Most common 1999 Cadillac Seville problems
Share of the 73 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac Seville complaints by model year
Best Seville years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1996, 1997, 1999. Compare all years →
1999 Cadillac Seville recalls (1)
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An electrical short can develop in the generator, even when the engine is off.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the generator.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Cadillac Seville:
Cadillac coolant cooled alternator fires
What 1999 Cadillac Seville owners say
Engine & cooling all 26 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle. In addition, there was smoke and an abnormal odor. The exhaust manifold and the engine were being affected by the failure which could result in a fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced eleven gaskets within the engine, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99V070000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Update 1/13/16 ln
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was not diagnosed however, the temperature gauge and the water pump was replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 294,853.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle. In addition, there was smoke and an abnormal odor. The exhaust manifold and the engine were being affected by the failure which could result in a fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced eleven gaskets within the engine, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99V070000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Update 1/13/16 ln
Tl contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Seville. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the electrical component that controlled the steering and brakes suddenly failed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle which seemed to solve the problem. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the ECM (electronic control module) needed to be replaced. He called the manufacturer but was told that they could not assist him with the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were 50,142.
Suspension
Getting vibration on smooth roads at 60-68 MPH. Put on 4 new Michelin tires, replaced brake rotors, balanced all tires, still experience vibration. Dealer can't fix. What are other solutions besides saying tires are out of round?
Constant front end vibration at speeds of 65-70. Car has been back to the dealer numerous times and have not been able to solve the problem system did not allow me to add vehicle identification number.
1999 Cadillac Seville engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Cadillac Seville a good car?
Based on 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Seville rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Seville at the same age. It is one of the Seville years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Cadillac Seville?
The engine & cooling — 26 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the electrical system (16) and suspension (9).
How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Seville have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Cadillac Seville, the most recent from April 12, 1999 (alternator/generator/regulator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac Seville?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1997 and 1999. See the full Cadillac Seville years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Cadillac Seville problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.