2004 Cadillac SLS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1 |
Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
2010: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10358553 · 2010-09-30 (September 30, 2010)
I HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC SLS THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2004.... THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED ON IT APPROX. A YEAR OR SO AGO BUT APPROX. A MONTH AGO, WE HAD A HEAVY RAIN AND I WAS ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE STEERING GOT REAL TIGHT AND INSTEAD OF TURNING RIGHT INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE, I HAD TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE WHERE ONCOMING CARS ARE BUT, LUCKILY, THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING IN THAT LANE. THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL WHEN IT RAINS, IT IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358553 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1999 | 2000 | 2002 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 240.0%ODI 10166478 · 80,000 miWHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD A CRACKED HEAD AND MANY OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. I REPEATEDLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A "CHECK GAS CAP" WARNING AND I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKES. ALSO I HEAR A RATTLING NOISE EVERYTIME I HIT ANY SIZE OF BUMP. *JB | 218.2%ODI 10173708ENGINE SEALS LEAKED EVERYWHERE, DEALER HAD TO REBUILD ENGINE 1 YR AGO, NOW ENGINE BLOCK WAS REPORTEDLY "WEEPING" SO THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY 60000 MILES, CADILLAC DID COVER MOST OF THE COSTS. *JB | 220.0%ODI 10234219 · 87,000 miDEFECTIVE NORTHSTAR ENGINES, HEAD BOLTS PULLING OUT OF BLOCK. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 240.0%ODI 10442304IT WAS DETERMINED BY MY LOCAL CADILLAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS FAULTY, DRAWING EXCESSIVE CURRENT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF. I MENTIONED THE RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND THEY SAID IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED SO IT IS NOT COVERED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. *TR | 19.1%ODI 10217045 · 100,000 miNO EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS PROBLEM. MASSIVE SUDDEN ELECTRONIC FAILURES OF ACCESSORIES SYSTEMS. PARKING BRAKE RELEASE, LOSS OF POWER TO SEATS, CAB LIGHTS OUT, FRONT AC PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS HOT ONLY, NO POWER TO DOOR LOCKS, NO RESPONSE TO KEYLESS ENTRY, VALET SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING, REAR AC BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK AND FUEL RELEASE MECHANISMS NO LONGER WORK. CONSEQUENCES ARE POSSIBILITY OF CAR ELECTRONIC SYSTEM BREAKING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. ALL FUSES, RELAYS AND CIRCUIT … | 220.0%ODI 10575153 · 58,806 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC SLS.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,806 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,200. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 120.0%ODI 10166478 · 80,000 miWHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD A CRACKED HEAD AND MANY OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. I REPEATEDLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A "CHECK GAS CAP" WARNING AND I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKES. ALSO I HEAR A RATTLING NOISE EVERYTIME I HIT ANY SIZE OF BUMP. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10149362 · 41,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 55 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT FEELS THE HYDROPLANING IS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH THIS HAS NEVER BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 10222260 · 70,700 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THEN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,700. | 110.0%ODI 10234414 · 87,000 miHEAD BOLTS PULLED OUT OF BLOCK ON A 2002 CADILLAC WITH A NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR HAD 74,000 MILE AND WAS FIXED UNDER THE VEHICLES EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR HAD 87,000 ON IT AND THE SAME HEAD BOLT THAT WAS FIXED FAILED. THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A PATCH JOB THAT GM KNEW WAS NOT PERMANENT AND THEY NOW DO NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR SHODDY REPAIR PROCEDURE. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 10100513 · 36,600 miSINCE I PURCHASED THE CADILLAC 2000 SEVILLE IN MAR. 2002, I HAVE HAD MANY INCIDENCES IN WHICH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER AT KENT RYLEE IN ROGERS, AR, ON 1-29-04, AND TO SUPERIOR CADILLAC IN FAYETTEVILLE, AR ON 11-3-04 WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS EACH TIME. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AS THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETECT THE PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF LIGHTS. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10574184 · 7,800 miON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THIS YEAR, MOST RECENTLY TODAY (3/22/14), THE ENGINE ON MY 2003 (?) CADILLAC SLS ABRUPTLY CUT OFF, SIMILAR TO THE MUCH-PUBLICIZED RECENT FAILURES ON GM'S 2003-11 COMPACT CARS. MY CAR IS NO COMPACT, BUT I'M WONDERING IF IT USES THE SAME IGNITION COMPONENTS. IN ANY EVENT, WE WERE LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I REFERRED THE CAR TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC, AND HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ONE FURTHER NOTE: WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF TODAY, ONLY *ONE* KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, SO IT WAS *NOT* A MATTE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 10276942 · 160,000 miGOOD MORNING;I HAD PURCHASED A 2000 CADILLAC SEVILLE(SLS)USED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (DIGITAL)STARTED FLASHING ENGINE IS HOT,VEHICLE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT DOWN. THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. I'M NOT SURE IF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE OR NOT? I RETURNED THIS VEHICLE TO USED CAR DEALER FOR REFUND. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A GARAGE AND I DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR CAP WAS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED. TO ME IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS WA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 760210AFTER MY 35,000 MILE SERVICE THE ENGINE BEGAN USING OIL. I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THIS LAST TIME I USED 4 QUATS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IN NORMAL FOR THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | Too few reports for a range | 75,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10358553 · 75,000 miI HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC SLS THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2004.... THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED ON IT APPROX. A YEAR OR SO AGO BUT APPROX. A MONTH AGO, WE HAD A HEAVY RAIN AND I WAS ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE STEERING GOT REAL TIGHT AND INSTEAD OF TURNING RIGHT INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE, I HAD TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE WHERE ONCOMING CARS ARE BUT, LUCKILY, THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING IN THAT LANE. THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL WHEN IT RAINS, IT IS… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 3 complaints · 2004: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Steering |
|---|---|
| Steering | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.