Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Cadillac Seville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 1996 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated while parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vents. The contact was able to exit the vehicle, and once the contact exited the vehicle, the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Seville sts. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH and smelled a strong burning odor of fumes inside of the vehicle. The engine began to overheat, causing the temperature gauge to increase rapidly to hot. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and noticed a substantial amount of coolant leakage underneath the dashboard and the front passenger floor area. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
My 1996 Cadillac sedan deville caught on fire on 3-20-10 after I started the engine. I had it towed to a local dealership which informed me that there was an open recall on the engine fuel rail which I was not aware of. I contacted general motors and informed them of the damages to my car and they told me that the statue of limitation had expired on my car. My problem is how could they have forseen that this was going to happen unless they knew that there was a problem. I was informed that the statue of limitation expired on 2-13-02 and the recall was issued until 4-16-04 which does not make sense unless they knew there was a problem and just didnt do anything about it. My question is did I have to get burnt or lose my life in that car for general motors to take responsibilty for what happened to my car. …
Northstar engine problem - the head bolts pulled loose causing engine coolant to leak into the exhaust. Had inserts put in by local mechanic who had previously done two such repairs (Cadillac advised that it only had a 60% chance of fixing the problem if they did the work and the cost would be $3,000 - $4,000). Car had about 70,000 miles on it at time of failure. Car ran well until October 2008 when coolant loss started again. Have tried various sealant but it is likely the head bolts again. An aluminum block with aluminum heads and high compression appears to be combine with a weak design of the head bolts. From what I hear all northstar's of this era will have this problem at some point and the problem was not fixed until 2001 or so. It is said that a jeg's motor has addressed this problem but at a cost of what, $3,000 plus installation? …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated the vehicle would intermittently stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated the crank shaft sensors, sparks plugs and idle air control valve needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. . The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the crank shaft position sensors,wiring, sparks plugs and idle air control valve. However the failure persisted. The contact stated NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags , electrical system) is the same failure he experienced. However, the recall did not include the contact's year make or model. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 07-23-14 updated 7/31/14
GM has a known problem with the cadallic northstar 4.6l head gaskets. They broke down between 70,000 and 140,000 miles GM will not assist in the repair of the head gaskets. Our Cadillac is a 1996 with 72,000 miles and has had the leaking since 40,000 miles. The dealer was and is willing to repair for approx. $3500.00. We have never been told about the lawsuit that was files and the dealer has known about the dex coolant problem. The dealer will not guarantee the head gasket they said was needed . I did not know that there were service bullittins on putting inserts in the block for the head bolts. I think over 50% of these engines have had the gasket replaced. This was a problem, but I know that they like the money that it brings in to them.
When driving at any speed consumer heard knocking sound coming from the engine. Dealer examined the vehicle, but would only change the oil. The noise is still being heard while the vehicle is on.
GM has a known problem with the cadallic northstar 4.6l head gaskets. They broke down between 70,000 and 140,000 miles GM will not assist in the repair of the head gaskets. At the dealer by my house there were 3 of these vehicles in the shop in the last week they claimed that they did 2 a month. This was only one dealer yes this could be on a car that was a 1994 or up that I know off. This was a $3500-$6500 repair they will not guarantee the repalacment of just the head gasket they said was needed . I know that there were service bullittins on putting inserts in the block for the head bolts. I think over 50% of these engines have had the gasket replaced or a new engine put in from the little bit of research I have had a chance to do, and the dealer have called a few . This was a problem, but I know that they like the money that it brings in to them. …
1. Engine over heat, the car has over 120 ticket repair, the water pump was replaced 3 times, engine was replaced two time, program control module replaced 3 time, ESC module replaced 3 times, rediator was flushed, hoses replaced at my cost., after replacing the fisrt engine, car heat up to 248f that broke time serts, cooling was coming as steam will driving from the engine made hard to see. Now enen after replacing the second engine still the engine will heat up quickly if driving at low spead or short idle or climimng a short hile. Dealer don't know how to handle the problem, car this year only was at the dealer over 60 bussines day alone, as for the engine oil consumtion, prior to replacing the engine, the engile will consum 1 qtr per 1000 mile, the car will give an indication of adding oil after 2000 miles before I get the chance to change oil. …
I had a oil cinsumption problem the car had been using 3 qts of oil every 1800 miles. We found out from a tech that work there at the dealership that there had been a notice sent out to all tech that there was a problem with this and had been for sometime with the northstar engine. And that there still is. The problem is with carbon built up in the rings they added a cleaner to take the carbon off. This is all at the cost of the customer . Which was $524.24 and has not taken care of the problem. I called Cadillac they told me I was not to get this information it was for teck use only.
Engine complaints in other Seville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Cadillac Seville?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Cadillac Seville, 22% of the model year's 122 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Cadillac Seville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Cadillac Seville, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Cadillac Seville engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.