AI Damage2004 Cadillac Seville: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Cadillac Seville filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 56% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- Steering: 5 complaints (56% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (11% 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 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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 writes in regards to vehicle sudden loss of power steering when driving in wet weather.
The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.
My 2004 seville loses all power steering, and I lose control of the vehicle do to the lack of being able to steer the vehicle. Now I have been experience problems with my service stability light coming on after these occurrences when driving in any wet conditions!
My 2004 cadillac seville loses all power steering when driving in any wet conditions! But for the grace of god, I could have been killed due to this defect on several occasions. I now refuse to drive my car in or after rain. Obviously, this causes frequent problems for me both personally and business wise.
2004 cadillac seville sls loss of power steering due to serpentine belt. Customer states that the loss of power steering occurs when the serpentine belt gets wet. The consumer stated the belt has been replaced several times.
The driver seat moves back and forth anyway from a quarter of an inch to an inch. I am told by the serving dealer and cadillac customer service representative that this is a normal characteristic for 2004 cadillac seville. With enough moving back and forth the seat latches have the potential for breakage.
The blue headlights on some models of cars are hazardous, causing too much bright glare at night.
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 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Seville has 31 complaints (26 years in the data). This year has 9, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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 199795 sources
- Seville 199865 sources
- Seville 199973 sources
- Seville 200038 sources
- Seville 200153 sources
- Seville 200245 sources
- Seville 200316 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Seville?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (44%), loss of power / limp mode (22%), hesitation when accelerating (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 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 2004 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 2004 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.