Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Cadillac Seville, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 8 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 9% |
| Visibility | 4 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
FUEL LINE IS LEAKING AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART IN 1993. THERE SAYING THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE FUEL LINES. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL IN 1993 IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY FUEL L
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING. IT COULD START A FIRE AND I HAVE CHILDREN. I FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ALREADY ON ANOTHER SITE BUT DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD STILL BE VALID TO GET IT REPLACED. I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDIV
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
LOWER CONTROL ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE FAILURE. ROOT CAUSE: RUST. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 93 SEVILLE HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE REPLACED SOCKETS AND THEY CONTINUE TO BURN OUT, NOT THE BULB BUT THE SOCKETS? I HAVE ASKED OTHER SEVILLE OWNERS AND THEY TOO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH 1993 STS CADILLAC. (NAR) *PH *CB
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE CAR STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP. THE MECHANIC TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED, SENDING PIECES OF THE MANIFOLD THROUGHOUT THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 Cadillac Seville. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WERE NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED AND LOCKED. THE LINES CAN WORK LOOSE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN RESULT INUNDERHOOD FIRES IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST OR REPLACE THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
IF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CONTACTS THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUT HOSE, THE HOSE MAY WEAR THROUGH ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: AN OIL LEAK THAT CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO RETAIN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE TO THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ASSURING ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OF THE AF
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 8 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.