VehicleVerdict

2003 Cadillac Seville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2003 Cadillac Seville — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Seville years?

Seville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Seville years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Cadillac Seville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure316%
Engine211%
Transmission211%
Lighting211%
Other211%
Steering211%
Suspension211%
Fuel System15%
Brakes15%
Electrical System15%
Speed Control15%

Does the 2003 Cadillac Seville have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V238000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 2003 · 102,212 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

Consequence

FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I DRIVING ON I-20 WEST GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. I STOPPED IN EMERGENCY LANE AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STAY CRANKED. THERE WERE 7 WIRES THAT WERE CUT IN HALF. I COULDN'T CRANK CAR BECAUSE THE WIRES WENT TO FUEL SYSTEM AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND SOMEONE TRAVEL 3 HRS ONE WAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 7, 2017

“THE VEHICLE BURNED A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT GMC IS FRAUDULENTLY MISINFORMING THE PUBLIC OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM PER DEALER SERVICE MANUAL. *SC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 30, 2004

“THE FRAME BROKE. IT CAME APART - A FULL BREAK. I HAD DROPPED IT OFF AT MY GARAGE AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE. WHEN THEY MOVED IT INTO THE SHOP THEY FRAME CAME APART. I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING. I HOPE THE 5 PICTURES WERE UPLOADED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 25, 2015

“2003 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED STABILIZER BAR BOLTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE, WHEN HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS HAD BROKE IN HALF. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 1, 2012

“THIS CAR HAS THE SAME OR SIMILAR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP THAT GM IS NOW RECALLING FOR OTHER MODELS. THE POWER PUMP WILL JUST STOP WORKING AND THEN IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN. IT USUALLY STOPS WORKING AT LOW SPEEDS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN LOOKING ON-LINE I NOTICE THERE ARE A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 2, 2014

2003 Cadillac Seville — common questions

Is the 2003 Cadillac Seville reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 Seville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (3 complaints), lighting (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2003 Cadillac Seville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Cadillac Seville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.