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Cadillac SevilleModel year report

1998 Cadillac Seville Problems

Complaints
65filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,500miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Cadillac Seville (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year report engine cooling trouble most often, typically coolant loss, overheating and, in several complaints, head gasket failure on the 4.6L V8. Steering problems (stiff or lost power assist, rack and pinion replacement) and windshield wiper speed faults are the next most common themes, and many complaints come in between roughly 50,000 and 110,000 miles.

  1. Engine cooling

    Overheating and coolant loss / head gasket failure

    • 8 complaints (12%)
    • median 80,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2004–2017

    Complaints describe the engine running hot, a message asking for coolant to be added, and coolant needing repeated top-ups. Several owners say the head gaskets failed, with coolant reaching the cylinders and the engine dropping to reduced cylinder operation; some mention short head bolts as the explanation given. Others report overheating that continued after radiator, thermostat, water pump or coolant work, and dealers or shops sometimes advised an engine replacement. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 140,000 miles, sometimes after the vehicle has warmed up and is under load.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for coolant residue or a sweet smell around the engine, and ask whether head gasket work has been done. A service bulletin addresses knocking noises and oil consumption on the 4.6L V8.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We have a 1998 Cadillac sts and are running into problems with it running hot. After replacing the radiator, thermostat and coolant, there is still the same problem. It will only be after the engine is warmed from driving will this occur, it will start to run hot if you give the vehicle gas to try and get into traffic flow. We have consulted quite a few machanics on this problem and they have all given us the same explanation for the presumed problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10090787, filed 2004-09, 78,600 miles

    “Dt: head gasket is blown. Vehicle milage is only 78, 000. Consumer doesn't understand how a vehicle that doesn't receive a tune-up until 100,000 miles have a head gasket failure at 78,000. Consumer was told that this problem is a common ocurrance and consumer feels that is unacceptable.”

    NHTSA complaint #10120521, filed 2005-06, 78,000 miles
  2. Steering

    Steering stiffness, whine and loss of assist

    • 9 complaints (14%)
    • median 60,606 mi at 6.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2012

    Owners describe the steering becoming very stiff, especially at low speed, sometimes with a whining noise from the steering column before the wheel becomes hard to turn. Complaints mention power steering pump replacement and, in several cases, rack and pinion or steering gear housing failure, with repairs that recurred afterward. One complaint describes repeated rack and pinion replacements within a short period. Reported from around 50,000 to 85,000 miles, often at low speed or while turning.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for whine or groan, and ask for service records on the power steering pump, rack and pinion. A bulletin covers a revised steering wheel position sensor and lower bearing procedure.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The power steering was very stiff, and the power steering pump was replaced. The front motor mount broke and hat to be replaced. Front brakes were worn to the sensor and had to be relined.”

    NHTSA complaint #10009435, filed 2003-03, 56,212 miles

    “Two (2) GM oem rack and pinion replacements required within an 18 month time frame due to part failures. Steering wheel became unresponsive on interstate resulting in a near crash.”

    NHTSA complaint #10197910, filed 2007-07, 65,000 miles
  3. Engine cooling

    Engine stalling while driving

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • typically at 4.5 yrs old
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2004

    Complaints describe the engine stopping while in gear at low speed or when accelerating from a stop, sometimes repeatedly, with dealers replacing crankshaft position sensors and still not resolving it. Some owners report erratic readings and warning lights along with the stalling. Reported across a wide mileage range, often at low speed or when pulling away.

    What to check: Ask whether crankshaft position sensors or other stall-related repairs have been done, and take a test drive that includes stops and slow acceleration.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Consumer states the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at low speeds and/or accelerating from a stop position. The dealer has inspected the vehicle on several occasions, however the problem is reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.”

    NHTSA complaint #8014734, filed 2002-07

    “While driving on the highway vehicle stalled intermittently. Vehicle was taken to the dealership for repair for the fourth time. Again consumer was told that the crankshaft position sensors needed to be replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10101679, filed 2004-11

Buying note. With this many complaints centered on engine cooling and head gaskets, a pre-purchase inspection that includes a coolant pressure test and head gasket check is worth the cost. Also confirm which safety recalls were completed for the specific vehicle and check the steering and rear suspension on the test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Seville. 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Fuel system (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “There is some bills I did not keep.bought the car sept 4th 1998. I had to have them make repairs everytime I took it in for a oil change, I drive an hour to the barboursville automall, inc. In west va where I bought it. The computer control chip for the strut sensor is still not fixed, it flashes do not drive over 90 miles an hour constantly when I drive, which is distracting,that has been doing it since 12/02. They just put a new one in and it also does not work. The front seat heater went out in november and did not get one till april. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070621, filed 2004-01, 48,775 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 1998 Cadillac Seville. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud whining noise coming from the steering wheel. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that as the steering failed, another vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact was not aware of what repairs would be needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10453544, filed 2012-03, 85,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “The upper mount tail light is not lighting. I have since found after searching the internet that there is a 100% failure rate of the LED display in these upper tail light of the Cadillac. I own a 1998 Cadillac Seville sls which has the left half of the upper mount brake light out. There are reference that the brake strip failure is due to moisture that gets in the strip. Please investigate because if this happens to many people there should be a recall for these brake lights. Please let me know what you find out. …”

NHTSA complaint #10147810, filed 2006-01

Suspension: “I have a 1998 Cadillac Seville sls and was going through left curve on road 40-45 MPH right rear axle broke, causing car to spin left then right. Parallel to road on the right and crashing into a big rock between two ponds that saved my life. Car had 70,000 miles on it. Is there any one else that had a rear axle break behind the rotor? Please contact me.”

NHTSA complaint #10272817, filed 2009-06, 70,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 102,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–258%25–5029%50–7533%75–10025%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’9912’01’03’05’07’09’12’17
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Seville FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152418$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

Recall details for the 1998 Cadillac Seville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 28 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Seville

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2004931,5000—19—Not enough data
20031648,2881—19—Falling
20024589,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20015351,0101—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20003850,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19997351,8021—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19986579,5002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19979591,2042—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199612294,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199574103,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199450101,1902—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199342118,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19922763,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199121—0—18—Stable
19901945,0002—17—Stable
19895156,0001—18—Not enough data
198811—0—17—Not enough data
198711—1—18—Not enough data
198611—2—18—Not enough data
19856—1—17—Not enough data

All Cadillac Seville model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Cadillac Seville?

Owners of this model year report engine cooling trouble most often, typically coolant loss, overheating and, in several complaints, head gasket failure on the 4.6L V8. The issues reported most often: Overheating and coolant loss / head gasket failure; Steering stiffness, whine and loss of assist; Engine stalling while driving.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Cadillac Seville have?

NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Seville as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Cadillac Seville is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 20 complaints (31% of the total), followed by steering with 10.

Has the 1998 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 1998 Cadillac Seville get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Cadillac Seville (Seville, 4.6L 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.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Cadillac Seville reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,500 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 102,000 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.