Skip to content
Cadillac SevilleModel year report

1999 Cadillac Seville Problems

Complaints
73filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,802miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 1999 Cadillac Seville (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine cutting out without warning while driving, and overheating or coolant-loss problems that in several cases led to major engine work. A second frequent theme is electrical trouble, ranging from modules that interrupt power to gauges, windows and lamps that stop working intermittently. Many reports come in at moderate mileage, with stalling described as recurring and hard for dealers to reproduce.

  1. Engine cooling

    Engine stalls and dies while driving

    • 17 complaints (23%)
    • median 39,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2000–2014

    Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at anything from parking-lot speeds to highway speed, sometimes with difficulty restarting afterward. Owners say the loss of power also takes away power steering and power brakes, which makes stopping and steering harder. Several report repeated dealer visits where the fault could not be reproduced or diagnosed, and in some cases no repair was found. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 31,000 to over 100,000 miles, and often described as recurring every few weeks or months.

    What to check: Ask for any service records of stalling or intermittent no-start diagnoses, and whether the throttle position sensor, ignition switch or engine control module has been looked at. A long test drive that includes stops and slow turns is worth doing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving at highway speed, mostly when slowing down quickly, vehicle stalls & dies. When this occurs vehicle loses all power. Happens every few weeks; starts right up again after coming to stop, but it's difficult to stop because no power brakes, steering, etc. Very dangerous. I want this to be a record of the problem in case I am killed in accident following an occurance of this type.”

    NHTSA complaint #10123885, filed 2005-06, 119,500 miles

    “I serviced my 1999 Cadillac Seville in november 2004. It only has 31,000 miles and is driven on freeway only. The car stalled for no reason when I last drove it and now will not start. Battery is fine, power kicks on but engine will not respond. This is frightening as it dies while I was in an intersection during a u-turn. Warranty just expired and I will be taking it to the dealer 1/10 (at my cost). I think they should step up to the plate. It was not surprising to see 7 other complaints against the same year's model.”

    NHTSA complaint #10105922, filed 2005-01, 31,000 miles
  2. Electrical system

    Electrical faults: gauges, windows, lamps and power loss

    • 11 complaints (15%)
    • median 89,801 mi at 12.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2000–2016

    Complaints describe intermittent electrical trouble such as the fuel gauge dropping to empty, windows and locks quitting, interior or dashboard lights failing, and lights staying on after the car is shut off. Some owners report a sudden loss of electrical power affecting steering and brakes, with an engine control module replacement recommended. Others mention alarm and rear-module problems covered in service information. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 100,000 miles, with intermittent symptoms that come and go.

    Recall 99V0700003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test every gauge, window, lock, interior lamp and the alarm during the drive, and ask whether the rear integration module or engine control module has been replaced. Ask whether recall 99V070000 (generator) was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When I drive at any speed randomly the gas gauge goes to empty,windows don't work, AC goes off but fan still blows, power locks don't work, lights stay on when I stop and get out, but when I put the key back in and turn it to the on position and back off everything works again my battery went dead a few times due to the lights staying on and my girlfriend not knowing what's going on...what is that!!!!!”

    NHTSA complaint #10461934, filed 2012-06, 88,000 miles

    “From about septmber 2003 on we've had issues w/ our 1999 Seville sls shutting down. It shuts down while in progress at 55+ miles per hour and at a standstill. Everything goes, the engine, lights, brakes, steering, etc. It is in the repair shop for the fourth time and they are still not sure they know what is causing the problem. The Cadillac customer service representative suggests that I let the repair center fix the car again and take it home to see if the problem occurs again. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10045901, filed 2003-11
  3. Steering

    Steering loss, tie rod and rack problems

    • 8 complaints (11%)
    • median 46,847 mi at 7.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1999–2010

    Complaints describe sudden loss of power steering, a steering rack with a ruptured seal, and in one case a tie rod end separating so the wheel no longer followed the steering input. Another report notes steering-arm bolts loose or missing. Owners say some symptoms were intermittent and hard for dealers to confirm. Mostly reported under 45,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check for power-steering fluid leaks and noise at full lock, and have the tie rod ends, steering-arm bolts and rack inspected on a lift before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Driving down the highway approximately 60mph heard clicking noise under the driver's side. A warning light came on dash. Vehicle wouldn't accelerate. Had the vehicle serviced, they couldn't find anything wrong. The steering arm had 2 bolts and 1 bolt had fallen out and the second bolt was barely holding. Contacted the dealer.”

    NHTSA complaint #845958, filed 1999-08

    “While driving in the rain at low speeds power steering was suddenly lost. This happened on three separate occasions. Also, I heard a high pitched whirring sound as if the serpentine belt was slipping. The dealer's mechanic could find nothing wrong.”

    NHTSA complaint #731551, filed 2000-09
  4. Suspension

    Vibration and shake at highway speed

    • 7 complaints (10%)
    • median 52,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2012

    Owners report a steady vibration, felt through the steering wheel or front end, at around 65 to 70 mph on smooth roads. Complaints say new tires, repeated balancing, alignment and rotor replacement did not cure it, and dealers were sometimes unable to resolve it. A few reports also mention suspension noise over bumps and worn bushings. Typically reported under 60,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Drive the car at highway speed during the test drive and watch for steering-wheel shake. Ask about tire age, wheel balance history and any suspension or shock work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Getting vibration on smooth roads at 60-68 MPH. Put on 4 new michelin tires, replaced brake rotors, balanced all tires, still experience vibration. Dealer can't fix. What are other solutions besides saying tires are out of round?”

    NHTSA complaint #10078989, filed 2004-06, 52,000 miles

    “Constant front end vibration at speeds of 65-70. Car has been back to the dealer numerous times and have not been able to solve the problem system did not allow me to add vehicle identification number.”

    NHTSA complaint #10011057, filed 2003-03, 36,000 miles
  5. Engine cooling

    Overheating and coolant loss (head gasket concerns)

    • 7 complaints (10%)
    • median 99,500 mi at 13.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2016

    Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing, coolant loss and overheating, sometimes after a cooling-system gasket was replaced and the problem returned. Some complaints say the dealer then recommended engine replacement, and one report links the pattern to head gasket failure and coolant entering the engine. Others mention knocking noises or oil consumption described in service information for this engine family. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with some cases at much higher mileage.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for residue or seepage around the head gasket area, and ask whether the cooling system has been pressure-tested. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a combustion-gas test of the coolant is worthwhile.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This may be nothing you can help with, however the northstar engines made by GM have had a defect for many, many years. There are no records that you have checked into the problems with this. It regards the head gaskets breaking at an alarming and consistent rate for the past 10 years! Ask any mechanic about this. Around 100,000 miles on the engine the head gaskets break, and coolant leaks into the engine. No one will replace the gaskets. All you can do is spend a small fortune ($5,000 to $9,000) on a new engine. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10273047, filed 2009-06, 96,000 miles

    “While driving heard a knocking noise. Took vehicle into the dealer, and dealer stated noise was coming from the piston ring, however they couldn't fix because no part was available.”

    NHTSA complaint #10029453, filed 2003-07

Buying note. This model year draws most of its complaints around engine stalling, overheating and electrical faults, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on those systems matters more than cosmetics. Ask for a full service history and confirm whether the generator recall was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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 73 consumer complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Seville. 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,802 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 33 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: Exterior lighting (3), Seat belts (3), Seats (3), Tires (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled with out any warning. After a few minutes the vehicle would start up as if nothing had happened. The vehicle had been to the dealer for this problem twice already for this same problem and needed to go to the shop again. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10048542, filed 2003-11, 33,000 miles

Electrical system: “My son almost died on october 25, 2013 in his 1999 Cadillac Seville in our driveway while he was relaxing in it with his dog. He had fallen asleep waiting for his mother/my wife and the engine caught fire. He needed to climb out of window and pull his dog through the window. He injured himself and went to hospital. The fire was so intense that the engine fell apart from heat, the cabin was destroyed, front tires are gone/melted while trunk and gas tank were relatively fine. The police and fire departments responded to this disaster in our driveway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10568647, filed 2014-03

Suspension: “Vehicle has constant vibration in steering at 65 to 70 MPH. Selling dealer and tire dealer have been unable to correct this problem. Installed 8 new goodyear and 4 new michelin tires, checked factory wheels and transaxles for proper balance, repeated wheel alignments & tire balance front/rear have not corrected the vibration.”

NHTSA complaint #758084, filed 2002-02

Brakes: “Applied brakes and front end did not dip as it should have; no gripping as it should have; felt grinding and slippage as vehicle continued forward without losing any momentum. There was sufficient stopping distance that vehicle speed should have been reduced and stopped.”

NHTSA complaint #10448239, filed 2012-02, 71,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

42% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,552 and 81,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2542%25–5025%50–7521%75–1008%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: 51,802 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’00’0213’04’06’09’12’15’22
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 1999 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$4,550

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 1999 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. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 33 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 1999 Cadillac Seville?

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine cutting out without warning while driving, and overheating or coolant-loss problems that in several cases led to major engine work. The issues reported most often: Engine stalls and dies while driving; Electrical faults: gauges, windows, lamps and power loss; Steering loss, tie rod and rack problems.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Cadillac Seville have?

NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Seville as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Cadillac Seville is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 23 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 16.

Has the 1999 Cadillac Seville been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Cadillac Seville get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Cadillac Seville (Seville, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Cadillac Seville reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,802 miles and the middle half falls between 43,552 and 81,000 miles; 42% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.