Cadillac SLS Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Cadillac SLS (1999–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 11. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (10 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All SLS model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 87,000 | 0 | 64 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 11 | 70,700 | 1 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | 66,484 | 0 | 10 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine cooling10 38%
- Electrical system6 23%
- Body and structure3 12%
- Electronic stability control2 7.7%
- Brakes2 7.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.8%
- Tires1 3.8%
- Other or unknown1 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “On three separate occasions this year, most recently today (3/22/14), the engine on my 2003 (?) Cadillac SLS abruptly cut off, similar to the much-publicized recent failures on GM's 2003-11 compact cars. My car is no compact, but I'm wondering if it uses the same ignition components. In any event, we were lucky to avoid an accident. After the first incident, I referred the car to my trusted mechanic, and he could find nothing wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574184, filed 2014-03, 7,800 miles1999: “When I first purchased the car it had a cracked head and many other minor problems. I repeatedly brought it back to the dealership and they told me that there was nothing wrong with the car. I am still experiencing a check gas cap warning and I hear a clicking noise coming from the rear right side everytime I apply the brakes. Also I hear a rattling noise everytime I hit any size of bump.”
NHTSA complaint #10166478, filed 2006-08, 80,000 miles2000: “Good morning;I had purchased a 2000 Cadillac seville(SLS)used and the car shut off as I was driving on a major highway. The instrument panel (digital)started flashing engine is hot,vehicle engine must be shut down. The car started loosing power and I was able to steer off to the side of road. I'm not sure if the engine would have overheated and caught fire or not? I returned this vehicle to used car dealer for refund. I was told to take it to a garage and I discovered the radiator cap was leaking. It was replaced. To me it looked like it was warped? …”
NHTSA complaint #10276942, filed 2009-07, 160,000 milesOther Cadillac models
3,265 complaintsCadillac Deville
2,708 complaintsCadillac CTS
2,219 complaintsCadillac Escalade
1,723 complaintsCadillac Seville
793 complaintsCadillac Escalade ESV
529 complaintsCadillac DTS
527 complaintsCadillac Catera
463 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology