Model year guide

1998 Cadillac Seville

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Cadillac Seville is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

1998 Cadillac Seville — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Cadillac Seville at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints66
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,118

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

1998 Cadillac Seville recalls 2

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator NHTSA Campaign #99V070000 · manufacturer #99013 · 12/04/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer NHTSA Campaign #98V144000 · 26/06/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.

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.

1998 Cadillac Seville common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 66 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.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

1998 Cadillac Seville MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

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

What's a 1998 Cadillac Seville worth?

Low
$650
Typical price
$1,118
High
$2,200

From 11 comparable 1998 Cadillac Seville listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Cadillac Seville costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

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
201.2 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
55.5 in
Wheelbase
112.2 in
Curb weight
3,973–4,001 lb
Front track
61.4 in
Rear track
61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Cadillac Seville — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

CADILLAC COOLANT COOLED ALTERNATOR FIRES Closed

NHTSA #RQ99013 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jun 1999 · closed Feb 2002

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

Manufacturer service bulletins 85

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 85.

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 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Cadillac Seville. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

On certain vehicles, a rectifier bridge short may develop in the generator even when the engine is off. The electrical short could cause an engine compartment fire that could spread to the rest of the vehicle. Correction: Dealers will replace the generator on affected vehicles.

Transport Canada #1999058 · Apr 1999

Visual System

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 104 - WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR LOW SPEED FUNCTION MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM HIGH SPEED TO LOW SPEED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WH…

Transport Canada #1998129 · Jun 1998

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.

1998 Cadillac Seville trims & engines on record

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

1998 Cadillac Seville vehicles on record

1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y8WU911813 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5491WU925835 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y8WU923427 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y5WU933879 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y8WU919782 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5496WU924227 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y6WU900504 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y3WU926655 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5499WU923900 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y4WU931055 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville STS1G6KY5494WU917700 1998 Cadillac Seville 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS1G6KS54Y5WU918217

Other Cadillac Seville model years

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1987 1984

1998 Cadillac Seville — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Cadillac Seville have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 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 1998 Cadillac Seville?

Across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, steering, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Cadillac Seville get?

The 1998 Cadillac Seville has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 1998 Cadillac Seville worth?

Comparable 1998 Cadillac Seville listings run roughly $650–$2,200, typically around $1,118 (from 11 vehicles).

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