1986 Cadillac Seville Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.1L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Cadillac Seville (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Cadillac Seville. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and steering (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling4 36%
- Brakes2 18%
- Steering2 18%
- Electrical system1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving, consumer has gone unconscious due to fumes from the emission system, which causes loss of control and crashes, consumer states the emission system is worn and has 7 holes, can not get it replaced, consumer has been injured and has been in four accident because of this.”
NHTSA complaint #563773, filed 2001-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Cadillac Seville version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seville FWD | 4.1L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V082000Jun 4, 1987Vehicle speed control › LinkagesCovers: Cadillac Seville 1986, Eldorado 1986
Floor mat could become mispositioned and interfere with accelerator pedal.
- 87V047000Apr 6, 1987Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Cadillac Seville 1986–1987, Eldorado 1986–1987
The twilight sentinel potentiometer (thumbwheel control) might have been manufactured with electrical contacts which could result in an intermittent headlight circuit.
Recall details for the 1986 Cadillac Seville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Cadillac Seville.
Other model years of the Cadillac Seville
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 31,500 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 16 | 48,288 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 45 | 89,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 53 | 51,010 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 38 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 73 | 51,802 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 65 | 79,500 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 95 | 91,204 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 122 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 74 | 103,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 50 | 101,190 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 42 | 118,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 21 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 19 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 5 | 156,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 11 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Cadillac Seville model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Cadillac Seville have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Cadillac Seville as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Cadillac Seville is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1986 Cadillac Seville been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Cadillac Seville get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Cadillac Seville (Seville, 4.1L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.