Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Key Competitors:
BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS, Audi A8, Lincoln Town Car
Luxury Appointments:
High-quality interior materials, advanced comfort features, sophisticated styling, powerful V8 engines.
Technological Advancement:
Pioneering use of magnetorheological dampers (MR suspension) and Northstar V8 engines.
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical (including disassembly, assembly, diagnosis), fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system, engine control systems (ECM/PCM), transmission (automatic) systems (disassembly, assembly, diagnosis, fluid changes, internal components), drivetrain (axles, driveshafts, differentials).
Chassis:
Suspension systems (front and rear, adaptive damping systems), steering systems (power steering, steering rack), brake systems (ABS, EBD, traction control, hydraulic components, parking brake), wheel and tire specifications.
Electrical:
Complete electrical system (wiring diagrams, component locations), starting and charging systems, lighting systems (headlamps, taillamps, interior), instrument cluster, power accessories (windows, locks, mirrors, seats), climate control system (HVAC), audio system, anti-theft systems, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and their meanings.
Body And Frame:
Body panel removal and installation, interior trim, glass replacement, door mechanisms, hood and trunk operation, structural components, collision repair information, underbody coatings.
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements (oil, air, fuel, cabin), spark plug replacement, fluid level checks and top-offs (coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid), tire rotation, brake inspection.
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides for common and uncommon issues, symptom-based diagnostics, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) interpretation and resolution, electrical system diagnostics, component testing procedures.
Repair:
Engine rebuild procedures, transmission overhaul, suspension component replacement (struts, shocks, control arms, bushings), brake component replacement (pads, rotors, calipers), steering system repair, exhaust system repair, electrical component replacement (sensors, actuators, modules), interior and exterior trim repair.
Installation:
Component installation and replacement, accessory installation, body panel alignment, factory upgrade installation where applicable.
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from basic maintenance to full engine and transmission overhauls, including electrical schematics and detailed diagnostic procedures.
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
Good
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
Good
IIHS Front Offset:
Good (for models tested)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Available StabiliTrak (integrated with traction control)
Airbags:
Standard front airbags, optional side-impact airbags.
Seatbelts:
Three-point active seatbelts with pretensioners.
Audio System:
Bose premium sound system with CD player, optional cassette player, radio data system (RDS).
Navigation:
Optional factory navigation system with integrated display.
Parking Assist:
Optional rear parking assist sensors.
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Optional Adaptive Cruise Control.
Onstar:
Optional OnStar communication system.
Climate Control:
Dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter.
Seats:
Heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front seats with memory function, heated rear seats (optional).
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (using synthetic oil).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 50,000 - 60,000 miles (refer to manual for specific fluid type and procedure).
Coolant Change:
First at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (Dex-Cool coolant).
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (API Certified)
Transmission Fluid Type:
Dexron III (H) ATF or equivalent
Coolant Type:
GM P/N 12378398 (Dex-Cool) Orange Long-Life Coolant
Engine Issues:
Head gasket leaks (though improved over earlier Northstars), intake manifold gasket leaks, oil pressure sensor issues, cooling system leaks (water pump, thermostat housing).
Suspension Issues:
Early failure of magnetic ride control struts/shocks, worn control arm bushings, CV joint wear.
Electrical Issues:
Instrument cluster failures (pixelation), door lock actuator problems, power seat module failures, antenna issues.
Transmission Issues:
Erratic shifting, torque converter clutch (TCC) shudder, transmission fluid leaks.
Cadillac Legacy:
Cadillac has a long-standing reputation for luxury, comfort, and advanced technology in American automotive history.
Sts Origin:
The STS (Seville Touring Sedan) replaced the Cadillac Seville. The second generation marked a significant departure with a focus on performance and handling, alongside luxury.
Platform Sharing:
Based on a heavily modified version of GM's G-platform, shared with the Cadillac DeVille and Eldorado, but with specific tuning for the STS.
Manufacturing Location:
Hamtramck, Michigan, USA (GM Poletown plant)
Production Timeline:
1998-2004 for this generation.
Car And Driver 10 Best:
The STS, particularly with the Northstar V8, was often recognized for its performance and luxury, though specific '10 Best' awards for this generation are less common than for earlier or later models. However, it competed in a segment with many award winners.
Consumer Reports Reliability:
Varied by model year; early models sometimes faced reliability concerns, particularly related to the Northstar engine and suspension components. Later years saw improvements. Specific year ratings would need to be consulted.
