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 1999 Cadillac Seville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
This May be nothing you can help with, however the northstar engines made by GM have had a defect for many, many years. There are no records that you have checked into the problems with this. It regards the head gaskets breaking at an alarming and consistent rate for the past 10 years! Ask any mechanic about this. Around 100,000 miles on the engine the head gaskets break, and coolant leaks into the engine. No one will replace the gaskets. All you can do is spend a small fortune ($5,000 to $9,000) on a new engine. A waste of money since the next northstar engine will probably do the same thing. This is something that GM knows about and continues to ignore. No wonder they are going out of business. After 100 years they still cannot produce a reliable engine! If you expect americans to continue buying American cars, especially cadillacs, please do some research on this. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Seville sts. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle began to overheat abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the gasket replaced around the cooling system yet the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the engine replacement and the manufacturer informed the contact that they were unable to provide any assistance. The contact stated the manufacturer should be held responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 76,000.
I serviced my 1999 Cadillac Seville in November 2004. It only has 31,000 miles and is driven on freeway only. The car stalled for no reason when I last drove it and now will not start. Battery is fine, power kicks on but engine will not respond. This is frightening as it dies while I was in an intersection during a u-turn. Warranty just expired and I will be taking it to the dealer 1/10 (at my cost). I think they should step up to the plate. It was not surprising to see 7 other complaints against the same year's model.
While driving at highway speed, mostly when slowing down quickly, vehicle stalls & dies. When this occurs vehicle loses all power. Happens every few weeks; starts right up again after coming to stop, but it's difficult to stop because no power brakes, steering, etc. Very dangerous. I want this to be a record of the problem in case I am killed in accident following an occurance of this type.
While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled with out any warning. After a few minutes the vehicle would start up as if nothing had happened. The vehicle had been to the dealer for this problem twice already for this same problem and needed to go to the shop again. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.
While driving at any speed, but mostly when slowing down, vehicle died. When this occurred vehicle lost all power, almost resulted in a rear end collision. Although dealership serviced the vehicle 6 times it was unable to resole the problem.
My son almost died on October 25, 2013 in his 1999 Cadillac Seville in our driveway while he was relaxing in it with his dog. He had fallen asleep waiting for his mother/my wife and the engine caught fire. He needed to climb out of window and pull his dog through the window. He injured himself and went to hospital. The fire was so intense that the engine fell apart from heat, the cabin was destroyed, front tires are gone/melted while trunk and gas tank were relatively fine. The police and fire departments responded to this disaster in our driveway. My son also lost various personal possessions and his transportation to work. It has been several months since my son's near death experience and the only thing GM says is that the fire damaged the car and there is nothing it can do. …
The car has stalled 4 times.. Always at slow speeds.. Every 3-6 months..the dealer cannot duplicate the problem... And nothing shows up in the computer..the last time the car almost roled into a fast moving intersection.. People would have been killed... For sure.. The dealer has seen it all 4 times.. They cant fix it. It is still under factory warranty..I opened a case with Cadillac..1-22953970..they dismissed me becasue the dealer could not duplicate the problem..it does not qualify for the michigan lemon law becase I am not the original purchaser..I bought it used from capitol Cadillac..this car is not safe to drive.. For me or for someone that I would sell it to..I need help.. Because I beleive it has a manufacturers defect.. I dont know who the original owner was.. Nor if they had this problem.. The first time it happened was 3 months after we bought it.. …
NHTSA investigations
Cadillac coolant cooled alternator fires
Engine complaints in other Seville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Cadillac Seville?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Cadillac Seville, 36% of the model year's 73 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Cadillac Seville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Cadillac Seville, though it has 1 recall 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 1999 Cadillac Seville engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.