Model year guide

1997 Cadillac Seville

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Cadillac Seville is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

1997 Cadillac Seville — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Cadillac Seville at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints105
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$914

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Cadillac Seville recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #04V110000 · manufacturer #04014 · 04/03/2004

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.

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 AURO…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #97V064000 · 28/04/1997

THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Cadillac Seville common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1997 Cadillac Seville MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 1997 Cadillac Seville worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$914
High
$1,400

From 11 comparable 1997 Cadillac Seville listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Cadillac Seville costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
203.9 in
Width
74.4 in
Height
54.3 in
Wheelbase
111.0 in
Curb weight
3,832–3,869 lb
Front track
61.0 in
Rear track
61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Cadillac Seville — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

FUEL RAIL LEAKS Closed

ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 "C") TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRA…

NHTSA #EA04003 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Feb 2004 · closed Apr 2004

FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE Closed

THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BY DANA. THE FUEL RAIL JUMPER TUBES WERE MADE OF MONOLAYER NYLON 12 (PA12). IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998, THE JUMPER TUBE MATERIAL WAS CHANGED FROM PA12 TO M-BOND (A MULTI-LAYER PTFE/PA12). IN ADDITION, ALL SERVICE PARTS PRODUCED SINCE THE END OF PRODUCTION 1997 USE THE M-BOND JUMPER TUBES. MATERIAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY DANA ON FAILED FUEL RAILS SHOW…

NHTSA #PE03050 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 2003 · closed Feb 2004

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 43

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 43.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723B · Electrical System · Feb 2017

This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with visible rust and no action is needed as this does not affect the part performance.

Bulletin 17-NA-016 · Wheels · Feb 2017

This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with visible rust and no action is needed as this does not affect the part performance.

Bulletin 17-NA-016 · Wheels · Jan 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SEVILLE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Cadillac Seville. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module may cause the antilock brake system (ABS) to cycle during a non-ABS application. This may result in an increase in stopping distance and a possible vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module.

Transport Canada #1997091 · Apr 1997

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Cadillac Seville

The Cadillac Seville is a mid-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Cadillac brand from the 1976 to 2004 model years as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004 for the 2005 model year.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1997 Cadillac Seville trims & engines on record

Trims
SLS · STS
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl · 1.3L 4-cyl

1997 Cadillac Seville vehicles on record

1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y0VU832895 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y7VU807993 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5292VU800621 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y6VU839690 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5296VU825991 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5299VU810868 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5299VU836225 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y6VU839771 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y8VU841313 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y5VU836523 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y4VU805795 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y2VU822580 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y1VU819265 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5298VU835227 1997 Cadillac Seville 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS52Y6VU821626

Other Cadillac Seville model years

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1987 1984

1997 Cadillac Seville — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Cadillac Seville have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Cadillac Seville. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Cadillac Seville?

Across all 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Cadillac Seville get?

The 1997 Cadillac Seville has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 1997 Cadillac Seville worth?

Comparable 1997 Cadillac Seville listings run roughly $500–$1,400, typically around $914 (from 11 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.