Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
122Complaints
2Recalls
8Crashes
7Fires
8Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (12.3% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
15 · 12.3%
not available
—
Air Bags
8 · 6.6%
not available
—
Electrical System
7 · 5.7%
not available
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE15 · 12.3%
AIR BAGS8 · 6.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 · 5.7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS7 · 5.7%
Percentages are the share of the 122 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 2 campaigns
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WILL GO BLANK, CAUSING LOSS OF GAUGE FUNCTION AND ALL TEEL-TALE INDICATORS EXCEPT FOR ABS, SIR, PARK BRAKE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING 30MPH ON FLAT SURFACE VEHICLE WILL SHUTOFF. . DEALER NOTIFIED.”NHTSA complaint 8015532 — filed 08/05/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND MISSING. THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES WERE REPLACED.”NHTSA complaint 566042 — filed 06/10/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“I HAD A OIL CINSUMPTION PROBLEM THE CAR HAD BEEN USING 3 QTS OF OIL EVERY 1800 MILES. WE FOUND OUT FROM A TECH THAT…”NHTSA complaint 758992 — filed 03/06/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Cadillac Seville?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 15 of 122 NHTSA complaints (12.3%), followed by air bags (8), electrical system (7), fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Cadillac Seville have?
122 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Cadillac Seville have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V110000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Cadillac Seville's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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