7th Apr 2008, 20:59

We have a 1999 SLS, have owned a 2000 SLS and just bought a 2002 SLS. We love these cars, they are easy to fix if you know how to use the On Board DS and have the service books. Yes, they consume oil, have trunk leaks and vibration, the latter can be tricky to fix. We put Goodyear Assurance's on and had no problems for the longest time, but when the rack was replaced the tire shop they used couldn't get the alignment right, I need to take it back to Goodyear to have the balance done right, we moved so I need to find a new one. As far as the Stability System light, this is usually not a trans or other issue, it will start intermittently but will lead to unwanted stability system activation, you'll know it when it happens, this will kill your rotors by overheating them. The problem is usually caused by a faulty SWAPS sensor. You can either have it replaced, could be costly labor wise, or you can disable the system. The system is comprised of three components (SWAP, Accelerometer, yaw rate sensor). The Accelerometer is located next to the battery under the rear seat, unplug, and the Service Stability system will always appear on start-up indicating that it is deactivated. Your ABS and Traction control are still functional only the stability system that applies the brakes during aggressive driving is disabled.

8th May 2008, 16:08

I have a '98 STS, purchased in July of '04. I must say that I have had many of the problems mention, which upon reading it is obvious that these are "normal" occurrences that happen with this car. I bought the car from Manheim Auto Auction in PA. It had 66k miles on it when I got it. I went through the credit union to get it, and knew that it would be a good idea to extend the warranty, which I did. I now have 132K miles on it, and it still rides like a dream.

I was very lucky, because at one point I had a MAJOR oil leak and a blown head gasket, among other things, but most of the work was covered under the extended warranty I purchased. Of the $5500 repair the Caddy dealer had done, there was only $750 worth of repairs that weren't under warranty.

One of the problems that I've had, is when it rains really hard, water leaks into the trunk, onto the passenger's seat and by the driver's feet. This is very, very annoying, as I have to constantly vacuum the trunk, especially where the spare tire is located. It will be a pool of water back there when it rains a lot. I also have to vacuum the passenger side foot area EVERY TIME it rains, otherwise there will be a mildew smell in the car. This is something I should've had done under warranty.

I recently got a tune up, cross drilled & slotted rotors and fresh pads. I also have 20" aftermarket TIS wheels with low profile tires. It honestly still rides ultra-smooth as long as I'm on smooth roads.

As everyone else has already stated, this thing guzzles oil like crazy. I always put premium fuel in it because I thought I was only supposed to put in premium.

In essence, I've had my fair share of problems with this car, but I must admit I still love almost as much as I did when I first got it. And for a car that is a decade old, it rides exceptionally well, and I get an awful lot of attention in it.

There are a few other minor issues I've had, but I'm tired of typing now. :)

-valdez

www.myspace.com/valdezent

3rd Jul 2008, 17:43

I don't know why some people are saying their Cadillacs have the vibration problem when they drive over 60. But mine doesn't. My car can easily go up to 100 mph without any vibration. Probably I don't have any problem with my car because I'm using 20 inches Asanti rims, Brembo brakes and Michelin performance tires.

My car runs 16 city and 22 highway. And I drive 45 miles everyday to college, and the gas price is over 4 dollars. So the only problem that I have with my car is the gas price, but I like fast cars though.

25th Sep 2009, 18:45

I read all comments, now I am not sure I should buy one.

I am actually trading my 2004 Chevy Silverado LS1500 ext cab for this 2002 STS plus 2k cash.

Is this a good deal? Any comments will be appreciated.

Got two days to decide. Email me at afkaik1@msn.com

Thanks.

27th Oct 2009, 20:03

2002 SLS paid 4 G for it with 110k, now at 125k.

Smooth ride. Until I hit 49mph. From 49 to 62, rides rough, some days rougher than others, due to the tires I think. Cold air makes her smoother, tires have less give. Could be I'm riding 22" rims, on very low pro cheap tires.

Had a few problems, but not unexpected with an older vehicle. EGR valve was biggest problem, common to Northstars or so I'm told by my ASE friend.

I was worried about red lining her due to the age and mileage, but good to know she can run for a good bit. Glad my shimmy is at a lower speeds, must be hell on the highway!

8th Dec 2009, 00:18

It's sad to say, but the $52,000 STS is now worth about $3,200. Maybe less. I am really wondering what's going on with Cadillac, there must be something wrong. A car that loses 94% of it's value in 5 years is just ridiculous. I just bought one for $2,400, and all it did was leak oil. Ran great and all, but I am concerned.

8th Dec 2009, 17:52

HA HA! I'm sorry sir, but I had to laugh at that. For anybody to say the domestics hold their value now would just be ridiculous. My son's car is a '95 Neon. It's currently worth about $1800 and that's in pretty rough condition. That's pretty sad that a newer vehicle that cost nearly 4 times as much as a Neon when new is now worth only about twice its used value.

8th May 2010, 17:32

I have a 2000 Cadillac STS. I have owned that car for about 3 years, and so far it has been a great car until recently. I was in southern Illinois and was getting ready to head back to Michigan, and my STS started shifting hard; that night it was also raining out. I have taken the car to a dealership and they have not found anything wrong, my father is trying to figure this out. Is there anyone out there that is having the same problem? Let me know please at dakota3280@hotmail.com

9th Apr 2017, 22:31

You can see in the original review all the lies main dealers throw to customers: you are the only one with this issue, it's the first time we've heard of such issue, that's how the car was supposed to be, it is normal for the car to do that.

This will never stop. These car dealers will tell the same lies, over and over again.

As for the vibration thing, it was surely an engineering design fault that the main dealer could not correct. Perhaps the wheel material was too soft and the wheel would deform when the lugs were tighten to the specified torque. This would create an imbalance for both front and rear wheels upon mounting them on the car. No wheel balance could solve this.