IllustrationENGINE BOLCK THREADS FOR HEAD BOLTS FAILED, RESULTING IN BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.
1994 Cadillac Seville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Seville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 50 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
21 reportsOIL PAN IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINS HAVE DEFECT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF AND WILL FIX IN ANY UNIT UNDER WARENTY OR EXTENDED INSURANCE PROGRAMS. THE PROBLEM IS A STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS OF THE CAST METAL OF THE OIL THE OIL PAN IS CONSTRUCTED....MINUTE CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE METAL AROUND THE RETAINING SCREWS OF THE OIL PAN AND EXCESSIV…
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OIL PAN IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINS HAVE DEFECT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF AND WILL FIX IN ANY UNIT UNDER WARENTY OR EXTENDED INSURANCE PROGRAMS. THE PROBLEM IS A STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS OF THE CAST METAL OF THE OIL THE OIL PAN IS CONSTRUCTED....MINUTE CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE METAL AROUND THE RETAINING SCREWS OF THE OIL PAN AND EXCESSIVE SEEPAGE IS ENCOUNTERED CAUSING AT THE LEAST AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. OWNERS WITHOUT THE ABOVE COVERAGE ARE FORCED TO PAY EXTENSIVE REPAIR COSTS WHICH SHOULD BE BORN BY MANUFACTURER WHENEVER THE PROBLEM DEVELOPS. I HAVE A DEFINITE FEAR OR REPRECUSION AND DO NOT WANT MY IDENTY OR MY VEHICLE IDENTY MADE PUBLIC.
LEAKS OIL FROM FROM JOINT SEAL, MAKES ANNOYING METALLIC TICKING KNOCK SOUND. $48,000 CAR... FEELS LIKE A HI-MILEAGE NOISY JOLLOPY THATS GOING TO IMPLODE.
NO SUMMARY
CYLINDER HEAD BOLT HOLE THREADS IN ENGINE BLOCK FAILED AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND LOSS OF COOLANT. TEMPERATURE ELEVATED RAPIDLY THROUGH 255 DEG.F. PRIOR TO "ENGINE SHUTDOWN WARNING". CAR HAS BEEN DOWN FOR A MONTH AND A HALF DUE TO PARTS PROBLEMS. *AK
OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING.....THERES BEEN A SERVICE BULLITEN ALERT PUT OUT ON THIS IN FEB. 1996. MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1997 AND THE GASKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. OIL IS LEAKING FAIRLY BAD AND I WAS INFORMED BY CADILLAC MECHANIC THAT THE OIL GOING BACK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE CAD. CONVERTER COULD CAU…
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OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING.....THERES BEEN A SERVICE BULLITEN ALERT PUT OUT ON THIS IN FEB. 1996. MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1997 AND THE GASKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. OIL IS LEAKING FAIRLY BAD AND I WAS INFORMED BY CADILLAC MECHANIC THAT THE OIL GOING BACK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE CAD. CONVERTER COULD CAUGHT FIRE. I'M TRYING TO GET CADALLIC TO REPLACE THIS GASKET AT THEIR COST. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1500.00 TO REPLACE THIS $28.00 PART. ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
DEALER NEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM ON 93-94 SEVILLES I WAS NOT INFORMED WHEN I BOUGHT IT. NO DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
WHILE PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *AK
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED,CONSUMER NEVER RECIEVED RECALL ON AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OULET HOSE WHICH WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE A/C CLUTCH. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.
ENGINE HAD A SEVERE OIL LEAK DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM.
Official recalls
294V158000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
Aug 31, 1994
IF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CONTACTS THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUT HOSE, THE HOSE MAY WEAR THROUGH ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OIL LEAK THAT CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO RETAIN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE TO THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ASSURING ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OF THE AFFECTED HOSE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
93V164000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 1, 1993
THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE RETAINING BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DISENGAGED THROTTLE CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THETHROTTLE CAM MECHANISM, RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE STICKING IN EITHER THE OPENPOSITION OR CLOSED POSITION. WHEN THE THROTTLE STICKS IN THE OPEN POSITION,UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WILL OCCUR WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT THROTTLE CABLES TO ENSURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE IS FULLY SEATED IN THE RETAINING BRACKET AND INSTALL A CABLE TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE CABLE IN ITS CORRECT SEAT.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE94053 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 14, 1994 · Closed Sep 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
SQ94016 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Feb 7, 1994 · Closed Mar 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
There is no summary currently available