · May 4, 2017
Engine

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 FLUSH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10983495

82,000 miles · May 11, 2016
Visibility/wiper

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10864387

85,000 miles · Mar 30, 2012
SteeringCrash

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10453544

138,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 W…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10413517

70,000 miles · Jun 3, 2009
SuspensionCrashInjury

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 TH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10272817

80,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
Visibility

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:WINDSH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10253977

110,000 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Electrical System

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 STATE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10220263

65,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10197910

134,890 miles · Jul 11, 2007
Steering

POWER RACK AND PINION FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196078

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2007
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED AT AN ACCELERATED PACE WHEN SWITCHING THE SPEED FROM HIGH TO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED AT AN ACCELERATED PACE WHEN SWITCHING THE SPEED FROM HIGH TO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE MANUFACTURER TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 98V144000 ( CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, AND WAS TOLD THAT NHTSA'S INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED CASE # 71-510434063. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 63,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED MAYBE THE CAR WAS ON THE DEALERS LOT AT THE TIME THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188722

Official recalls

2

99V070000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Apr 12, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.

98V144000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jun 26, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

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.

Steering:rack And Pinion

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.

RQ99013 · Cadillac Coolant Cooled Alternator Fires

Opened Jun 10, 1999 · Closed Feb 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.