1990 Cadillac Seville: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Cadillac Seville: 2 recalls, 19 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #90V028000 · 1990 · 10,166 vehicles
What's wrong: Misaligned rear seat safety belt shoulder retractor assemblies could cause pendulum interference, causing the belt to remain in locked position or to travel freely without locking.
Why it matters: In the event of a panic stop or accident, if the belt retractor inertia lock does not engage, the rear seat occupant would have an increased likelihood of injury.
The fix: Realign rear shoulder belt retractor assembly.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #90V164000 · 1990 · 63,964 vehicles
What's wrong: Transaxle shift control cable May disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Why it matters: Driver would not be able to determine actual gearposition the transaxle is in, which could result in unexpected vehicle movementand an accident without prior warning.
The fix: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043004 · 1990 · 39 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gasesto escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (8): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (4).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 1990 Cadillac Seville has 19 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 15 Seville model years for complaints (well below the 50 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 45,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (21 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Cadillac Seville.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Cadillac Seville have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Cadillac Seville, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Cadillac Seville problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (8), brakes (hydraulic) (3), visibility (wipers, glass) (2).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Cadillac Seville get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Cadillac Seville repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.