2002 Cadillac SEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 45 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 15.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
Suspension: 9; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Steering: 5; Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Power Train: 3; Suspension:Front: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2002: 7; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10010982 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
KNOCKING NOISE IN FRONT END OF 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041126 · 2003-10-02 (October 2, 2003)
I OWN A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE, MODEL STS THAT HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED SEVEN TIMES AT TWO DEALERSHIPS. THREE SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO NO EFFECT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057617 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAL BELT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075012 · 2004-06-08 (June 8, 2004)
I HAD A PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS SO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AND THAT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE TURNED BACK IN OCTOBER 2003. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND THE PROBLEM MUST BE THE ROTORS. THE DEALER STILL DOESN'T CLAIM THAT IT'S A DEFECT BUT I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR ACT LIKE THIS. THE CAR IS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081474 · 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK SENSOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,768 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089348 · 2004-08-20 (August 20, 2004)
WHERE THE BRAKE LINE IS NEAR THE ENGIVE A HOLE WORE THROUGH METALLIC LINE, LOSING BRAKE FLUID. VEHICLLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106982 · 2005-01-26 (January 26, 2005)
THE COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I PURCHASED A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS WITH 29000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT HAD A TERRIBLE VIBRATION THAT COMES THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE STEERING WHEEL. I BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES, ALIGNED IT, REPLACED ROTORS AND FINALLY REPLACED THE CADILLAC WHEELS AND TIRES THAT CAME ORIGINALLY FROM THE FACTORY. THE VIBRATIONS ARE THE SAME. ACCORDING TO A WEB SITE I FOUND, AT LEAST SEVEN OTHER SEVILLES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 04 AND HAVE NOT FOUND THAT TIRES AND WHEEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132023 · 2005-09-02 (September 2, 2005)
DT: WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. DID NOT HAVE BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. IT DID THIS ANYTIME WHEN DRIVING BELOW 35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER 6 TIMES. THEY HAVE CHANGED EGR VALVE, INSTALLED A RECORDER FOR 20 DAYS, CLEANED PISTON WASHERS, THEY FLUSHED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND CHANGED CRANK SHAFT SENSORS . BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON AUGUST 20, 2003. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132023 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.
02V067000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.
Consequence: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.
Consequence: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗