MYRModel Year Report

1996 Cadillac Seville

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Cadillac Seville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:40:35.521Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
122
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

23% of complaints

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 1987 1988: 11 complaints 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 19 complaints 1990 1991: 21 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 57 complaints 1995: 74 complaints 1996: 122 complaints 1996 122 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 1987 1988: 11 complaints 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 19 complaints 1991: 21 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 57 complaints 1995: 74 complaints 1996: 122 complaints 1996 122 1997: 95 complaints 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 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 122 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

1996: 122 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

FIREDEATH

Electrical system

20% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and ignition.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While backing out of the driveway, smoke came from the dashboard. The consumer exited the vehicle, and it started to burn. Prior to the fire, there was a smell of gas.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-29

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Seville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the entire instrument panel went black with the exception of the radio component.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-03

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS. The contact was traveling 30 MPH when an error message appeared indicating that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-19

Fuel system, gasoline

17% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing fuel rail and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving. The consumer smelled gas fumes. The consumer then noticed a little smoke, she then pulled into a parking lot away from others, lifted the hood and flames ignited.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-29

Steering

14% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving vehicle about 45MPH when the steering wheel suddenly locked up; very hard to steer; wife helped steer to side of rd.; called Cadillac helpline & told 96 chasiss put on 95 body frame & caused water to be thrown on belts from tires, that's...

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-07-11

Equipment

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing air conditioner and radio/tape deck/cd etc..

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1995-12-08Equipment95V224000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 122 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    1998-02-24Engineering analysisClosed 1998-06-16 Inadvertent air bag deployment
  4. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  5. I
    2003-10-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-02-03 Fuel rail leakage
  6. I
    2004-02-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-23 Fuel rail leaks
  7. R
    2004-06-02Fuel system, gasoline04V110000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Cadillac Seville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 24 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V224000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Cadillac Seville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Cadillac Seville is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Cadillac Seville?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Cadillac Seville have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

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