18th Jun 2010, 08:45

Sorry to hear so many horror stories on this wonderful car. I have a '99 STS with 230,000 miles on it, and I haven't replaced much on it. I bought it in 2001 as a pre-owned certified with 29,000 on it, and I did get a 100,000 mile dealer warranty and had to use it a few times. Since it hit 100,000, I haven't really put that much money into it. BUT, it's because I had a good mechanic that didn't work for a Caddy dealership.

I agree with the person who said stop taking your older Caddy to a dealership. I kept my oil changes up and air filter changes, and would run fuel injector cleaner through about every 10,000, and it's been a great car. It does leak oil in many places, but I only have to add 1 qt about every 2,000 - 2,500, and this has been the case since I've owned it.

I've had to replace brakes, some hoses, belts, plugs/plug wires, tires, battery once, but nothing too expensive.

In the last 2 years, I've only had to change the oil and buy new brakes (think of the money I've saved without a car payment).

My air conditioner compressor just went, so this will cost me if I choose to fix it (haven't decided).

Just moved and had to find a new mechanic, and I found a small business owner who was blown away with the shape of my car/engine. I had an issue come up where sometimes when I turned my key to start the car, nothing! I would do it over and over until it started. I also felt a pulsing in the engine when in idle. He found that it was worn out plugs, one completely misfiring. He fixed the one plug, and it runs like a dream again.

My new mechanic told me that my car has many more miles on it yet, so, for under $300, I can get a complete tuneup and keep my car on the road.

I love this car, so I think I will keep it until I can't afford to fix it anymore. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I've got at least 100,000 miles of life yet without major repairs.

5th Jul 2010, 13:43

I have just bought a 99 STS with 49000 on it. I had to reseal the valve covers, they were dripping on the exhaust manifolds. I got it all together, and it had a miss that wasn't there before. I checked the wires, they were OK. I found one plug black, changed the plugs and the problem was solved. I flushed out the red coolant and put in 50/50 green and water. I paid 6500 plus into it another 125. I hope I didn't make a big mistake. It is a nice looking car, drives great. Time will tell.

5th Jul 2010, 16:52

To the guy in Australia, I had a similar problem with my 99 SLS. I cleaned the EGR valve and the problem went. Just remove the valve (it's very accessible), and clean any carbon build up around the valve seat and stem. It's worth a try and can be done in a half hour.

4th Aug 2010, 20:00

I'm from New Zealand and have been eyeing some 98-2002 "Northstar" Sevilles up for sale down here. They appear to the "rocket ship" that I've always wanted to own. They sell for a real "bargain" price (down to NZ$4,300 (US$3,100) for a 1998 last month), compared to anything remotely similar.

Reading the comments listed here has opened my eyes, as to why. I can't believe the problems and repairs that people are doing at such relatively low mileages for a large engined car. We are used to driving "coffin-on-wheels" type subcompact Japanese cars, that should not require much more than a cambelt change (apart from normal service maintenance) in the first 200,000 kms.

All cars here go through a mechanical inspection every 6 months to be certified as road-worthy and allowed to be driven on the road. The mileage history of any vehicle is recorded every time such an inspection is undertaken, and is public knowledge. From these records, I can't help but notice that most of these Sevilles have spent long periods of time (up to over 12 months) off the road, obviously to undergo expensive repairs with imported parts.

It is becoming clear to me to stay well away from these vehicles. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

13th Aug 2010, 14:03

My 99 Seville poured hot water onto the gas and brake, and burned my wife's foot. 3rd degree burns. Is the heater coil on the driver's side? Seems like bad design; water should not get on the pedals.

19th Aug 2010, 18:53

Help! Windshield wipers won't work at all.

I checked the fuses and relays. Which relay or relays connect too wipers or and stereo? Stereo is not working either. There is power, but no sound.

29th Sep 2010, 14:22

I have a 99 STS pearl white, and the car is not doing anything at all. The lights are on and the battery is good. It sounds like the starter.

7th Oct 2010, 17:22

I have a 1999 Seville with the Northstar engine, and I feel slightly better after reading through the comments posted here. My car is also burning through the oil, the transmission fluid displays 100% and never goes down; the windshield wiper fluid does not work, yet the display tells me I need to add more fluid. I add it, the light goes away, then comes back on in a week. The air bag light came on (no accident or big bumps to speak of) and won't go away. I just got an estimate of over $5k to replace the struts and shocks on on 4 wheels...let's see what else? Oh yeah, speaker on right passenger side blown out and CD player just doesn't work. It worked, then one day it didn't. And still doesn't. I was lucky enough to be given the car as a gift, so I really can't complain too much.

25th Nov 2010, 12:23

What is that water sound in or sounds like coming from dashboard in my 1999 STS?

Can anyone help? Thanks, I love this car...

17th Mar 2011, 22:58

A previous poster, a Mister Dalton, remarked that when his car was waiting at a light or stop sign, it would stall.

I have recently purchased a 99 Seville, and not more than two days later experienced the same.

I brought it back to my mechanic/salesman, and he smiled and said he should have known better.

He took out the intake plenum, and with a towel sprayed with brake cleaner, began to carefully wipe clean the intake manifold. He also put a new air filter.

I asked if it would be better to run the motor and spray a cleaner into the manifold, like in the old days with ether, but he said that would only send the bad stuff to the catalytic converter. More bad.

It seems that even a slight lowering of airflow can stall this engine. It idles low enough, so less air causes it to draw more fuel, hence the stall.

Anyone remember carburetors?

I love this car, can anyone link me to a diagram to swap out the interior air filter?