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2001 Cadillac Seville

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Seville.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Cadillac Seville is a mid‑size luxury sedan that sits on the same platform as its predecessor, powered by a standard 4‑speed automatic transmission and requiring an 8‑quart fill of 5W‑30 API oil; it earns EPA ratings of 15 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. In the 2001 model year the vehicle accumulated 53 owner complaints—primarily centered on steering—yet it recorded no recalls, placing it above the model’s lowest complaint year (2004) yet far below the peak of 131 complaints seen in 1996. This context suggests a respectable reliability profile for the Seville, offering a comparatively smooth experience within the broader 1990‑2004 Seville lineage.

Model year2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/25/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 79 · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 79 · 800 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPSOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179
Engine air filter	19166106
Fuel filter	25330711 alt 25121293
Spark plug	12571535
Front wiper blades	25670415 alt 15214346
Serpentine belt	12588412 alt 12569505
Thermostat	12559807 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter	52455790 alt 52482840

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.2 in
Overall width	74.8 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Curb weight	3973 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 25 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	104 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Seville of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1996 STS Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	300 hp	FWD
1998	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.80 sec	15.30 sec	300 hp	FWD
1998	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.80 sec	15.10 sec	300 hp	FWD
1996	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.40 sec	14.70 sec	300 hp	FWD
1995	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.40 sec	14.70 sec	300 hp	FWD
1995	STS Sedan 4.6L V8	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	300 hp	FWD
1995	SLS Sedan 4.6L V8	7.30 sec	15.40 sec	275 hp	FWD
1992	STS Sedan 4.9L V8	8.60 sec	16.80 sec	200 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	8.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-929
Spark Plug Gap	0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00-2.45 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.00-8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	79
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	800 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	41-47
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	140

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 137 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	94 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.224 in / 0.404 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 120

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	M11 bolts	30 ft. lbs
2	M11 bolts	70 degrees
3	M11 bolts	60 degrees
4	M11 bolts	45 degrees
5	8.9

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Underbody (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Throttle Body (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Cadillac Seville occupies a midpoint in the model’s federal reliability arc, posting 53 complaints—a modest uptick from 2000’s 40 but well below the generation’s 1996 peak of 131. Notably, 2001 stands out as a zero-recall year bookended by 2000 and 2002, which each carried two recalls, while technical service bulletons surged to 308, foreshadowing the steep climb to 450-plus in subsequent years. With investigation activity dormant since 1999 and zero fire complaints, the data suggests stable safety metrics, though the rising TSB volume indicates escalating service complexity. Steering, suspension, and engine cooling dominate the complaint profile with seven, seven, and six entries respectively, yet the absence of recalls and minimal crash-related complaints (five) position 2001 as a relatively quiet year in the dataset. Given its lower complaint volume compared to 2002 and the absence of recalls, the 2001 model represents a comparatively favorable vintage within this generation for a disciplined buyer prepared for age-related maintenance.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

308

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 53 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering7

Suspension7

Engine & Engine Cooling6

Structure6

Tires4

Air Bags3

Electrical System3

Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V432000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 19/12/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LABEL. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 308 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIC5453D	2022-09-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that…
PIP5358A	2021-05-12	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Seville. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 79 battery Vehicles taking 8 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 19166106 Fuel filter 25330711 Spark plug 12571535

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Seville take?

8 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Seville have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Seville get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 25 highway / 18 combined mpg.