1998 Cadillac Seville
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 21 of 65 complaints (32%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 95 in 1997 to 65 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300 | 3,450 | 4,300 | 4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 24 | 15 / 24 | 15 / 24 | 15 / 24 | 15 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | 494 | 468 | |
| Complaints filed | 122 | 95 | 65 | 73 | 38 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Cadillac Seville have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Cadillac Seville?
Engine: 21 of 65 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Cadillac Seville get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Cadillac Seville?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · Campaign 99V070000 · Apr 15, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.
Consequence: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER · Campaign 98V144000 · Jun 30, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.