1999 Cadillac Sts problems

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The Cadillac STS (Seville Touring Sedan) is a mid-sized luxury 4-door sedan manufactured and marketed by General Motors from 2004 to 2011 for the 2005 to 2011 model years. A version of the STS was marketed in China as the SLS through 2013.

It was equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with performance algorithm shifting and driver shift control.

Origins

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.

While smaller than the full-size DTS, the more expensive STS was the flagship sedan of the Cadillac brand.

1999 Cadillac Sts

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Common 1999 Cadillac Sts problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1999 Cadillac Seville STS, several common problems have been identified:

  1. Power Steering Issues:
    Owners have reported problems with the power steering system, experiencing intermittent tightness and looseness. This could be indicative of issues with the power steering gear or related components. The power steering system is crucial for ease of steering and control, and any irregularities in its function can affect the driving experience and safety of the vehicle.
  2. Cooling System Problems:
    Complaints include a strong smell of antifreeze throughout the car, even after the water pump and radiator have been changed. This suggests potential issues with the cooling system, which is essential for regulating the engine temperature. Overheating or coolant leaks can lead to engine damage and affect the overall performance of the vehicle.
  3. Rough Idle:
    Some owners have noted that the engine idles roughly, which could indicate underlying issues with the engine's performance or components. A rough idle can affect the smooth operation of the vehicle and may be a symptom of various engine-related problems that require attention to maintain optimal functionality.
  4. Pulley Movement Discrepancy:
    Observations of slower movement in the pulleys on the driver's side compared to those on the passenger side have been reported. Discrepancies in pulley movement can point towards belt or pulley system issues, affecting the proper functioning of engine accessories and components. Addressing this discrepancy is essential to prevent potential belt slippage or failure.
  5. Head Gasket Concerns:
    The Cadillac Seville STS with the Northstar V8 engine is known for head gasket problems, which can be costly to repair. Head gasket issues can lead to coolant leaks, overheating, and engine damage if not addressed promptly. Regular maintenance and monitoring of the head gasket are crucial to prevent major engine issues.
  6. Electronic Suspension Component Expenses:
    Electronic suspension components in the Cadillac Seville STS can be expensive to repair or replace. Issues with the suspension system can impact the vehicle's ride comfort, handling, and overall driving experience. Proper maintenance and timely repairs are necessary to ensure the optimal performance of the suspension system.

These common problems reported by owners of the 1999 Cadillac Seville STS highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate repairs to address issues effectively and maintain the vehicle's performance and reliability.

1999 Cadillac Sts engine

Is the Cadillac STS reliable?

The 2006 Cadillac STS receives an average consumer rating of 4.5 overall and a 4.5 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.

What does STS mean for Cadillac?

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. While smaller than the full-size DTS, the more expensive STS was the flagship sedan of the Cadillac brand.

What year was the last Cadillac STS made?

2011

At the heart of Cadillac STS (discontinued in 2011) performance was an advanced 302-hp direct injection V6 engine and Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control, which allowed manual shifting without the use of a clutch pedal.

What is the top speed of the Cadillac STS?

Performance

0 - 100 kph8.2 s
Top speed231 kph (144 mph)

Is the Cadillac STS reliable?

The 2006 Cadillac STS receives an average consumer rating of 4.5 overall and a 4.5 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.

What does STS mean for Cadillac?

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. While smaller than the full-size DTS, the more expensive STS was the flagship sedan of the Cadillac brand.

What year was the last Cadillac STS made?

2011

At the heart of Cadillac STS (discontinued in 2011) performance was an advanced 302-hp direct injection V6 engine and Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control, which allowed manual shifting without the use of a clutch pedal.

What is the top speed of the Cadillac STS?

Performance

0 - 100 kph8.2 s
Top speed231 kph (144 mph)

1999 Cadillac Sts car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Sts problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine problems
  • Equipment problems
  • Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Cadillac Sts vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1999 Cadillac Sts complaints

The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1999 Cadillac Sts.

2014-09-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2012-03-08
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: OUR STS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE SCARIEST WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH. THE CAR TOTALLY SHUT OFF, LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY POWER. WE WERE ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND THANK GOODNESS IT STARTED AGAIN. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES WOULDN'T EVEN START UP RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS VERY FRUSTRATING AND THE UNKNOWING, MADE DRIVING THIS CAR VERY UNPREDICTABLE. EVERY TIME WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO BE CHECKED THEY COULD NOT FIND "ANYTHING". FINALLY, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SUGGESTED PUTTING IN A NEW STARTER AND THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THANK GOODNESS. THE SEVILLE STS IS NOW RUNNING, BUT THE A/C HAS GONE OUT. THE CAR IS TOO OLD TO EVEN FIX AT THIS POINT. *TR
2012-10-23

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-07-01
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1G6KY549XXU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS SMOKE WAS RELEASED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE MOTOR BOLTS, WHICH HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE METAL. THE BOLT COIL AND THREAD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/12/12*LJ UPDATED 12/13/2012 *JS
2012-08-13

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2011-05-11
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE NOT THE CORRECT SIZE FOR THE ENGINE AND AS A RESULT, THEY STRIPPED, CAUSING THE ENGINE HEAD TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
2012-05-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2009-05-04
  • VIN: 1G6KY549XXU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR KEEP CHARGE, SOMETHING IS PULLING OR DRAINING THE BATTERY, BATTERY BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS SOMETIMES YOU GET IN THE CAR AND IT START OTHER TIME IT WON'T. I COMMUTE 1 HOUR AWAY FROM HOME AND THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE TO KEEP CALLING ALLSTATE TO GIVE ME A JUMP THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. *TT
2010-02-16

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2009-08-09
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: GM'S RECALL NUMBER IS 99013. *TR
2010-02-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-01-10
  • VIN: 1G6KY5490XU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: 1999 CADILLAC SEVILLESTS. 100,600 MILES ON ODOMETER. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED (IN TOWN) , ENGINE WILL STOP ENTIRELY,.- I LOSE MY POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND EVERYTHING ELSE . WHEN I GET STOPPED, ENGINE WILL START IMMEDIATELY. I'E HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED, AND AM TOLD ALL THE CONNECTIONS WERE "FINE". A GM DEALER RECENTLY TUNED THE ENGINE , AND SUGGESTED THAT HE REPLACE THE WIRING" HE DID SO. HE DID THIS @ TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE TROUBLE STARTED. THE DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR -- SUPPOSE THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. ??? PLEASE ADVISE ME!!! RIVING, ENGINE WILL STOP ENTIRELY - I LOSE MY POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WHEN I GET STOPPED, THE ENGINE WILL START IMMEDIATELY. HAVE CHECKED BATTERY CONNECTION AND IT CHECKS "FINE". *TR
2009-11-24

STEERING,SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2009-11-23
  • Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION
  • Summary: RACK /PINION BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. *TR
2006-12-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-11-10
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: I BOUGHT A 1999 CADILLAC STS FROM A DEALER IN MORGANTOWN, WV. IT WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD. NOW, IT HAS ABOUT 124,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY, I WAS TOLD THE REASON MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALER SAID, THEY WON'T TRY TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CADILLAC NORTHSTAR ENGINE IS THAT IF THEY TRY TO REMOVE IT, IT STRIPS SOME SORT OF BOLT OR THREAD, RUINING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CADILLAC BY TELEPHONE AND BY E-MAIL SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK IF IT IS TRUE THAT THEY HAVE DESIGNED AND SOLD A CAR THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED. THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER ME DIRECTLY; INSTEAD, THEY SAID MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO LONGER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. FINALLY, SOMEONE CONCEDED THAT IT IS TRUE. I AM SHOCKED THAT A COMPANY LIKE CADILLAC CAN DESIGN AND DELIVER A CAR, KNOWING THAT CERTAIN MAJOR PROBLEMS CAN'T BE REPAIRED. *NM
2006-09-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-06-28
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS WELL AS AT IDLE, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ELECTRIC, ETC. VEHICLE IS THEN DIFFICULT TO START, MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE SUCCESS. VERY DANGEROUS- HAS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SEVERAL TIMES ON BUSY INTERSTATE. DATE GIVEN IS JUST ONE OF AT LEAST 8 FAILURES. *NM
2006-05-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-05-10
  • VIN: 1G6KS54Y0XU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTS IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. THE STALLING OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS GRADUALLY BECOME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
2006-03-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-03-25
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AT CRUISING SPEEDS, LOW SPEEDS, AND IDLING. ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE MAY OR MAY NOT START BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE BOTH ON NHTSA AND OTHER CHAT BOARDS. THIS CAUSES A HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. CAN BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON HILLY AND CURVED ROADS BECAUSE ALL POWERED STEERING AND BRAKING SHUTS DOWN AS WELL. *JB
2005-10-11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-10-11
  • VIN: 1G6KY549XXU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: ON 11/27/00 CAR LEASED FROM CHEVY DEALER AND ONSTAR PUT ON BY CADILLAC DEALER. ON 01/08/01 CAR DEAD IN DRIVE,CADILLAC DEALER INSTALLED NEW BATTERY. ON 10/01/01 CAR QUIT WHILE DRIVING, CADILLAC DEALER INSTALLED NEW GENERATOR. ON 7/18/02 CAR DEAD IN DRIVE,CHEVY DEALER REPLACED GENERATOR. ON 9/13/04 CAR DEAD IN DRIVE ,CHEVY DEALER FOUND NOTHING. ON 11/18/04 CAR DEAD IN DOCTOR'S LOT,CHEVY DEALER FOUND NOTHING AND SENT IT TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO ALSO FOUND NOTHING. TWO DAYS LATER CAR DEAD IN STORE LOT. SENT BACK TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO INSTALLED GENERATOR AND BATTERY. ON 8/31/05 CAR STALLED AFTER BEING PICKED UP FROM CHEVY DEALER, RETURNED TO CHEVY DEALER WHO FOUND NOTHING. SENT TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO REPLACED SOME COMPUTERS. CHEVY DEALER PICKED CAR UP AND DRIVE 9 MILES BEFORE CAR QUIT. RETURNED TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. RETURNED TO ME. FIVE(5) DAYS LATER CAR DEAD IN DRIVE AND RETURNED TO CADILLAC DEALER. CADILLAC DEALER DISCONNECTED ONSTAR AND SAID TRY IT. *NM
2005-05-25

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-03-01
  • VIN: 1G6KY5499XU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: 1999 CADILLAC STS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WATER SOUNDS BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE ENGINE OVERHEATING.*MR THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING BELL SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IDLE AND OVERHEATING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1999 Cadillac Sts problems:

99-04 Cadillac Seville STS thoughts? | Bob Is The Oil Guy
99-04 Cadillac Seville STS thoughts? | Bob Is The Oil Guy
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/99-04-cadillac-seville-sts-thoughts.162456/

Oct 3, 2011 ... There's a lot of aluminum in the engine, a lot of aluminum in the suspension, the unibodies generally don't have rust issues, overall, they're ...

1999 STS Northstar problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
1999 STS Northstar problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/1999-sts-northstar-problems.240920/

Sep 22, 2011 ... I am currently looking at a 1999 sts with the northstar v8 and i have some questions / concerns. It has 160xxx miles the power steering gets ...

Common 1999 Cadillac Seville STS Problems - Q&A
Common 1999 Cadillac Seville STS Problems - Q&A
https://www.justanswer.com/cadillac/2hrbo-1999-cadillac-sevillve-sts-tourning.html

Sep 3, 2009 ... What causes electrical problems with my 1999 Cadillac sevillve sts tourning? · 1. Check for communication with the Rear Integration Module (RIM) ...

1999 Seville STS Problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
1999 Seville STS Problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/1999-seville-sts-problems.190754/

Jan 26, 2010 ... The heating elements in each seat have a separate fuse but a non-functioning driver heated seat is EXTEMELY common as the elements in the ...

1999 Cadillac Seville Problems and Complaints - 77 Issues
1999 Cadillac Seville Problems and Complaints - 77 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1999-cadillac-seville/problems

Problem with your 1999 Cadillac Seville? Our list of 77 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1999 Cadillac Seville.

Other years of Cadillac Sts

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Sts 2000
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Sts 2001
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