2003 Cadillac Seville Problems & Complaints

Better than average74% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Seville at the same age

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Seville with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 74% fewer than a typical Seville model year at the same age, making the 2003 one of the better Seville years. The most reported problem area is the body & structure (3 complaints, typically around 145,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

16complaints
1recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2003 Cadillac Seville problems

  • Body & structure~145,000 miles
    319%
  • Engine & cooling~4,000 miles
    213%
  • Suspension~47,000 miles
    213%
  • Lights~50,000 miles
    213%
  • Steering~81,000 miles
    213%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~49,000 miles
    213%
  • Other / not specified~112,000 miles
    213%
  • Speed control & acceleration~19,000 miles
    16%
  • Brakes~19,000 miles
    16%
  • Stability & traction control~60,000 miles
    16%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~145,000 miles
    16%

Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Cadillac Seville complaints by model year

199519961997199819992000200120022003200474122956573385345169
Owner complaints per model year, Cadillac Seville. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Seville years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1996, 1997, 1999. Compare all years →

2003 Cadillac Seville recalls (1)

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 03V-238 · Jul 1, 2003 · 102,212 vehicles

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…

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.

What 2003 Cadillac Seville owners say

Body & structure

I driving on I-20 west going approximately 70 MPH when right rear tire blew. I stopped in emergency lane and my car wouldn't stay cranked. There were 7 wires that were cut in half. I couldn't crank car because the wires went to fuel system and had to have car towed and someone travel 3 hrs one way to pick me up.

Body · 145,000 miles · Oct 2017

Front frame member collides with ground even on shallow driveways and drainage swales. Front end is much too close to the ground. Inspected several sevilles of this model and found deep gouges in front frame members. Is frame weakened? Dealer and GM rep say damage is normal and nothing can be done. Has happened since first month of ownership. Dealer technician says, "that's normal - they are all gouged and scraped like that."

Frame and members › Underbody shields · 0 miles · Apr 2003

2003 Cadillac Seville engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automaticFWD16 / 25 / 19

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2003 Cadillac Seville a good car?

Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Seville rates better than average: 74% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Seville at the same age. It is one of the best Seville years by this measure. 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 2003 Cadillac Seville?

The body & structure — 3 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frame and members › underbody shields. Next are the engine & cooling (2) and suspension (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Seville have?

There is 1 recall for the 2003 Cadillac Seville, the most recent from July 1, 2003 (tank assembly). 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 2003 Cadillac Seville problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 58% 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.