Comments: 1-15, 16-28
Alternator changed due to recall, but GM gave me $100 gift certificate for the inconvenience - cool.
Several speakers in the Bose system have blown and had to be replaced - happened three different times. I suspect this is due to an anomaly in the electrical system, since I occasionally hear a very loud pop when engaging the ignition. Dealer can't find any electrical problem.
Starter failed and had to be replaced due to a "dead spot".
Bearing on the cabin blower fan failed - fan started making clinking sound when squirrel cage fan contacted the blower housing. Dealer replaced.
Power steering pump made whining noise when turning the steering wheel. Power steering fluid was a black color at 10,000 miles indicating something was wrong in the system. Dealer replaced pump and solved the problem.
Master brake cylinder failed and had to be replaced by Dealer. Slowly (thankfully) developed a sink of the brake pedal to the floor, until it was impossible to hold the car at a stop for the duration of a traffic light change. Very scary situation. The mechanic nearly ran through the back of his work stall when he pulled it in.
Water pump started leaking and was replaced.
"Transmission Fluid Life" indicator on the information panel has shown 100% since day one - does not decrement. Dealer can't resolve, so I gave up on it since I don't rely on it anyway.
Driver side seat heater quit working and had to be replaced.
"Check gas cap" indicator kept coming on. Over the course of at least six visits, the Dealer changed numerous components in the fuel system - all without results. Finally, they got it fixed, but they wouldn't/couldn't tell me what they did... so I suspect they just disabled the sensor or sending device.
Left rear strut leaking and had to be replaced. Shortly thereafter, the right one got jealous and did the same thing. Very expensive.
Power steering pressure sensor started leaking power steering fluid and was replaced.
Uses 1 qt. of oil every 1500 miles. Dealer says "they all do that". Hard to believe that this infamous Northstar jewel of an engine was designed to behave that way. It would be great if GM simply gave an honest answer - instead, you can read for yourself the canned "politically correct" response I received when I inquired. I didn't need a lesson on the function of oil in an engine, and I am smart enough to understand that a "standard rate of consumption" cannot be pinned down due to the variables to which they elude. So my visits to the auto parts store always include the purchase of a few quarts of oil, and into the truck they go until I next check my oil - you can bet that I will be cracking one of those quarts open. Here's what they responded::
Thank you for contacting the Cadillac Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us in regards to your 1999 Seville. We apologize for any frustrations that you may have endured.
The following is the information we have on oil consumption regarding Northstar engines.
A gasoline engine uses oil to lubricate the cylinder walls, pistons and piston rings. When the piston moves downward, a thin film of oil is left on the cylinder walls. On the firing stroke, a small amount is burned when the gasoline vapor is combusted. If an engine were to burn as much as one drop of oil every firing stroke, it would use more than one quart every two miles. Modern engines use much less oil than one drop, but all efficient engines use some oil. If they did not, they would quickly wear out.
A standard rate of consumption cannot be established because oil consumption depends upon the size of the engine, and quality and viscosity of the oil, the speed at which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature, and the amount of oil dilution and oxidation that takes place.
In addition, these normal factors that contribute to the difference in oil consumption may be misleading. A car, for example, that has run 1,000 miles or more in city operation may consume a normal amount of oil. Due to the dilution (condensation and fuel) in the crankcase, the dipstick measures up to the full mark. The car is then driven at high speed on the highway, the dilution elements may boil off rapidly and the car appears to use oil in a short amount of highway mileage.
If your engine has experienced a significant loss of oil, your engine parts may overheat due to lack of lubrication. This will in turn cause damage to your engine. You may get an oil consumption test at your local Cadillac dealer to see if your vehicle is operating within parameters.
If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our Cadillac Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-458-8006 and refer to your Service Request number 1-110164421. Customer Relationship Managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Again, thank you for contacting Cadillac.
Sincerely,
The Seville is a lot of fun to drive and rides like a dream, but you better have friends at the dealership, because you will likely be spending more time there than you care to.
Very quiet, can't hear engine idling and quiet on the open road too.
Very comfortable seats. Great on long trips. Carries passengers extremely well.
Awesome looks - great lines. I get a lot of compliments on the pearl white and polished chrome wheels.
Power to spare. Unbelievable passing experience and acceleration on entry ramp.
Super sound out of the Bose system.
Love the sporty sound of the big Northstar's exhaust system when you call out the horses.
For a $50,000 luxury car, far too many mechanical and electrical problems in 4 years of ownership.
GM should be ashamed that they can't do better under the covers, because they have a great product on the surface.
I think these cadillac owners are on mars, remember the old muscle car days?, those big v-8's burned oil like no end, you have to remember that these engines run very hot, and they will burn oil, I don't care if it's a bmw or an audi, I have owned a lot of seville's and have never had any electrical, engine, or the imaginary vibration in the front end, maybe you people should go buy a toyota, that's an american car, isn't it?
Struts very expensive? No kidding!!! I just got an estimate today to replace the struts on my '99 Seville. Parts only, before tax and labor...$2765 for the four struts! Does anybody PLEASE know of an aftermarket substitute/modification for this car? I can get by very nicely without the active suspension, I just want some shocks or struts at the corners.
I have a 97 Seville STS and "love" the car except - over the six years I have owned this car I have put far too many repairs into maintaining the vehicle. I too am experiencing some type of electrical problem whereby there is a registered power or electrical drain on the battery even when the car is turned off. I've spent over $200 and no diagnosis yet. I agree with someone else's comment that it is too bad that such a fine car on the outside can't be more dependable on the inside. My previous car was a Lexus and although it didn't have much pizazz, it ran like a gem. Maybe GM needs to hire some of their engineers. My lease expired at 65,000 miles on the Lexus and "nothing ever went wrong. I bought the STS with its Northstar engine and had the idea that I would drive it into the ground. I do have 90,000+ miles on it, but realize I picked the wrong car to "drive off into the sunset" with.
1997 Deville with only 55,000 miles also seems to eat oil. At 1000 miles reads low and takes 1 - 2 qts.
Also - at 1000 miles " oil life " down to 78 % - which seems low.
The above oil issues possibly normal for Northstar engine? Heard Notthstar known for high oil consumption.
Ed Webb commonwealth@msn.com.
I too have been having problem after problem with my 1998 STS. I too had an oil consumption problem and got the same lip service. I called Cadillac direct and explained the oil problem and they rebuilt my engine - completely! Problem went away. I had to replace all 4 struts around 50k miles. Again, I complained to Cadillac. They paid half the cost to replace them. I haven't had any electrical problems, but I am now faced with the AC not working. I have chosen to trade it in - enough already.
I bought a 1999 STS from a friend at a very reasonable price. Compared to the used junk I typically buy, this car rides like a dream. I have repaired my own cars over the years and intend to do the same with this one. I got a Service Engine Soon light along with a Check Gas Cap. I took the gas cap apart and didn’t find anything obvious. Bought another gas cap and still not good. Plugged in a lap top with a program and interrogated the signals but didn’t get too far so I reset it with the lap top. Later the signal came back. Does anyone know how to dummy in an OK signal to the computer that will not get detected by the emissions testing computer?
Uhm, the newer cadillacs (cts, sts, etc.) are great automobiles, but our model year cadillacs are crap. if you get sold for a 'great price', it's probably because it is time for the routine engine/gasket replacement on that cadillac.
To the user that insists that 'every great car uses oil', that's nonsense. I own a 98 seville sts and I concur with the user that stated these cars have too many problems for a car that costs so much. trade it in, sell it, and buy a lexus or a less gidget-intensive domestic.
In response to the Seville owner's comment on 11/15/06.
You said you get the 'check gas cap message'. I wouldn't worry too much about that, as long as you don't feel rough idle or car doesn't shut down at stop lights. This message can also likely trigger the check engine light. It happened to me also. Try this (what I did to remove the message), drive around until your gas tank is empty (i mean so empty the 'gas level low' message comes across the dash and blinks), then fill the tank up beyond max with premium fuel. twist the gas cap tightly back on. go into the OBD2 onboard and clear the trouble codes. see if it comes back on. I haven't seen that message since. it's worth a try. worked for me.
I have a 1999 cadi seville sls. The problem I have is the oil pressure low light keeps coming on when there is oil in the car. It also says stop engine.
High Quality aftermarket struts are avalable for the STS.
Less than $400 for the set. They also fool the system into thinking the original ones are still working.
I have a 1994 STS which I bought off-lease in 1997. Yes, the Northstar does use a little oil (mine is a quart every 1500-2000 miles) but c'mon.. big deal you add a quart at 1500 and change it at 3000 a quart down. Always used synthetics since I've owned it. Car now has 114,000 miles on it and runs better than new. Repairs - Power Window motors are a weak point, but used motors are $40 at the junkyard now. I've gone through 2 alternators (1 free), 1 starter, and an A/C compressor. Transmission is stock except new solenoids at 85K. Since all the major repairs were done at a Cadillac dealer they're now covered under a lifetime warranty. Struts are original as are the entire exhaust system except the Cat converter, all hoses, and the water pump. Four new coils, new plug wires, and new Champion Iridium Plugs at 100,000 miles. Upgraded brakes (Brembo slotted, carbon pads) and tires (Goodyear F1 D3 245/50WR16s just fit inside the wheel wells). Great car overall; very fast, handles well, and gets decent gas mileage to boot (17-18 around town, 25+ @ 74MPH on the interstate). Just bought a 1999 STS for a friend. Except for the power windows all electical items have worked flawlessly including the excellent Bose CD System.
Bought my '99' Seville two months ago, 107,000 miles. Had to do a tune up, but runs great, was low on oil when purcashed, added to it. I love the car and was able to talk to original owner, only had an alternator problem other than that, NOTHING, AS far as oil use, I don't know of any motor that does not do this, you folks must not know about cars and motors. I personally have done drag racing, own auto repair shops (2), built my own motors and others folks and I can tell you, no matter what car, you are going to have sum oil use over time, new or used. In fact look at your owners Manuel and it will tell you that it is normal for it to use oil during the BREAK IN period. Love my cadillac is all I can say.
I have a 99 Seville sts and it keeps overheating on the freeway. gas cap problem's, if you know how to help me please reply.
I bought a 1999 Seville STS. I'll be driving along and the Speedometer, Tach, Cruise Control, and Turn Signals will quit working. I"ll stop the car turn it off and then restart and they'll work again. It also seems that the car doesen't run right when this occurs. I will get a message sometimes that says the electrical system needs serviced, but doesen't throw any codes. Please if anybody has had this happened let me know what the problem is. I had a new computer put in and thought this would correct the problem, but hasen't. My GM mechanic can't figure it out.
Do any know why the car shakes, or has a slight mist to it, when it's in park?