1978 Cadillac Seville problems
The Cadillac Seville is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from the 1976 to 2004 model years as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004 for the 2005 model year.
Origin of the name
The name of "Cadillac's first small car" was selected over a revival of LaSalle or the GM design staff's preference, LaScala, primarily because, as noted by GM Marketing Director Gordon Horsburgh, "It had no negatives." The initial suggestion was "Leland" in honor of one of the make's founders but it was rejected because most buyers wouldn't understand the reference and Henry Leland had also founded rival Lincoln.
Hundreds of suggestions were considered: after extensive research, LaSalle was the top pick with St. Moritz a distant second, trailed further by Seville. A troubled past (LaSalle) and difficult pronunciation (St. Moritz) led to the eventual selection of the Seville nameplate.
Seville is the name of a Spanish province and its capital, renowned for its history and treasures of art and architecture. Cadillac had first used the nameplate for a two-door hardtop version of the 1956 Eldorado. 1960 was the last model year for the Eldorado Seville, returning in 1967 under a different name.
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Common 1978 Cadillac Seville problems
The 1978 Cadillac Seville, a smaller-sized luxury vehicle, is known for its unique design and premium features. However, it has also been associated with certain common problems that have been reported by owners over the years.
One of the most significant issues with the 1978 Cadillac Seville is related to its fuel injection system. The car's fuel injection control module is known to fail, and if it does, there is no way to fix the car, according to some mechanics. This is because the parts for the fuel injection system are not readily available, and even if they were, the control module is the heart of the system, and without it, the car cannot function. This issue can make the car unreliable and potentially leave owners stranded.
Another common problem with the 1978 Cadillac Seville is related to its electrical system. Electrical problems are common in these cars, and they can range from minor issues like malfunctioning lights to more significant problems like failing window regulators. These issues can be frustrating for owners and can also affect the car's overall reliability.
The Seville's air conditioning and heating system can also be problematic. The air conditioning system may malfunction due to failing door actuators, which can be costly to repair. Additionally, the heater may not function correctly, which can be a significant issue in colder climates.
The car's ignition system can also cause problems. The wires in the steering column that connect to the ignition lock cylinder can break, causing the anti-theft system to kick in and the vehicle to fail to start. This issue can be challenging to diagnose and can leave owners stranded.
Finally, the Seville's cooling system is also known to cause problems. The water pump or radiator may start to leak coolant, leading to overheating the engine and eventually a blown head gasket. This issue can be costly to repair and can also affect the car's overall reliability.
In summary, the 1978 Cadillac Seville is known for its unique design and premium features, but it also has several common problems that owners should be aware of. These issues include problems with the fuel injection system, electrical system, air conditioning and heating system, ignition system, and cooling system. These problems can affect the car's reliability and can be costly to repair.
What engine was in the 1978 Cadillac Seville?
The engine was an Oldsmobile-sourced 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, fitted with Bendix/Bosch electronically controlled fuel injection. This system gave the Seville smooth drivability and performance that was usually lacking in other domestic cars of this early emissions control era.
What happened to the Cadillac Seville?
The Cadillac Seville is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from the 1976 to 2004 model years as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004 for the 2005 model year.
How many miles per gallon does a 1977 Cadillac Seville get?
Based on the EPA highway estimate of 19 mpg and Seville's 21-gallon fuel tank, Seville has an estimated cruising range of 399 miles.
What year did Cadillac stop making the Seville?
2004
The Cadillac Seville (discontinued in 2004) was a full-size performance sedan that combined responsive Northstar V8 engine power with advanced driving technology.
What engine was in the 1978 Cadillac Seville?
The engine was an Oldsmobile-sourced 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, fitted with Bendix/Bosch electronically controlled fuel injection. This system gave the Seville smooth drivability and performance that was usually lacking in other domestic cars of this early emissions control era.
What happened to the Cadillac Seville?
The Cadillac Seville is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from the 1976 to 2004 model years as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004 for the 2005 model year.
How much did a Cadillac cost in 1978?
In 1978, Cadillac built 117,750 Coupe de Villes, more than one-third of the 349,684 Cadillacs built for the model year. Not bad for a car that had a base price of $10,399 (about $47,237 today).
When did Cadillac stop making the Seville?
2004
The Cadillac Seville (discontinued in 2004) was a full-size performance sedan that combined responsive Northstar V8 engine power with advanced driving technology.
1978 Cadillac Seville car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Seville problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Interior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1978 Cadillac Seville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1978 Cadillac Seville complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1978 Cadillac Seville.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-06-01
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 CADILLAC SEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND OCCASIONAL NOTICES GASOLINE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. SHE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 79V197000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL) WAS REFERENCED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. IN 2006, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,785 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,488.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-01
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: PLUGS TO DIMMER SWITCH ON FLOOR ARE CORRODED AND MELTING.
INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-01
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DUE TO DELAYED ENTRY SYSTEM.
1978 Cadillac Seville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1978 Cadillac Seville.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
- Summary: DUE TO FUEL HOSE CONNECTION DETERIORATION, THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTION FROM THE UNDERBODY FUEL PIPE TO THE FUEL RAIL AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE MAY LEAK GASOLINE.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING HOSE WITH A HYPALON HOSE AND NEW CLAMPS. DEALER WILL ALSO CHECK THE PRESSURE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AT NO COST TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE EXISTING CONSOLE WITH ONE THAT CONTAINS A LID LATCHING MECHANISM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1978 Cadillac Seville problems:
Opinion wanted on purchase of 1978 or 1979 Coupe DeVille ...
Sep 4, 2012 ... Opinion wanted on purchase of 1978 ... the most common problems, not finished yet. ... One problem with the Cadillac settings are the engine speed ...
1978 Cadillac DeVille - Issues when starting - Maintenance/Repairs ...
Dec 30, 2021 ... I take it that is a carbureted vehicle possibly an issue with a choke or choke pull offs, if it is a general motors four barell quadrajet, ...
1976 Seville ECU problem, Hard Cold Start | Cadillac Owners Forum
Nov 9, 2020 ... For Cadillac Seville 1978 Cardone Engine Control Module ECM ECU | eBay ... That's neat you have parts for repairing common problems found on the ...
Curbside Classic: 1978 Cadillac Seville - Nope, Nothing Wrong Here
Jun 1, 2018 ... ... common in the midwest, though in my experience, most buyers were older, traditional Cadillac buyers. I also do not see the problem with ...
1978 RWD Seville | Cadillac Owners Forum
Jul 10, 2009 ... Hello! I'm about to buy a 1978 Cadillac Seville, but I have a few concerns about it. That fuel injection system... I can't really find any ...
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