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 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 9% |
| Steering | 5 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 7% |
| Engine | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 TORQ
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DRIVE TRAIN CRADLE HAS WEAKENED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM RUST. WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOOSENESS OF THE SUSPENSION FELT AND A SHIFTING EVIDENT WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. I RESIDE IN MINNESOTA AND THE D.O.T. USES SALT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU WINDOW, THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM EXPLODED AND SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR RE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS AND LANE CHANGES, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL CAP WARNING INDICATOR ILLU
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHILE STOPPED BEHIND 3 VEHICLES AT A STOPLIGHT I FLORIDA A FEMALE WHO SAID SHE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH DRIVING HER HUSBANDS STICK SHIFT VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME PULLED AROUND HER WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
104,000 MILES - TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING ON STREET AT 35 MPH. MANAGED TO PULL OVER THEN GOT CAR TO GOODYEAR. BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE TAPPING AGAINST TRANSMISSION CASING OVE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
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.
Risk: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN
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
Risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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-
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 8 of them (12%). There are 2 recalls 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 2002 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.