Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Cadillac Seville
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Cadillac Seville has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 65 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #99V070000 GM/ELECTRICAL SHORT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V144000 GM/FMVSS 104 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 20 complaints
- Steering 10 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 6 complaints
- Suspension 6 complaints
- Air Bags 5 complaints
- Visibility 5 complaints
Of the 65 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 65 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Cadillac SEVILLE's reliability is affected by electrical system issues, notably generator electrical shorts, and wiper motor malfunctions. Given frequent owner complaints about various issues, it struggles with below-average dependability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| alternator | 80,000–100,000 miles | $300–$500 | very common |
| windshield wiper motor | 70,000–90,000 miles | $200–$350 | common |
| electrical system | 90,000–110,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant change every 3 years
- Transmission fluid check annually
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Dimming headlights could indicate alternator issues
- Wipers not functioning at low speed
- Electrical malfunctions or warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Cadillac Seville at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.