AI Damage1999 Cadillac SLS: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Cadillac SLS filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 20% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 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.
While my wife was driving the car at about 38 miles an hour the car just died or cut out ( the ignition system quit ), on her. This happened on two different times for her and once for myself.
It was determined by my local cadillac service department that the alternator was faulty, drawing excessive current while the engine was off. I mentioned the recall on this model and they said it had already been replaced so it is not covered.
Bought auto 2003,after 3mo auto engine would shut off without warning at any speed,highway or in driveway. Took auto to dealer and auto kept for 3 days and dealer unable to duplicate problem. Took auto back 5 other times and same results each time.
Upon starting my car their was a back-fire under the hood. I again started the car and drove about two miles to my home and parked the car in the garage. I then entered the house through the garage door and started looking for receipts for charges I made at the grocery store and charges I made refueling the car.
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.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLS has 7 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Cadillac SLS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Cadillac SLS?
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 1999 Cadillac SLS 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 1999 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.