NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Cadillac Seville Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Cadillac Seville has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 95 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Cadillac Seville. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Cadillac Seville owner complaints

Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Cadillac Seville, describing incidents dated July 7, 1997 to March 3, 2021.

Most-cited components

Engine 21 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Service Brakes 15 complaints
Steering 15 complaints
Electrical System 9 complaints
Exterior Lighting 7 complaints

Of the 95 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 95 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11408255 · Filed April 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER…
ODI #10980227 · Filed April 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE…
ODI #10596577 · Filed June 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES WITHIN AN HOUR. THE…

Read all 95 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Cadillac Seville in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA04-003: FUEL RAIL LEAKS
Closed April 23, 2004
- Recall 04V-110
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-050: FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
Closed February 3, 2004
Recall Query RQ03-001: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed September 15, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/FUEL RAIL TUBING

NHTSA #04V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 4, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 483,477 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04014 · Owners notified June 2, 2004 · Vehicles built March 1, 1996 – June 30, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04014.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/ABS

NHTSA #97V064000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported April 28, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 156,910 vehicles

Owners notified May 28, 1997 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – April 15, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEING DURING MAY 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Cadillac Seville. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

95 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Cadillac Seville.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11408255

Incident: March 3, 2021 · Filed: April 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,007.

Electrical System; Seats

ODI #10980227

Fire

Incident: April 20, 2017 · Filed: April 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL AND RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine

ODI #10596577

Incident: June 5, 2014 · Filed: June 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES WITHIN AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10532740

Incident: July 19, 2013 · Filed: July 30, 2013

HIT A SPEED BUMP - LOUD NOISE - COULD BARELY BRAKE - AVOID COLLISION AND AFTER EVENTUALLY BEING ABLE TO STOP; LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FLUID GUSHING OUT LIKE A RAINSTORM. CALL INSURANCE COMPANY WHO STATED IT WAS A COLLISION; HOWEVER, REPAIR SHOP AND ADJUSTER FOR INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN DUE TO RUSTING AND CRACKING OF BRAKE LINE, ETC. AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR - AUTO REPAIR DID SEND A PAPER SHOWING A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA ID: 04V110000 ON JUNE 2, 2004 DEALING WITH FUEL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION WHICH MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. I INFORMED NOT ONLY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE REPAIR SHOP, AND I ALSO CALLED CADILLAC AT L-8---458-8006, ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SINCE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FROM CADILLAC, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THEM. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10466595

Incident: July 15, 2012 · Filed: July 19, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10314396

Fire

Incident: February 18, 2010 · Filed: February 25, 2010

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010 I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 5 HRS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. *TR

Steering

ODI #10289895

Incident: April 6, 2009 · Filed: October 26, 2009

97 CADILLAC SEVILLE,CLUNCKING IN FRONT END ,RACK AND PINION,CAN FEEL THE NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION. STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR IN A TURN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10285361

Incident: September 25, 2009 · Filed: September 27, 2009

BRAKE LINE FAILURE - 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS - 4.6L ENGINE - REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED - DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND ABRASION CAUSED BY NORMAL USAGE - BRAKE FLUID LOSS LEADS TO NO PEDDLE PRESSURE AND GREATLY DIMINISHED OR ZERO BRAKING CAPABILITY. SUGGEST RECALL TO INSPECT ABRADED BRAKES LINES. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10274173

Fire

Incident: June 12, 2008 · Filed: June 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. LESS THAN 72 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UPON STARTING. FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND WERE EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH WAS ESCALATED TO HIGHER AUTHORITIES. THE CONTACT IS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 144,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10272969

Incident: May 5, 2009 · Filed: June 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING COOLANT (MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED) AT A VAST RATE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. IN ADDITION, THE HEATING GAUGE WOULD SPORADICALLY MOVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Other Cadillac Seville model years

Check your 1997 Cadillac Seville VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac Seville at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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