1998 Cadillac Seville: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Cadillac Seville: 2 recalls, 65 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #98V144000 · 1998 · 1,059 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshield wiper motor 'low' speed function can become inoperative when the motor is switched from 'high' to 'low' speed.
Why it matters: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, the driver's visibility could be affected.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover which contains the microprocessor.
Electrical Vehicle recall #99V070000 · 1999 · 29,766 vehicles
What's wrong: An electrical short can develop in the generator, even when the engine is off.
Why it matters: The electrical short could cause an engine compartment fire that could spread to the rest of the vehicle and anything near it.
The fix: Dealers will replace the generator.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), fire / smoke (2).
- Steering (10): the most common themes are steering problems (9), noise or vibration (2).
- Exterior lights (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Suspension (6): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
The 1998 Cadillac Seville has 65 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 15 Seville model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 50). Complaints peaked in 1999 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 79,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (95 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (73 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
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 1998 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.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1998 Cadillac Seville have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Cadillac Seville. 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 1998 Cadillac Seville problems?
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (20), steering (10), exterior lights (6).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Cadillac Seville get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.