Cadillac SLS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 27 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 18.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Electrical System: 5; Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10166478 · 2006-08-24 (August 24, 2006)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217045 · 2008-02-05 (February 5, 2008)
NO EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS PROBLEM. MASSIVE SUDDEN ELECTRONIC FAILURES OF ACCESSORIES SYSTEMS. PARKING BRAKE RELEASE, LOSS OF POWER TO SEATS, CAB LIGHTS OUT, FRONT AC PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS HOT ONLY, NO POWER TO DOOR LOCKS, NO RESPONSE TO KEYLESS ENTRY, VALET SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING, REAR AC BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK AND FUEL RELEASE MECHANISMS NO LONGER WORK. CONSEQUENCES ARE POSSIBILITY OF CAR ELECTRONIC SYSTEM BREAKING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. ALL FUSES, RELAYS AND CIRCUIT …
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222260 · 2008-03-25 (March 25, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THEN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303915 · 2010-02-02 (February 2, 2010)
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. COMPLETE TUNEUP WAS DONE THAT COST OVER $500.00 DOLLARS ,VACUUM HOSES REPLACED,IGNITION INSPECTED ,COMPLETE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CHECKS. AUTO STILL DIES WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIME WITHIN 2WKS AND SOMETIMES WITHIN 2MOS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575153 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SLS.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,806 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,806 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8023214 · 2002-11-25 (November 25, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED BY A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TS. ALSO DUE TO THE ENGINE STALLING THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND ALL LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 8023214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641036 · 2014-10-03 (October 3, 2014)
WHEN SLOWING AT ABOUT 20 MPH TO 3 MPH THE VEHICLE JUST DIES. NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES, ALL ELECTRICAL IN THE VEHICLE STOPS WORKING. THE VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN ONCE STOPPED, PLACED IN PARK OFTEN HAVING TO REMOVE THE KEY AND PUTTING IT BACK. AFTER OVER THREE MONTHS AND OVER 1500 MILES, WORKING WITH THE DE LA FUENTE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, HAVING A RED BUTTON ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO PUSH WHEN THIS HAPPENED THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER PART NUMBERS 12369550 AND 25725312 AT A COST OF $615.73…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,393 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276942 · 2009-07-16 (July 16, 2009)
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 WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276942 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2002: 0; 2004: 0