1979 Cadillac Seville problems

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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.

1979 Cadillac Seville

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Common 1979 Cadillac Seville problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1979 Cadillac Seville, several common problems have been reported:

  • Fuel System: Complaints include deteriorating fuel lines, which is a common issue in older vehicles. This problem can lead to fuel leaks and impact the overall performance of the car.
  • Fast Idle Valve: Some owners reported issues with the fast idle valve sticking, causing irregular idling or stalling. This problem can often be resolved by cleaning the valve.
  • Distributor Pickup Coil: A frequent failure reported by owners was related to the pickup coil in the distributor. Wires in the coil could break due to the movement of the vacuum advance unit, leading to engine performance issues.
  • General Reliability Concerns: While some owners had positive experiences with the 1979 Cadillac Seville, others mentioned reliability issues. These could include problems with engine performance, stalling, and backfiring under load, as well as general maintenance challenges.

These reported problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and potential areas of concern for owners of the 1979 Cadillac Seville. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and addressing any known issues promptly can help ensure the longevity and performance of this classic car.

1979 Cadillac Seville engine

What engine was in the 1979 Cadillac Seville?

Engines

YearEnginePower
1976–19795.7 L Oldsmobile V8180 hp (134 kW)
1978–19795.7 L LF9 Diesel V8105 hp (78 kW)

How many miles per gallon does a 1979 Cadillac Seville get?

The Seville gets 16 to 19 mpg, but that's about twice as thrifty as the big Caddys of the era. The Seville was produced in large numbers, and many were babied, meaning you can still find a good one today at a reasonable price.

What was the MSRP for a 1979 Seville?

Seville was the most expensive vehicle offered by General Motors in 1979 with the MSRP of this one being $18,905. It is equipped with the 5.7L fuel injected V8 engine and automatic transmission.

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 engine was in the 1979 Cadillac Seville?

Engines

YearEnginePower
1976–19795.7 L Oldsmobile V8180 hp (134 kW)
1978–19795.7 L LF9 Diesel V8105 hp (78 kW)

How many miles per gallon does a 1979 Cadillac Seville get?

The Seville gets 16 to 19 mpg, but that's about twice as thrifty as the big Caddys of the era. The Seville was produced in large numbers, and many were babied, meaning you can still find a good one today at a reasonable price.

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.

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.

1979 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:

  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Cadillac Seville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1979 Cadillac Seville complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Cadillac Seville.

2001-10-29

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 6S69B994878
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: I HAVE HAD EIGHT (8) OF THIS SAME BRAND OF TIRE ON TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES. THE TREAD HAS SEPARATED ON ALL EIGHT OF THESE TIRES.*AK
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1979 Cadillac Seville problems:

Opinion wanted on purchase of 1978 or 1979 Coupe DeVille ...
Opinion wanted on purchase of 1978 or 1979 Coupe DeVille ...
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/opinion-wanted-on-purchase-of-1978-or-1979-coupe-deville.269113/

Sep 4, 2012 ... Opinion wanted on purchase of 1978 or 1979 ... the most common problems, not finished yet. ... One problem with the Cadillac settings are the engine ...

Q&A: 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille - Car Running Fine
Q&A: 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille - Car Running Fine
https://www.justanswer.com/car/mrldz-1979-cadillac-coupe-deville-car-running-fine.html

Aug 17, 2023 ... Some common causes of slow acceleration in Cadillac DeVille ... transmission problem, worn piston rings, and blown head gasket. ... I have a 1979 ...

1979 deville 425 | Cadillac Owners Forum
1979 deville 425 | Cadillac Owners Forum
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/1979-deville-425.11422/

Apr 14, 2004 ... I have little to no experince with cadillacs specificly and was wondering if there is anything that might be a common problem with these engines ...

Fuel Injection-Problems? 1978-1979.
Fuel Injection-Problems? 1978-1979.
https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/index.php?topic=130013.0

Apr 3, 2014 ... The EFI option on the 75-79/80ish Cadillac's was never that common except on the 76-80 Seville where it was standard equipment. So you take ...

1979 Seville 5.7 with engine troubles | Cadillac Owners Forum
1979 Seville 5.7 with engine troubles | Cadillac Owners Forum
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/1979-seville-5-7-with-engine-troubles.1108665/

May 1, 2021 ... It now runs under idle but when under load it cuts out and backfires. The question is - what have I missed? Has anyone else had similar problems ...

Other years of Cadillac Seville

cadillac seville 1981 photo
Seville 1981
Cadillac

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cadillac seville 1983 photo
Seville 1983
Cadillac

2

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  • 5
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  • 2
  • 1
cadillac seville 1984 photo
Seville 1984
Cadillac

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1

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  • 5
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  • 1
cadillac seville 1985 photo
Seville 1985
Cadillac

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cadillac seville 1986 photo
Seville 1986
Cadillac

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  • 2
  • 1
cadillac seville 1987 photo
Seville 1987
Cadillac

13

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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1979 Cadillac Seville photo