1998 Cadillac SEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 51 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 15.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 11.8% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 26 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 | 1 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 1; 2002: 11; 2003: 9; 2004: 9; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001602 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE MOUNT BROKE. TS THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF WHEN TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009435 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE POWER STEERING WAS VERY STIFF, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AND HAT TO BE REPLACED. FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO THE SENSOR AND HAD TO BE RELINED.*TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,212 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009507 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BUCKLE BROKE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021618 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS WHEN A PASSER BY INFORMED HIM TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *NLM. *AK *CB *NLM THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT AND WAS TOLD THE FIRE HAD COME FROM THE ENGINE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022363 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLS PERIODICALLY WHILE DECELERATING. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024531 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH HER IN IT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026658 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A NOISE. VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT STEERING GEAR HOUSING WAS BUSTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031525 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS WHEN A PASSER BY INFORMED HIM TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *MR *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031525 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V144000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-06-26 (June 26, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V070000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 1999-04-12 (April 12, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.
Consequence: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗