Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Cadillac Seville, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Fuel system, gasoline17
- Steering16
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Electrical system11
- Exterior lighting7
- Suspension6
- Air bags6
- Visibility5
- Wheels4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Cadillac Seville failed the safety check 1.13% of the time — 29% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 86,942 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In Finland
5 of these cars first registered in 1997 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 266,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
4 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 25% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.0 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seville · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.5 | 9.8 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1997 Cadillac Seville.
| 1997091 28 Apr 1997 | Brakes Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module may cause the antilock… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Cadillac told its dealers about the 1997 Cadillac Seville: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 632324 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIN FOR CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 631313 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGHER THAN EXPECTED OIL CONSUMPTION. *SLC |
| 619241 | THIS PRODUCT TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONCERNS AN INTERMITTENT STUMBLE OR STALL CONDITION. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT INTERMITTENTLY THEY EXPERIENCE A STUMBLE OR STALL CONDITION WHEN COMING DOWN TO A STOP. IN MOST INSTANCES THE ENGINE WILL RESTART, SOMETIMES WITH AN EXTENDED CRANK, AND A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1599 MAY OR MAY NOT BE PRESENT. *TT |
| 609639 | TRUNK MOUNTED 12 CD CHANGER EJECTS INTERMITTENTLY. YD |
| 609633 | HEATED SEATS DO NOT BECOME WARM ENOUGH. YD |
| 6092576 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON AN UNDERHOOD NOISE; TRACTION ENGAGED MASSAGE; ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1225 SET. *TT |
| 606086 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT A ENGINE COLD / KNOCK / TICK NOISE. *TT |
| 602983 | CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC |
| 600208 | EXPERIENCING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. *YC |
| 54338 | EXCESSIVE FORCE REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE HORN WHEN COLD. *YC |
| 54203 | VEHICLES EXHIBITING CHIRPING, TICKING, KNOCKING, OR "TRASHY" NOISES FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *YC |
| 54195 | COMMENTS OF A RATTLE/LOOSE NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *YC |
| 54179 | CONDITION ON A EVAP EMISSION ODOR AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATIOR LAMP DISPLAYS. *YC |
| 54065 | COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS). |
| 53017 | DELAYES CONTAINING VEHICLES REMOTE FUNCTION ACTUATOR (RFA). *YC |
| 53015 | WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED FORCE OR ENGINE LOAD MAY AFFECT AND CAUSE VARIOUS NOISES. *YC |
| 52600 | CLN INDICATOR APPEARS ON RADIO DISPLAY AND DOES NOT TURN OFF (RESET CLN INDICATOR WITH THE EJECT BUTTON ON TAPE). *TW |
| 52564 | EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TW |
| 52562 | FUEL TANK WILL NOT FILL TO CAPACITY/FUEL GUAGE STAYS ON FULL FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OR FLUCTUATES (REPLACE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND/OR FUEL TANK). *TW |
| 52108 | ADDITIONAL TRAVEL OF MEMORY SEAT WITH REAPPLICATION OF SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH (CONDITION NORMAL). *TW |
| 51318 | BUZZ OR MOAN NOISE DURING TCC APPLY (REPLACE SPACER PLATE AND UPPER CONTROL VALVE). *AK |
| 50602 | BUZZ OR MOAN NOISE DURING TCC APPLY. *TW |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10208027 | 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. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL RAIL LEAKS
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation