1997 Cadillac SEVILLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
91,204 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 71 complaints (8.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 16 | 22.5% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 19.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 6; 2002: 7; 2003: 16; 2004: 12; 2005: 9; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002648 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHEN TURNING LEFT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING BUT WORKS TO THE RIGHT. THEN IT SEEMS TO WORK ALRIGHT A FEW TIMES THEN QUIT AGAIN WHEN TURNING LEFT. IT IS SO HARD TO TURN THAT I HAVE PARKED THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043457 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
1997 SEVILLE STS WHILE STARTING TURN FROM A STOP THE TRACTION CONTROL APPLIES THE BRAKES SKIDS THE TIRES, TAKES AWAY THE ABILITY TO STEER AND DECELERATES THE ENGINE, THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN DOING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70) MPH. THE BOOK REQUIRES DRIVERS TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF THEN RESTART, DOING THIS ON THE FREEWAY PERMITS THIS TO OCCUR AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS. WENT TO DEALER, THEY SAY TO REPLACE THE STEERING SENSOR, CALLED MANUFACTURER THEY SAY TOO BAD CONSUMER. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 100,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046202 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 15 MPH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. WHEN IT RELEASED CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME WHEN CONSUMER TURNED IT OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018314 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
1997 CADILLAC REAR LIGHT HOUSINGS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THESE HOUSINGS CONTINUALLY LEAK CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOISTURE TO BE TRAPPED. WE HAD DELIVERY ON OUR STS ON 10/09/96. THESE HOUSING WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 2/18/97 DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AGAIN ON 3/25/98, THESE HOUSINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. THE MOISTURE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND WHEN PRESENTED TO DEALER ON 09/07/01 FOR SERVICE, WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION AND CADILLAC HAS WASHED ITS HANDS WITH NO REPLACEMENT. THEY HAVE IMPLIED THAT THIS A DE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018480 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
I BOUGHT A USED 1997 CADILLAC SLS IN 1999 WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OFF AND ON. I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE. I WAS TOLD AND LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINE WAS VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE FREE UP TO 100,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 82,000 MILES AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT I NEED A NEW HEAD GASKET AT NICE COST OF $2800.00. I'M TIRED OF BEING CHARGED FOR "SOME LITTLE PROBLEM" EVERY TIME I BRING IT IN! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 86,447 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045551 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
ENGINE EXHIBITED EXTENDED CRANKS AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR($$$). ENGINE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT EXTENDED CRANKS ONLY MORE SEVERE. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP ($$$$). ENGINE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT EXTENDED CRANKS. DEALER REPLACED FUEL FILTER ($$) AND FUEL PUMP AGAIN. CRANK PROBLEM NOW REPLACED BY STALLING AFTER DECELERATING TO NEAR STOP THEN DOING A GENTLE TIP IN ON ACCELERATOR AS IN MAKING A TURN OR ENTERING A TRAFFIC CIRCLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097438 · 2004-10-21 (October 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139021 · 2005-10-07 (October 7, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE GAS TANK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT HAS A DIGITAL FUEL GAUGE ON IT. THE VEHICLE SHOWED NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE, THEN IT INCREASED WITHOUT PLACING ANY GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE, AND SHOWED THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2002. THERE WAS NO FOR WARNING, AND THIS OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE. *AK (11…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139021 at NHTSA ↗