Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 78 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Seville year — the 1998 model ranks #5 of 29 Seville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Engine leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (28% of the total).
78
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
2
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 28% | — flat |
| Steering | 10 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 6 | 8% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 6 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 6 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 6 | 8% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 6 | 8% | — flat |
| Brakes | 4 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN DEVELOP IN THE GENERATOR, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF.
Consequence
THE ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING NEAR IT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERATOR.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 'LOW' SPEED FUNCTION CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED FROM 'HIGH' TO 'LOW' SPEED.
Consequence
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS WHEN A PASSER BY INFORMED HIM TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *NLM. *AK *CB *NLM THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT AND WAS TOLD THE FIRE HAD COME FROM THE ENGINE.…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE STEERING FAILED, ANOTHER…”
“I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS AND WAS GOING THROUGH LEFT CURVE ON ROAD 40-45 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING CAR TO SPIN LEFT THEN RIGHT. PARALLEL TO ROAD ON THE RIGHT AND CRASHING INTO A BIG ROCK BETWEEN TWO PONDS THAT SAVED MY LIFE. CAR HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. IS THERE ANY ONE ELSE THAT…”
“ASKED SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TIME VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. THE ANSWER WAS NO. ACCORDING TO THIS SITE, THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR ALTERNATOR/ GENERATOR POSSIBLY CAUSING GLOVE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH ON FIRE EVEN IF THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.*AK”
“DRIVING AT NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER BACK & FORTH (DARK, LIGHT, DARK, LIGHT). PASSENGER'S SIDE HAS 10 FEET BLACKOUT. TOOK TO DEALER. TOLD HADLIGHTS ARE DESIGNED WITH A CORRIGATED REFLECTOR BEHIND THEM, AND IT THROWS A VENETIAN BLIND EFFECT ONTO HIGHWAY, LIKE SHINING A LIGHT TROUGH A BLIND/ARK…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 78 complaints put the 1998 model at #5 of 29 Seville years. It is one of the Seville years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (22 complaints), steering (10 complaints), airbags (6 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Cadillac Seville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.