1996 Cadillac Seville Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Seville years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Cadillac Seville. That is the most of any Seville model year in the database (10 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (25 complaints, 20%), typically at around 78,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 7 fires, 8 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 122owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 8complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Cadillac Seville problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 25 | 20% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 24 | 20% | 85,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 | 16% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 16 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 11 | 9% | 118,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 10 | 8% | 114,645 | — | — |
| Visibility | 7 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 5% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 71,750 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 2% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 117,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Cadillac Seville recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction may degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that may crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line. The recall began on june 2, 2004, for 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora vehicles. Owners of 1995 cadillacs and 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora were sent letters on august 6, 2004. Additional letters to owners will be forthcoming. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Equipment:electrical
Problem: The analog instrument panel cluster on these vehicles could have an internal short circuit disrupting the pass key system, causing failure of the instrument panel gauges and tell-tales, and a possible no-start condition. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays;" no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment;" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: if the short circuit occurs while driving, the instrument panel cluster will go blank, causing loss of gauge function and all teel-tale indicators except for abs, sir, park brake and service engine soon. The loss of all tell-tales for seat belts, turn signals, high beam, hazard, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and others result in noncompliance with these safety standards.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel rail leaks (EA04003) — opened Feb 3, 2004, closed Apr 23, 2004, led to recall 04V110000.
- Fuel rail leakage (PE03050) — opened Oct 30, 2003, closed Feb 3, 2004.
- Power rack and pinion steering failure (RQ03001) — opened Jan 2, 2003, closed Sep 15, 2003.
- Inadvertent air bag deployment (EA98004) — opened Feb 24, 1998, closed Jun 16, 1998, led to recall 98V115000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owned a 1996 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated while parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vents. The contact was able to exit the vehicle, and once the contact exited the vehicle, the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac seville. While driving 30 mph, the front driver and passenger side air bags suddenly deployed without impact or warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician noticed water leaking from the air conditioning unit into…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac seville. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak. Also, when the vehicle was started, the pass key lock warning indicator flashed. The key would not turn over to start the vehicle on several occasions. The vehicle was unable to be driven each time the…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac seville. While approaching a stop, the front driver and passenger air bags deployed independently and without impact. The contact sustained abrasions to the right arm, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac seville. The contact stated the vehicle would intermittently stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated the crank shaft sensors, sparks plugs and idle air control valve needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. . The…
Other Cadillac Seville years
← 1995 Seville · 1997 Seville →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Seville | 9 | 0 |
| 2003 Seville | 16 | 1 |
| 2002 Seville | 45 | 2 |
| 2001 Seville | 53 | 1 |
| 2000 Seville | 38 | 2 |
| 1999 Seville | 73 | 1 |
| 1998 Seville | 65 | 2 |
| 1997 Seville | 95 | 2 |
| 1996 | 122 | 2 |
| 1995 Seville | 74 | 2 |
See all Cadillac Seville problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.
Similar Cadillac models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Cadillac Seville?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 25 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Cadillac Seville?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Cadillac Seville a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Seville model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.