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 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Cadillac Seville, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 11% |
| Suspension | 7 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 7% |
| Steering | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The hard fuel rail line has begun to leak and no GM dealers carries parts to resolve problem. The 1999 STS Cadillac is in good working condition but because of the leak, it is unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 TEMPERATUR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN I DRIVE AT ANY SPEED RANDOMLY THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY,WINDOWS DON'T WORK, AC GOES OFF BUT FAN STILL BLOWS, POWER LOCKS DON'T WORK, LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN I STOP AND GET OUT, BUT WHEN I PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND TURN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
APPLIED BRAKES AND FRONT END DID NOT DIP AS IT SHOULD HAVE; NO GRIPPING AS IT SHOULD HAVE; FELT GRINDING AND SLIPPAGE AS VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD WITHOUT LOSING ANY MOMENTUM. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT STOPPING DISTANCE THAT
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE 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 WHIC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.
Risk: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | 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 75 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 17 of them (23%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 65/100. 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.