AI Damage1997 Cadillac Seville: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Cadillac Seville filed 95 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 95
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 19 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel system: 18 complaints (19% of all).
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 16 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (12% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 95 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer was at traffic light when another vehicle hit him ,and the airbag didn't deploy.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal impact accident travelling at 35mph or more, and neither airbag deployed. Driver suffered an injury, dealer contacted and states the bumper went under the vehicle and would not set off the air bags.
The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flickering on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
While the vehicle was parked in a residential driveway, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the flames and indicated that there may have been an electrical short associated with the front passenger seat. A police report was not filed.
The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure occurred fifteen times within an hour. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing.
Call insurance company who stated it was a collision; however, repair shop and adjuster for insurance company stated it was bound to happen due to rusting and cracking of brake line, etc.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 cadillac seville. The contact stated that when he parked the vehicle, he noticed that fuel was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 81,000. The vin was unavailable.
Less than 72 hours later, the vehicle caught fire upon starting. Flames appeared under the hood and were extinguished with a fire extinguisher. The dealer stated that they would not touch the vehicle due to the fire. A claim was filed with the manufacturer, which was escalated to higher authorities.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,695 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Seville has 31 complaints (26 years in the data). This year has 95, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- Seville 19856 sources
- Seville 198611 sources
- Seville 198711 sources
- Seville 198811 sources
- Seville 19895 sources
- Seville 199019 sources
- Seville 199121 sources
- Seville 199227 sources
- Seville 199342 sources
- Seville 199450 sources
- Seville 199574 sources
- Seville 1996122 sources
- Seville 199865 sources
- Seville 199973 sources
- Seville 200038 sources
- Seville 200153 sources
- Seville 200245 sources
- Seville 200316 sources
- Seville 20049 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Cadillac Seville?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, service brakes. Total complaints: 95. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (12%), steering or power steering problems (7%), warning lights, check engine (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Cadillac Seville?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Cadillac Seville from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.