1998 Cadillac Seville: common problems and reliability
66 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about engine and engine cooling. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 1998 Seville?The 1998 Cadillac Seville has 66 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and steering. Owners most often flag northstar v8 head gasket failure: catastrophic failure leading to coolant loss, overheating, and engine damage; attributed to block porosity and head bolt design in early models (1993-1999), with some improvement in later years but reputation persists.
Safety record for the 1998 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Cadillac Seville vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1998 a good year for the Seville?
Across the 9 Seville model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2004) to 131 (1996). With 66 complaints, the 1998 Seville sits about the same as the model's median of 66.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1998 Seville
electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Campaign 99V070000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Campaign 98V144000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and powertrain.
- Very frequentNorthstar V8 Head Gasket Failure
Catastrophic failure leading to coolant loss, overheating, and engine damage; attributed to block porosity and head bolt design in early models (1993-1999), with some improvement in later years but reputation persists.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Seville. See the full Seville owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Seville listings typically run $5,337–$10,997 across 1982 to 2003 model years.
Other Seville model years
Compare every Seville year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Seville against its rivals
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