Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2004 Cadillac Seville loses all power steering when driving in any wet conditions! But for the grace of god, I could have been killed due to this defect on several occasions. I now refuse to drive my car in or after rain. Obviously, this causes frequent problems for me both personally and business wise. I've been told that this make and model has no splash guard. Too bad I wasn't informed of this prior to purchasing. Anyone else had this problem? Comments and solutions are welcomed. GM nor the Cadillac dealer have been any help. My family has my blessings to sue if & when I die from it! :( [redacted] in florida
My 2004 Seville loses all power steering, and I lose control of the vehicle do to the lack of being able to steer the vehicle. Now I have been experience problems with my service stability light coming on after these occurrences when driving in any wet conditions! , I could have been killed due to this defect on several occasions. I now refuse to drive my car in or after rain. Obviously, this causes frequent problems for me both personally and business wise. I have also find it really unfair do to paying 50,000+ for a vehicle with less then 90,000 miles on it to have such problems. The car has been and stays maintained regularly.
Engine cradle/frame is severely degrading structurally due to the northern states practices of salting/sanding roads during the winter months. The integrity of the sub-frame steel structure is such that normal use of the vehicle, its suspension, steering and drive train stability has been compromised. The manufactures use of substandard metals in its sub-frames is the reason for this vehicles instability issues. The vehicle has now been parked for the last 4 years for fear of a potential hazardous outcome, related to the drive-train frame instability, which May cause injury to not only the occupants of the vehicle but also anyone else sharing the road.
Car snakes extremely bad around 45 to 70 MPH so bad it shakes the entire car like my wheels are loose or bent and so I bought 4 new wheels and got alignment no help did research and learned that it is due to type of torque converter in the car is a bad brand that messes up a lot and that GM hasn't acknowledged the issue which is such a shame and a sham that I hate they are doing because it is an expensive fix and I have to foot the bill plus bushing are low grade in front end and you would think be high end vehicle should be high end parts happened first on highway and has progressively gotten worse
While making a right turn consumer noticed a loud popping noise, and then lost total steering control. Vehicle continued on, and hit a curb before stopping. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. The cause of the steering lock up was not determined.
The power steering becomes inoperable at low speeds, causing significant risks in proper maneuvering. The safety of pedestrians is of particular concern, as one incident recently demonstrated, when I could not turn the wheel fast enough. I had to jerk the car to a stop, nearly scaring the life out of a middle aged woman. The car is virtually impossible to parallel park.
Tl* - while pulling out into traffic from his driveway on 12-14-06 contact noticed that the steering on the vehicle felt unusual. The contact continued to drive. On 12-16-06, the contact looked under the vehicle to notice that the tie rod and the rack and pinion steering had broken. The contact currently has his vehicle at the dealership and they are telling him that there isn't a recall for his tie rod assembly. The contact states that he went on the NHTSA website and that there is a recall for the tie rod assembly (NHTSA campaign id number : 99V301000). The contact would like to know what he can do to have his vehicle covered under the recall. If any copy of the invoice is needed contact can provide a copy
When coming to a stop noise coming from brakes, caliper assembly- r&r front both. Noise in power steering, order power steering pump. A/C knob for rear vent missing and switch broke, switch, control assembly blower moter, replace A/C rear.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for presence and proper torque of both steering gear bolts. Owner notification began April 5, 2002.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod.
Remedy: Dealers will check and adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Seville years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (16), 1997 (16), 1998 (10), 1999 (8) and 2001 (8) model years. Steering complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Seville steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 02V-067 (gear box (other than rack and pinion), Mar 6, 2002); 99V-301 (tie rod assembly, Oct 29, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac Seville steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (13 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (11).
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.