1987 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 1987 Cadillac Seville problems
The 1987 Cadillac Seville, while a luxury vehicle, had its fair share of common problems reported by owners.
- Engine Issues: The engine of the 1987 Cadillac Seville has been criticized for being one of the worst engines ever produced by GM. This engine reportedly causes significant issues, leading to the need for numerous repairs and replacements.
- Suspension and Handling: The 1987 Cadillac Seville has been noted for its poor handling and inability to take curves without feeling unstable. This can make driving the vehicle at higher speeds or on winding roads a challenging and potentially dangerous experience.
- Design Flaws: The Seville's design has been criticized for various flaws, such as a stubby trunk, awkward C-pillar, and poorly placed rear wheel. These design issues can negatively impact the vehicle's appearance and functionality, leading to dissatisfaction among owners.
- Electrical System: The electrical system in the 1987 Cadillac Seville has been reported to have issues, with various members of staff at a shop stating that it harbored one of the worst engines ever to come from a GM plant. The electrical system can be unreliable, with switches reluctant to work on a regular basis or when required.
- Interior Quality: The interior of the 1987 Cadillac Seville has been criticized for its worn-out appearance, with the worn leather interior festooned in plastic Cadillac badges. This can detract from the overall luxury experience and make the vehicle feel less premium than it should.
While the 1987 Cadillac Seville was a luxury vehicle with unique features such as cellular telephones, its common problems have led to a mixed reception among owners and enthusiasts. These issues have contributed to the vehicle's reputation as a textbook example of corporate mismanagement, with significant financial losses and damage to Cadillac's brand image. Despite these challenges, there are still those who appreciate the vehicle for its bright spots and continue to enjoy its unique blend of comfort, style, and forward-thinking design.
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.
Do they still make 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.
Who designed the Cadillac Seville?
Bill Mitchell
The Seville's "statement" styling was one of the last vehicles designed by GM's Bill Mitchell, appointed by Harley Earl in 1936 as the Chief Designer in the then newly created Cadillac design studio.
What is the problem with the Cadillac 4.1 engine?
Consumers reported all sorts of issues with the HT4100 V8. It suffered from head gasket problems, coolant leaking issues, and oil pump failures. Replacement parts were expensive, and most repair shops wouldn't work on them. It was yet another engine failure for General Motors.
What was the first year of the Cadillac Seville?
1975
What year did the Cadillac Seville come out? The Cadillac Seville was first introduced to the market in 1975. This model was a way to meet the demand for more US imports of luxury cars from Europe.
Was the Cadillac 4.1 a good engine?
It may not have been the most successful engine to sit under the hood of a Cadillac, but potential buyers were no more satisfied with the other two engines available at the time, the V8-6-4 and the Oldsmobile 5.7 L Diesel. Reliability issues soiled the reputation of the HT4100.
Are older Cadillacs reliable?
Older Cadillacs generally didn't have overly complex engines. Sure, some were ahead of their time with unique features, but for the most part, the engine itself was straightforward. So, it's fair to say that classic Cadillacs tend to be reliable.
1987 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:
- Seat belts problems
- Steering problems
- Equipment problems
- Tires problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Cadillac Seville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Cadillac Seville complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Cadillac Seville.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-08
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: P300 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 59MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POOPYING NOISE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S REAR BACK TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. TREAD WAS IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. FIRESTONE, P21570R14, FR 721, FIRESTONE WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD HEADLIGHT SENTINEL THAT CAUSES ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS, THEY COULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6KS518XHU
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE PLASTIC COATING ON WINDSHIELD IS RIPPLED AND WAVY; VISION IS OBSTRUCTED, PARTICULARLY IN SUNLIGHT, AND CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT AT ALL. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6KS5183HU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: REAR SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT. WON'T GO AROUND A 38" WAIST. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILED.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-01
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: TWILIGHT SENTINEL SYSTEM ALLOWS INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO DIM/ GO OUT/ COME BACK EVEN BRIGHTER, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-01
- VIN: 1G6KS5184H4
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FAILED. *SD
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-02
- VIN: 1G6C0518944
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON AUTO CAUSING AUTO TO LOSS ALL STEERING POWER. TT CONSUMER STATES LOSS BRAKES WHEN AUTO BUTTON TURNED ON.*JB
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON AUTO CAUSING AUTO TO LOSS ALL STEERING POWER. TT
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-05
- VIN: 106KS5181HU
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: A BOLT IN THE DRIVERS BUCKET SEAT CAME LOOSE WHICH MAKES SEAT MOVE UP AND BACK DRIVER IS HANDICAPPED AND CAN GET NO HELP FROM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT BELT LOCKED CAN'T OPEN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. TT
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-01
- VIN: 1G6KS5185HU
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: DIGITAL DASH DISPLAYS UNREADABLE FIGURES. *AW
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-11-01
- VIN: 1G6KS5188HU
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
1987 Cadillac Seville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1987 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: 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 1987 Cadillac Seville problems:
1987 Cadillac DeVille Reviews - Carsurvey.org
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May 25, 2020 ... I found a nice 1987 Coup DeVille with 101K. ... 1987 Cadillac DeVille. A Cadillac Motorcar ... The Cadillac dealer told me that this was a common ...
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