Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Cadillac SevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Seville. Most complaints involve suspension (14) and engine and engine cooling (12). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2003
Owner complaints
68
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 1, 2003NHTSA 03V238000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.

SteeringReported Mar 6, 2002NHTSA 02V067000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

68 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2002 – Apr 2021
  1. Suspension14
  2. Engine and engine cooling12
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Steering8
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  6. Power train6
  7. Structure5
  8. Air bags4
  9. Engine4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Seville model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996122
199795
199865
199973
200038
200153
200268
200327
200417
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

14 reports
“CAR SNAKES EXTREMELY BAD AROUND 45 TO 70 MPH SO BAD IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE CAR LIKE MY WHEELS ARE LOOSE OR BENT AND SO I BOUGHT 4 NEW WHEELS AND GOT ALIGNMENT NO HELP DID RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT IT IS DUE TO TYPE OF TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE CAR IS A BAD BRAND THAT MESSES UP A LOT AND THAT GM HASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE WHICH IS SUCH A SHAME AND A SHAM THAT I HATE THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX AND I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL PLUS BUSHING ARE LOW GRADE IN FRONT END AND YOU WOULD THINK BE HIGH END VEHICLE SHOULD BE HIGH END PARTS HAPPENED FIRST ON HIGHWAY AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2021Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11413316

Engine and engine cooling

12 reports
“DIAGNOSTIC CHECK RESULTS: RANDOM MIX-FIRE (TUNE UP) SECONDARY AIR INJECTION EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SENSOR (PRESSURE IN TANK) TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID (INSIDE TRANSMISSION) ENGINE METAL OVER TEMP. STRUT & MAINTENANCE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2011Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Traction control systemODI 10423154

Electrical system

10 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ UPDATED 05/11/18*JB *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2015Electrical systemODI 10810113
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Seville
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$3,300468
  • Seville
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Cadillac Seville as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4521
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Seville questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Seville have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Cadillac Seville problems?

Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (14), engine and engine cooling (12), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Cadillac Seville get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Cadillac Seville at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026