Research · Midsize Cars

2003 Cadillac SevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 27 owner complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Seville. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and suspension (4). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2003
Owner complaints
27
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2003 – Sep 2021
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Suspension4
  3. Structure3
  4. Steering3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Exterior lighting3
  7. Power train2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic2

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BETWEEN 5 TO 50 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE DEALER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. UPDATED 02/21/06. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2006Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10149199

Suspension

4 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2012SuspensionODI 10485502

Structure

3 reports
“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 TO PICK ME UP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2018Structure, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11083751
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 2003 Cadillac Seville as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4967
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

2003 Seville questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Seville have?

1 safety recall 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 2003 Cadillac Seville problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), suspension (4), structure (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Cadillac Seville get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Cadillac Seville at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026