VehicleVerdict

1986 Cadillac Seville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1986 Cadillac Seville — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Seville years?

Seville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted156 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 5 complaints1990: 24 complaints1991: 28 complaints1992: 31 complaints1993: 53 complaints1994: 66 complaints1995: 87 complaints1996: 156 complaints1997: 135 complaints1998: 78 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 57 complaints2001: 68 complaints2002: 66 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 12 complaints
Seville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Seville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Cadillac Seville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine643%
Steering214%
Brakes214%
Visibility & Wipers17%
Fuel System17%
Electrical System17%
Lighting17%

Does the 1986 Cadillac Seville have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

87V082000Speed ControlJune 4, 1987 · 37,481 units

Defect

FLOOR MAT COULD BECOME MISPOSITIONED AND INTERFERE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE CLOSED IDLE POSITIONCAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASHWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE FLOOR MATS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED MATS THAT ARE LONGER AND HAVE IMPROVED RETENTION.

87V047000LightingApril 6, 1987 · 56,783 units

Defect

THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL POTENTIOMETER (THUMBWHEEL CONTROL) MIGHT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

WITH THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL SYSTEM ON, THE INTERMITTENTCIRCUIT COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO GO OUT. SUDDENLOSS OF HEADLIGHTS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY AND MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW PART IN ONE OF THE VEHICLES CONTROL COMPUTERS TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS NOT CONNECTED AND FUMES THAT WERE RELEASED PUT CONSUMER TO SLEEP AT RED LIGHTS. ONCE CONSUMER HEARD CAR HITTING CONCRETE RAILS, AND COULD NOT WAKE UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEARED CATCHING A LIVER DISEASE. *AK DUE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 20, 2000 · crash

“WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED, ACCELERATOR PEDAL PULSATED, FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE CRUISE. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS NOT CONNECTED AND FUMES THAT WERE RELEASED PUT CONSUMER TO SLEEP AT RED LIGHTS. ONCE CONSUMER HEARD CAR HITTING CONCRETE RAILS, AND COULD NOT WAKE UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEARED CATCHING A LIVER DISEASE. *AK DUE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 20, 2000 · crash

“I PRESENTED A COPY OF THE FOLLOWING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 87V047000 COMPONENT: LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS RECALL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE NO RE CALLS ON THIS CAR. SHOULD THE DEALER FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE? THANK YOU CONRAD SIMONEAU”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 1999

1986 Cadillac Seville — common questions

Is the 1986 Cadillac Seville reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Seville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), steering (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Cadillac Seville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Cadillac Seville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Cadillac Seville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Seville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Seville years to avoid are 1996, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, 1994, 2000, 1993, 1992. The cleanest record among Seville years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.