1981 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 1981 Cadillac Seville problems
The Cadillac Seville, produced from 1980 to 2004, was a luxury vehicle known for its unique design and innovative features. However, it also had several common problems reported by owners.
One of the most significant issues was related to the 5.7-liter Diesel V-8 engine, which was offered as standard in the 1980 Seville, except in California. This engine was known for causing problems, contributing to a decline in Seville sales.
In 1981, Cadillac introduced the infamous V-8-6-4 engine, which was visionary but not ready for prime time due to a lack of development in the technology.
Another common problem was related to the ignition lock cylinder, which could fail due to wires in the steering column breaking, causing the anti-theft system to activate and prevent the vehicle from starting. This issue required a diagnosis and potentially a full ignition lock cylinder replacement.
The Seville's cooling system was also prone to issues, with the water pump or radiator potentially leaking coolant, leading to overheating and a blown head gasket. This problem could result in significant repair costs.
Additionally, the crankshaft position sensor could fail, causing the engine to stall intermittently. Replacing the crankshaft could cost between $218 and $304.
These common problems, along with the unique design and innovative features, make the Cadillac Seville a car that continues to draw attention and controversy among classic car enthusiasts. Despite its issues, the Seville remains a symbol of personal luxury and quiet authority, reflecting Cadillac's long-standing reputation as a luxury automaker.
What engine was in the 1981 Cadillac Seville?
Engines
| Year | Engine | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 6.0 L L61 Cadillac V8 | 145 hp (108 kW) |
| 1980–1985 | 5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8 | 105 hp (78 kW) |
| 1980 | 5.7 L L49 Oldsmobile V8 | 180 hp (130 kW) |
| 1981 | 6.0 L L62 V8-6-4 V8 | 145 hp (108 kW) |
How much did a Cadillac cost in 1981?
The list price of a 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham coupe was $15,942, or about $45,000 in 2018 dollars.
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.
How many miles per gallon does a 1980 Cadillac Seville diesel get?
The diesel is Cadillac's answer to corporate average fuel-economy requirements, saving the day to the tune of 21 mpg, according to motoring's law of the land, the EPA. The diesel displaces 5.7 liters.
What engine is in a 1981 Cadillac?
All 1981 Cadillacs equipped with the standard V8-6-4 fuel-injected engine offer the benefits of Cadillac's On-Board Computer Diagnostics system...
How many miles per gallon does a 1981 Cadillac get?
Based on data from 2 vehicles, 19 fuel-ups and 3,465 miles of driving, the 1981 Cadillac Eldorado gets a combined Avg MPG of 13.87 with a 1.81 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 1 outliers (5.00%) removed.
What happened to the 8 6 4 engines introduced by General Motors in 1981?
GM released EPROM updates hoping to increase drivability and reliability, but could not overcome the primitive state of engine control technologies at the time, and the V8-6-4 was discontinued for 1982, with many owners disconnecting the cylinder deactivation system.
What is the 8 6 4 cylinder deactivation engine?
The V-8-6-4 system was designed to shut off either two or four cylinders to increase fuel mileage; this was determined by Cadillac's on-board Computer Command Module, which used sensors to monitor engine speed, EGR, idle speed, intake manifold air pressure, coolant temp, air pump operation and exhaust, and adjusted the ...
1981 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:
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Cadillac Seville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Cadillac Seville complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Cadillac Seville.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-09
- Number Of Injuries: 3
- VIN: 1G6AS6996BE
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.
1981 Cadillac Seville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1981 Cadillac Seville.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES", IN THAT THE DOOR FRAME-TO-BODY CENTER PILLAR INTERLOCK ON THE FRONT SEAT BELTS OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISALIGNED.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ALIGN THE SEAT BELT INTERLOCK ASSEMBLIES PROPERLY AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
- Summary: THE FRONT LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY TIGHTENED. THE NUTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF AND WITH CONTINUED DRIVING THE CONTROL ARM FRONT BOLT MAY WORK ITS WAY OUT OF POSITION OR BECOME DISPLACED.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Cadillac Seville problems:
1981 Seville 368 6.0ltr idle in drive problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
May 1, 2019 ... dpnel here and new to this site and I'm having problems with my 1981 Seville idling rough in drive. to make a long story short I have just ...
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1981 Cadillac DeVille Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Sep 20, 2016 ... It was plagued by a few things early on, including stalling, rough idle, and some suspicious oil valves. Most of these problems came from a ...
Cadillac DeVille Steering Problems — Car Forums at Edmunds.com
Jan 12, 2006 ... My 2002 Deville has very stiff low speed steering. Worse when it is cold. Local mechanic says this is a common problem with this car and ...
Other years of Cadillac Seville
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