Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Cadillac SevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Seville. Most complaints involve steering (6) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
17
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Cadillac Seville as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2004 – Jan 2016
  1. Steering6
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Suspension2
  4. Engine and engine cooling2
  5. Exterior lighting2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

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
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

6 reports
“MY 2004 SEVILLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING, AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO TO THE LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY SERVICE STABILITY LIGHT COMING ON AFTER THESE OCCURRENCES WHEN DRIVING IN ANY WET CONDITIONS! , I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS DEFECT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I NOW REFUSE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN OR AFTER RAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THIS CAUSES FREQUENT PROBLEMS FOR ME BOTH PERSONALLY AND BUSINESS WISE. I HAVE ALSO FIND IT REALLY UNFAIR DO TO PAYING 50,000+ FOR A VEHICLE WITH LESS THEN 90,000 MILES ON IT TO HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN AND STAYS MAINTAINED REGULARLY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2012Steering, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 10488929

Electrical system

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2014Electrical systemODI 10655392

Suspension

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2011SuspensionODI 10406217
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions 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 9, 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
162419$3,300468
Seville
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, STS/DTS · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
  • Seville
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Seville
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, STS/DTS
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 2004 Cadillac Seville as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1049
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

2004 Seville questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Seville have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac Seville problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (6), electrical system (2), suspension (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Cadillac Seville get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Cadillac Seville at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026