1988 Cadillac Seville

○ Not enough data
1988 Cadillac Seville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:52:53.275Z

Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
11

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 11 complaints 1987: 11 complaints 1988: 11 complaints 1988 11 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 19 complaints 1991: 21 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 57 complaints 1995: 74 complaints 1996: 122 complaints 1996 1997: 95 complaints 1998: 65 complaints 1999: 73 complaints 1999 2000: 38 complaints 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 45 complaints 2002 2003: 16 complaints 2004: 9 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 11 complaints 1987: 11 complaints 1988: 11 complaints 1988 11 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 19 complaints 1991: 21 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 57 complaints 1995: 74 complaints 1995 1996: 122 complaints 1997: 95 complaints 1997 1998: 65 complaints 1999: 73 complaints 1999 2000: 38 complaints 2001: 53 complaints 2001 2002: 45 complaints 2003: 16 complaints 2003 2004: 9 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 11 complaints 1986 1987: 11 complaints 1987 1988: 11 complaints 1988 11 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 19 complaints 1990 1991: 21 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 57 complaints 1994 1995: 74 complaints 1995 1996: 122 complaints 1996 1997: 95 complaints 1997 1998: 65 complaints 1998 1999: 73 complaints 1999 2000: 38 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2001 2002: 45 complaints 2002 2003: 16 complaints 2003 2004: 9 complaints 2004

1988: 11 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19820
19832
19841
19856
198611
198711
198811
19895
199019
199121
199227
199344
199457
199574
1996122
199795
199865
199973
200038
200153
200245
200316
20049

Known problem areas

Only 11 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Service brakes

4 of 11 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

2 of 11 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 11 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The front motor mounts broke, and the car went completely out of control. The car hit a wall and was completely totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-03-01

Exterior lighting

2 of 11 total reports mention: exterior lighting, most commonly citing headlights.

Wheels

1 of 11 total reports mentions: wheels, most commonly citing lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.

Show complaint excerpts

Left front wheel broke loose from studs to the point of almost falling off vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-06

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  2. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Cadillac Seville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Cadillac Seville reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Cadillac Seville?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Cadillac Seville have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.