30th Jan 2003, 09:51

Oil consumption on northstar engine is norm. It actually oil helps to lubricate the cylinder walls to ensure longeivity and upper rpm band power. Sure it is annoying, but it is there for a good reason. I don't mind a little bit of oil consumption long as I know that car is being properly lubricated. I'm sure you know how smooth it runs on any rpm band at any given time

13th Feb 2003, 09:44

I also own a 99 STS with 48,000 miles on it. The car was trouble free up until about 3 weeks ago (Jan. 03). The dash lights started flashing on and off at random, and it didn't want to start. The dealer said they traced it to a fuel regulator, but it still acted up. Then they replaced the fuel pump and the computer. Still trouble. Now they are in the process of installing a new main fuse panel. I'm a GM car guy and this is the first time I've ever had this kind of trouble. I owned a 1994 Eldorado with the Northstar and didn't have a bit of trouble. If I ever get it back from the dealer, I might trade it in.

27th Feb 2003, 14:24

The "Honda" comment was not necessary. A Honda civic 16v would run circles around an ST. I neither drive a Honda nor Cadillac, but it seems that the sts has some maintenance problems. a litre of oil a month is not the mark of a high end car and 300bhp running 16 seconds. is not what I would consider "monstrous" or even outstanding for an above average performance car. but when its all said and done it's a nice car though.

20th Mar 2003, 19:30

North star engine-- a bulletin has been put out explaining oil consumption, This is cause by carbon build up on piston rings, which need to stay loose and moving in there groove, other wise the rings will not clean the walls of the cylinder from oil. The car needs to be taken to dealer and and spark plugs removed and cleaning fluid inserted and left for 2 hours and then sucked back out with dirt and carbon, and plugs re-installed and car driven, and then the oil changed. This was a fast explanation.

20th Mar 2003, 21:14

I bought a 1999 Seville STS with 19,000 miles on it. It has a noise and vibration in it at around 70 MPH. The tires were just aligned and balanced. The problem is still there. The tires are Goodyear Eagle LS.

12th Apr 2003, 12:35

Some people tend to add a lot to their stories, for instance the guy who wrote his Buick Riviera mid 40's, and his Seville mid 70's. He must have had a lot of Dealer installed options (ha) Since the Sticker Price of a Seville STS loaded is only 58 or 59 thousand dollars. I imagine the oil consumption is over exaggerated too.

5th Jun 2003, 22:47

I've read about and seen enough Cadillac with owners pulling hairs and begging someone to buy them because of electrical issues nobody can fix. my.02 is that Cadillac have too much electronics and rely too much on computers for their own good. Electrical and northstar problems are well proven and should not be taken as 'this person is exaggerating'. Because they are there.

12th Jun 2003, 16:51

I have a 1998 SLS that consumes a quart of oil every 543 miles. I think this is very excessive. When I first mentioned it to my dealer in 1999 he of course said that's normal. At that time it was using about 2 quarts each oil change. Now as you can see the problem is out of control. My problem is the warranty has expired. I would like hear from anyone that has or has had this problem. What steps have you taken to resolve it. My dealer does not seem to want to stand behind me.

15th Jun 2003, 00:06

I have a 1999 Deville with 44,000 Miles, and I noticed more oil consumption when not used on highway. The more local you drive, the more oil you will use.

Sunday, June 15, 2003

5th Jul 2003, 09:47

I bought a 1997 Seville STS in April 2003. 88,000 kms on the odometer. An excellent and most enjoyable car in every way, but one.. That is oil consumption. A liter per. 1000 kms. I am doing a oil consumption test for the dealer on this. To what end? The reference to a mid seventy thousand dollar price by a previous owner must have been Canadian dollars by a Canadian owner as I am.. This alone is my one problem with the Sevill STS. I will look at an 2003 next summer, but with a much more critical eye than I did when I purhased my present one. Thank you for your excellent reviews// E. Perrault Woodstock Ontario Canada.

15th Jul 2003, 15:08

I've got a 97 deville with the northstar... it burns a quart of oil every thousand miles... the dealer told me that it was the carbon build up problem and for 350.00 they could flush the carbon out of it...I'm going to try it and let you know...

26th Aug 2003, 11:30

I have the same vibration problem with my 99 SLS. I also have gone thru the same route to fix it and still it vibrates at 70mph. As I write this the car is again at a Goodyear dealer who is trying 2 new tires on the rear, balance them on the car and move them to the front and road test. If this fails to correct we will start looking at the hubs... Anyone else with this problem?

12th Sep 2003, 21:06

I am the owner of a 1999 Cadillac STS. The car had 10,000 miles on it when I purchased it and currently has 36,000. I have had severe vibration problems at approximately 70 mph ever since I have had this car. The car was under warranty when I purchased it and attempts to "fix" the vibration began. I was informed by the dealer that the Good Year tires on the car were "out of specs" and went through months of having tires "trued" and replaced. I had no less than 4 new tires placed on the car. I was then told that Cadillac had released a bulletin that recommended Michelin tires to fix the excessive vibration. They offered to split the cost with me, but I felt that the entire cost should be the burden of Cadillac. They were the ones that chose to put the "defective" Good Years on the car to begin with.

I had to take my case to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before Cadillac offered to pay for the Michelin tires that they recommended. I purchased the model of tires that they recommend, but the new Michelin tires did nothing to fix the vibration. I have since taken my case back to the BBB twice and have been awarded repairs each time. I have gone through another new set of Michelin tires. My car is currently in the repair shop again for a problem that apparently has no "fix".

I also have the loud popping through the speakers from the electrical system that I have seen mentioned in other peoples comments. I was told that this was "normal".

Unless Cadillac steps up to the plate to resolve this vibration issue for this design of vehicle, this will definitely be the last Cadillac I ever own. The price of this vehicle is not reflected in quality or service offered by Cadillac.

Has anyone heard of a Class Action Lawsuit or recall for this problem? If you have had similar problems, please post a response.

A Disappointed Owner,

Karen Lowe.