1986 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 1986 Cadillac Seville problems
The 1986 Cadillac Seville is known for several common problems, primarily related to its design, packaging, and engine performance.
- Engine Performance: The Seville's engine performance was also a source of frustration for many owners. The HT-4100's numbers were lackluster, and the car's positioning was confused, with the Seville being smaller than the Deville but priced similarly.
- Mechanical Issues: Mechanical issues were also common in the 1986 Cadillac Seville. The car's ignition lock cylinder could experience issues with wires breaking, resulting in the anti-theft system kicking in and the vehicle failing to start.
- Power Window Regulator Failure: One specific issue that affected the 1986 Cadillac Seville was power window regulator failure, where one or both regulators found in each door could fail, causing the window to fall into the door and not roll back up.
- Electrical Issues: Electrical issues were also common in the 1986 Cadillac Seville, with many owners reporting problems with the car's wiring harness and electrical system.
In summary, the 1986 Cadillac Seville was known for several common problems related to its design, packaging, engine performance, mechanical issues, power window regulator failure, and electrical issues. These problems led to dissatisfaction among many owners and contributed to the car's eventual discontinuation in 2004.
What size engine is in a 1986 Cadillac Seville?
Cadillac Seville 3rd Generation 4.5 V8 Automatic, 4-speed 157ps, (1986 - 1991)
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 replaced the Cadillac Seville?
The STS
The STS was the successor to the Cadillac Seville, which beginning in 1987 was available as an upscale performance-oriented STS (for Seville Touring Sedan) version.
Why won't my Cadillac Seville start?
The most common reasons a Cadillac Seville won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
What size engine is in a 1986 Cadillac Seville?
4.1 L LT8
Engines
| Year | Engine | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1986–1987 | 4.1 L LT8 HT4100 V8 | 130 hp (97 kW) |
| 1988–1989 | 4.5 L HT4500 V8 | 155 hp (116 kW) |
| 1990 | 4.5 L LW2 HT4500 SFI V8 | 180 hp (134 kW) |
| 1991 | 4.9 L L26 HT4900 SFI V8 | 200 hp (149 kW) |
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.
Why won't my Cadillac Seville start?
The most common reasons a Cadillac Seville won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
What replaced the Cadillac Seville?
The STS
The STS was the successor to the Cadillac Seville, which beginning in 1987 was available as an upscale performance-oriented STS (for Seville Touring Sedan) version.
1986 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:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Steering problems
- Visibility problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Cadillac Seville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Cadillac Seville complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Cadillac Seville.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HAS GONE UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO FUMES FROM THE EMISSION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASHES, CONSUMER STATES THE EMISSION SYSTEM IS WORN AND HAS 7 HOLES, CAN NOT GET IT REPLACED, CONSUMER HAS BEEN INJURED AND HAS BEEN IN FOUR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. *YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HAS GONE UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO FUMES FROM THE EMISSION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASHES, CONSUMER STATES THE EMISSION SYSTEM IS WORN AND HAS 7 HOLES, CAN NOT GET IT REPLACED, CONSUMER HAS BEEN INJURED AND HAS BEEN IN FOUR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. *YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY EMISSION SYSTEM, THE FUMES AND SMOKE ARE BAD, CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSES UNCONCIOUSNESS AND ACCIDENTS. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE MANIFOLD WAS NOT CONNECTED AND HOLES WERE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSING FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN CONSUMER FEELING ILL. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-04-20
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GZ
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
- Summary: ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS NOT CONNECTED AND FUMES THAT WERE RELEASED PUT CONSUMER TO SLEEP AT RED LIGHTS. ONCE CONSUMER HEARD CAR HITTING CONCRETE RAILS, AND COULD NOT WAKE UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEARED CATCHING A LIVER DISEASE. *AK DUE TO INHALING FUMES, THE CUNSUMER ALSO BECAME UNCONSCIOUS WHILE DRIVING AND HIT TRUCK STOPPED AT LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *YH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
- VIN: 1G6KS6986GU
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I PRESENTED A COPY OF THE FOLLOWING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 87V047000 COMPONENT: LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS RECALL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE NO RE CALLS ON THIS CAR. SHOULD THE DEALER FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE? THANK YOU CONRAD SIMONEAU
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: G6KS6983GU8
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED, ACCELERATOR PEDAL PULSATED, FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE CRUISE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-01
- VIN: 1G6KS6987GV
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: DEFECTIVE BRAKE HOSES CAUSE BRAKES TO SQUEAL/SMOKE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6KS6986GU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN MY CAR CAR IS NOT WORKING RIGHT WHEN AT LIGHT START TO MOVE CAR STALLS. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-01
- VIN: 1G6K56981GU
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WORN STEERING GEAR. *DH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-01
- VIN: 1G6KS6980GU
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: INTERNAL LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO OIL. *AW
1986 Cadillac Seville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1986 Cadillac Seville.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
- Summary: FLOOR MAT COULD BECOME MISPOSITIONED AND INTERFERE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
- Consequence: THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE CLOSED IDLE POSITIONCAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASHWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: REPLACE FLOOR MATS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED MATS THAT ARE LONGER AND HAVE IMPROVED RETENTION.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL POTENTIOMETER (THUMBWHEEL CONTROL) MIGHT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT.
- Consequence: WITH THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL SYSTEM ON, THE INTERMITTENTCIRCUIT COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO GO OUT. SUDDENLOSS OF HEADLIGHTS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY AND MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: INSTALL A NEW PART IN ONE OF THE VEHICLES CONTROL COMPUTERS TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURING.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Cadillac Seville problems:
1986 Cadillac Seville engine problems, solutions? | Cadillac ...
Feb 25, 2011 ... You probably need to perform a tune-up. Install new spark plugs and wires. Call rippy Cadillac and get a good price and correct parts. Replace ...
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1986 Cadillac DeVille Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Feb 4, 2008 ... Faults: Engine Belt tensioner excessive tension resulting in an audible knock (relaxed tension & knock went away!). Engine overheating - ...
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Jan 21, 2014 ... I have a similar problem. My car wont start or crank. Just a click coming from the back seat. I tried putting the key in the door and tried in ...
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