1996 Cadillac Seville problems
Owners have filed 156 complaints about the 1996 Cadillac Seville with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 17.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 15.4%.
Complaints156
Crashes11
Fires8
Injuries10
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 17.9% · 28
Electrical system 15.4% · 24
Fuel system, gasoline 13.5% · 21
Steering 10.9% · 17
Equipment 7.1% · 11
Air bags 6.4% · 10
Visibility 5.8% · 9
Vehicle speed control 3.8% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 11 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire, 10 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Cadillac Seville in this data, 1996 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 91,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I am very concerned about the oil consumption that is being used in my car. I have been told by Cadillac that it is normal for this engine to use 2-3 quarts of oil for every 3000 miles, with the many differents cars that we have owned I have never had this problem before. The warranty for the car expires at 70000 miles. What other action can I take. Engine and engine cooling
Cadillac knows this is a problem. Please stop them from stiffing the owners of any year northstar engine with the bill of $1800 to fix the problem. I had a 76 grand prix 400 v8 engine with 245000miles on it that didnt leak oil like this engine. If I knew Cadillac had a design defect with northstar engines I would not have bought the car. Engine and engine cooling
Engine check light has been coming on occasionally since 1998. Taken to dealer numerous times, could not find a cause. On 19 dec 2001, engine service light came on, then the light stopped engine. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer, who determined engine coolant had leaked into engine. Engine had to be replaced. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…