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2004 Cadillac Seville

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Seville.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Cadillac Seville is a four‑door passenger car built on Cadillac’s full‑size platform, powered by an automatic four‑speed transmission and requiring 8 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil for optimal operation. With EPA ratings of 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, it delivers modest fuel efficiency for its class while maintaining the brand’s spacious interior. In the broader reliability context, the 2004 model year sits at the low end of complaint activity, with only 17 owner complaints—its best record since 1990—indicating a significant improvement over earlier years such as 1996, which saw 131 complaints, and suggesting a more dependable driving experience for researchers examining long‑term durability.

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 economy16/24/19 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. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179
Engine air filter	19166106
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	12571535
Battery	88864066
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	3993 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	65/35

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	104 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

6.4–7.3 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

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

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
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
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	2.20 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.70 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
Engine Oil Pressure	35 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm

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	0.001 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

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Note: Ensure replacement M11 cylinder head bolts are of the same thread, pitch as original cylinder bolts to prevent engine damage., Bolts with a 1.5 mm thread pitch have a thread length of 1.89 inches (48 mm)., Bolts with a 2.0 mm thread pitch have a thread length of 2.638 inches (67 mm). Step 1: M11 bolts: 22 ft. lbs.

2	M11 bolts	60 degrees
3	M11 bolts	60 degrees
4	M11 bolts	60 degrees
5	8.9

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 25,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Throttle Body (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · 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 2004 model year represents the culmination of a significant downward trend in owner complaints, registering just 17 complaints—a sharp decline from 27 the prior year and the lowest figure in the entire 1990-2004 dataset—while recording zero recalls and investigations for the first time since 2001. Compared to the generation's peak of 131 complaints in 1996, 2004 demonstrates marked improvement, though technical service bulletins remain elevated at 461, suggesting ongoing service issues despite fewer safety reports. The data positions 2004 at the tail end of the model run where complaint volume has consistently decreased since 2002's 68 reports, yet steering and electrical system concerns still generate the highest individual complaint counts at four and two respectively. While the federal data does not specify root causes for these remaining issues, the absence of fire complaints and minimal crash complaints (one) aligns with the broader pattern of reduced severity. Given the historically low complaint volume and zero recalls, 2004 appears to be the most favorable year of this generation to purchase, provided buyers verify that the high volume of technical service bulletins has been addressed through proper maintenance.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

461

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 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 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering4

Electrical System2

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Exterior Lighting2

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Steering,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1

Suspension1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Fuel System, Gasoline,Equipment1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 461 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
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…

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 25121293 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 2004 Seville take?

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

Does the 2004 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 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.