1999 Cadillac Catera

Routine

Owners filed 80 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Cadillac Catera years to avoid. Which Cadillac Catera years to avoid →

Most common 1999 Cadillac Catera problems

25 of the 80 complaints (31%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine9
001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine5
010
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine5
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
201
Tires4
000
Electrical System4
000
Structure › Body › Door · body and frame3
000
Steering3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys · engine3
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 201252,000 milesNJ

CAR SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 201253,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURN OFF FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 2, 201298,000 milesNY

THE RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS IN HARMS WAY IN THE RAIN AND HAD TO TAKE THE CARE 70 MORE MILES, WHILE I COULD GET OUT OF THE BUFFALO AREA TO A SAFE LOCATION FOR THE NIGHT. THE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OFF TILL THE BATTERY WAS EXHAUSTED. WHEN RECHARGED THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON AGAIN, UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. WHEN I MANAGED TO EXCHANGE A RELAY, THE NEXT PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE PARKING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I DID RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT NHTSA HAS DIRECTED TO BE FIXED WITHOUT COST, DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE GM LINES HAVE NOT ADJUSTED AND STILL OFFER ON SEVERAL VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL VALLEY CADILLAC WHO DECLINED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO DECLINED TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGE. SHE WANTS TO CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE INSTEAD OF MAKING THE PERMANENT CORRECTION OF EXCHANGING THE CORRECT THE DEVICE, PROPERLY ONCE AND FOR ALL. I TOLD HER I WOULD CONTACT NHTSA. I ALSO ASKED HER TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CADILLAC/ GM'S LEGAL AND I AM INFORMING MY LAWYER THAT IF I SHOULD DIE, OPERATING THIS VEHICLE, THAT I MY CHILDREN SHOULD FILE A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AGAINST ALL INVOLVED. THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED A COUPLE OF MONTHS EARLIER, FRIENDLY FRED'S IN ERWIN, NY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CORRECTED ITSELF, UNTIL THIS PAST MONDAY, 4-30-12. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OF THE LAST OCCURRENCE BUT I ALSO HAD A OIL CHANGE WHICH I THINK IS THE LATE FALL OF 2011. I AM A DI

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 5, 201087,000 milesNC

MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES (SEALED BEAM) ON 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ARE BROKEN. THESE PARTS CAN NOT BE REPAIRED - BULBS WILL BURN OUT IN SEVERAL MONTHS DUE TO JARRING/BOUNCING. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THE PREVIOUS 5.5 YEARS AND IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 200860,000 milesTX

I PURCHASED A 99 CATERA ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND SENSE THEN THIS CAR IS A CARDBOARD BOX ON WHEELS. THE ALARM SYSTEM AS GONE LOOPY IN THE SENSE THAT I COULDN'T START MY VEHICLE UNLESS I CRANKED IT ONCE LEFT IT FOR 15-30 MIN AND THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN. AFTER DISABLING THE ALARM SYSTEM IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ON OCCASION. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT DUE TO THE COMPRESSOR HAVING TO MUCH COMPRESSION. THE SUNROOF OPENS AND CLOSES BY ITSELF OR NOT AT ALL. THE VACUUM HOSES HAD HOLES IN IT WHICH WAS A RECALL BUT NOT TO KEN BATCHLEOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HS GONE OUT THREE TIMES AND COSTS 300 TO REPLACE EVERYTIME. MY UPPER RADIATOR HOSE LEAKS CONTINUOUSLY BY THE CLAMP. THE LEVELING LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME. THE ARM THAT KEEPS MY DRIVERS DOOR OPEN BROKE THROUGH THE DOOR WELDINGS AND IS DANGLING IN THE DOOR. THE SEALS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER IN THE ENGINE. I PAID MORE IN REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE THEN WHAT IT ORIGINALLY COST. THE DRIVERS FRONT AND REAR WINDOW GETS STUCK AND OPENS BY THEIR SELVES. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK FULLY OR OPEN FULLY. THE HORN WILL GO OUT ALL TOGETHER IN THE RAIN. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THEY CAN NEVER READ ANY ERR CODES AND IT TAKES ME SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE CAUSING ME TO GET REPAIRS THAT AREN'T PART OF THE MAIN PROBLEM. THERE IS NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENTS IN THIS CAR SO IF U HIT A CURB YOUR SCREWED. GAS FULL STOP RANDOMLY DOES NOT WORK AND CAUSES LOSS OF MONEY AND GAS. ME AND MY FAMILY OF 5 HAVE BEEN STRANDED FOR HOURS DUE TO MANY IS

Visibility
Filed Sep 11, 200860,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. AFTER A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT WOULD NOTICE A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANELS. DEPENDING ON THE PRECIPITATION, THERE WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR. THE WATER ORIGINATED FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF MILDEW ON THE CARPET AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 1, 200834,000 milesNJ

1999 CADILLAC CATERA WITH 34,000 ORIGINAL MILES COMPLETLY FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY. YOU LOSE ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Apr 7, 2008116,000 milesMO

OUR 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ENGINE SHELLED OUT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BEARING ASSEMBLY THAT GENERAL MOTORS ELECTED TO INSTALL ON THE 3.0 V-6 ENGINE FOR THIS CAR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE DEFECTIVE BEARINGS FREEZE UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS,IT CAUSES A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE; HENCE RESULTING IN AN EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. BECAUSE GM DOES NO LONGER MAKE THE 3.0 V-6 MOTOR FOR THIS CAR, YOU ARE STUCK WITH PURCHASING ONE USED FROM WHEREVER YOU CAN FIND ONE. MY USED ENGINE COST $3,460 TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT WAS IN MY VEHICLE. THE MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS STATED TO ME AS 39,000 + MILES. MY ORIGINAL MOTOR WENT OUT AT 116,000. IF NOT FOR THE TRACKING SYSTEM IN MY CAR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE MERCY OF THE PUBLIC WHILE I WAS 230 MILES FROM HOME. THE ONLY CLUE THAT I HAD THAT SOMETHING WAS AMISS WAS FROM A FAINT OILY BURNT SMELL JUST PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALER THAT WAS FROM THE BEARING SEIZURE AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE ENGINE HAD NO KNOWN PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 17, 2007101,946 milesNC

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Dec 6, 2006118,000 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THERE WAS A SUBTLE MUSTY OILY SMELL INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY PULLEY TENSIONER IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE FINAL DETERMINATION FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Aug 2, 200686,000 milesID

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE SUNROOF OPENED, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE SEAT BELTS DISCONNECTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ANTI THEFT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE REQUIRED CODE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 15, 200686,900 milesTX

ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED BECAUSE OF QUICK DRIVERS REACTION. URGENT ATTENTION REQUESTED. ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START UNTIL AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Feb 13, 200690,995 milesKY

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HAD MY SEAT HEATER ON TO WARM THE LEATHER SEATS AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED A PLACE IN MY SEAT. ITS NOT A LARGE SPOT, BUT ITS THERE AND NOW I FEAR IF I TURN IT ON THE CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE. I'VE SPOKE TO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CADILLAC CATERA GROUPS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Nov 21, 200572,000 milesMO

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE USING THE HEATER WITHIN THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline1 injured
Filed Oct 20, 200567,000 milesAZ

CAR'S "CHECK ENGINE" AND TRANSMISSION DASH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY STAY ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AND MOVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON BUT THE CAR IS SLUGGISH. TWO OR THREE HOURS LATER THE CAR WILL START AND RUN FINE. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE (SEP 2004) BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. IT HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED, BUT NONE MORE THAN THIS EVENING WHEN MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED! WE WERE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. NO ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE SPEEDOMETER ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO ZERO AND I LOST ALL POWER. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER MISSED US BY INCHES AS I TRIED TO GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED HER HEAD AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW. GM AND CADILLAC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING THIS PRODUCT OUT. THEY HAVE ALL BUT WASHED AND TURNED THEIR BACK ON CATERA OWNERS. I AM RETIRING FROM THE U.S. AIR FORCE IN TWO WEEKS AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE. I GET CHILLS WHEN I THINK OF AMERICANS WHO DIED IN WARS AND CONTINGENCIES TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES LIKE THIS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T ONE OFFICIAL RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR FROM THE BEGINNING BUT NONE AS DANGEROUS AS THE CURRENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ STORY AFTER STORY ON YOURS AND OTHER INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS LEMON OF A CAR (1997 TO 2001). TOMORROW I WILL TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO BRING THIS CAR TO THE DEALER. EVERYTHING WILL BE BASED ON THEIR SCHEDULE AND I WILL HAVE TO FIND RIDES BACK AND F

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control ModuleCrash
Filed Sep 22, 200549,182 milesVA

DT: THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD HIM THE AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HE HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD HIT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BUMPER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2004. ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS THE REPLACEMENT PART. *AK

Unknown or OtherFire1 injured
Filed Jun 14, 2005TN

WHERE DO I EVEN START WITH THE 1999 CATERA THAT I JUST HAD TO TRADE IN THIS WEEKEND DUE TO SO MANY THINGS THAT HAD WENT WRONG WITH THAT CAR. 1ST, WHEN FILLING THE CAR UP WITH GAS, IT WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. DEALER FIXED 1ST TIME, BUT MESSED UP THE GAS GAUGE. IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER. YOU COULD NOT KEEP A SET OF TIRES ON THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MANY ALIGNMENTS THAT YOU HAD PERFORMED. THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU TRIED TO OPEN IT, BUT IT WOULD OPEN ON IT'S OWN AT RANDOM. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 60K AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE *S* LIGHT FLASHING. THE FIRST RADIO WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY STATIONS, THE RADIO WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. 4K LATER AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AT 65K, THE CD PLAYER WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT COMPLETELY LOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO GEAR. AT 90K, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT LITERALLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND BURNED A 4" DIAMETER HOLE IN FRONT BOLSTER. GM STATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT NORMALLY, THEY JUST STOP FUNCTIONING. THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE SEAT AT ALL. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK THE CAR AS THE ACBIN QUICKLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND AS SOON AS I CRACKED THE WINDOW, THE FIRE STARTED TO GET LARGER AS IT GOT MORE AIR TO FEED IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED CYLINDER MISFIRES AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $2500 TO $5000 TO REPAIR IT. I TRADED THE CAR ON

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Oct 7, 200459,550 milesNC

THE CD SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE. CONSUMER STATED IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSION CONTROL. TEST. MANUFACTURE WA SCONTACTED.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Aug 28, 200448,101 milesVA

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA WITH APPROX 49000 MILES ON VEHICLE. FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE SON WAS FILLING VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE AND AUTO FILL SHUT OFF NEVER SHUT PUMP OFF FUEL SPILLED ON GROUND UNTIL PUMP WAS MANUALLY SHUT OFF AT HOSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SON TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE PUMP - HAPPENED AT EVERY PUMP AND TODAY I FILLED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS THREE THREE FEET AWAY CLEANING BACK WINDOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND APPROX 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL SPILLED FROM OVER FLOWING UNTIL I COULD RELEASE THE FUEL HANDLE FROM PUMP. START JUNE 4TH THROUGH PRESENT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. FIRE COULD EASILY HAVE STARTED AND CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE AND OR INJURY OR DEATH IF FIRE HAD STARTED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jun 20, 2004NC

MY STOPPED WORKING I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID YOU NEED TO CALL THE DEALER AS SOON THE MECHANIC TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON THAT CAR I AM ANGRY BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW MY ENGINE IS GONE AND THEY FIXED MY CAR THREE ARE FOUR TIMES HERE AND IN TEXAS AND NEVER BREATH A WORD ON THE RECALL I FEEL THEY SHOULD OFFER ME ANOTHER CAR AT THE SAME PURCHASE PRICE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2004MS

ENGINE OIL IS POURING INTO COOLANT. REPLACED ENGINE OIL COOLER-ENDED UP NOT BEING THE PROBLEM. SUNROOF WILL OPEN AND CLOSE BY ITSELF, AND WILL NOT WORK WHEN YOU TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 2004WI

I HAVE A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. IT HAS BEEN THE MOST TROUBLE SOME CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND READS MUTIPLE CYLENDER MISFIRE. ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR MAIN SEAL AT 60,000 MILES. WHICH WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT COSTED ME $600.00 TO FIX IT. I ALSO HAVE ALOT OF BLOW BY IN OIL. ALSO THE CAMS ARE LEAKING A LITTEL BIT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WHITEKER MURCUREY LINCON IN WEST ST.PAUL MN. I DID NOT EVEN GET A OWNERS MANUEL. I CALLED THEM AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS THE THIRTY DAY WARRENTY WAS UP AND THERE WAS NOTHEING THEY COULD DO. ALL I WANT IS A NICE RUNNING CAR NOT TO GET RIPED OFF. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY JUST TO GET THE MISFIRE AWAY. IT STILL A NEW CAR BUT WITH TO MANY PROBLEMS IT WOULD BE NICE IF CADILLAC COULD GIVE ME A DEAL ON THE REPAIRS. REMEMBER I NOW HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY 7/MO. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD NOTHEING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CATERA. TO LATE FOR WHO EVER OWNS ONE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 2004FL

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT ENTERPRISE USED CAR SALES ON APRIL 30,2002. I WAS GUARANTEED A BUMBER-TO-BUMBER INSPECTION OF THE CAR AND WAS TO BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION. AFTER I LEFT THE LOT WITH THE CAR; I COULD ONLY GO APPROXIMATLY A 1/4 OF MILE BEFORE I NEEDED TO GET GAS IN THE CAR. THAT WAS THE BEGINING OF THE TROUBLE. SO FAR SINCE APRIL OF THIS YEAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE TIRES, BRAKES, AND OTHER REPAIRS THAT THANKFULLY WAS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS WE SPEAK THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAD INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE THREE HOLES IN THE CAR THAT HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT, PLUS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE FOUND. WHEN IT RAINED THE CAR LEAKED INSIDE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE FORGOTEN TO ROLL UP A WINDOW. AFTER THE SECOND TIME I KNEW BETTER AND TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ENTERPRISE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT WHEN I EXPERINCED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE I WENT TO INVESTGATE. THE REASON THAT I'M CONTACTING YOU IS THAT AFTER TALKING TO A REPERSENATIVE OF ENTERPRISE, AND INFORMING HIM OF THE SAME INFORMATION THAT I HAVE JUST INFORMED YOU OF; I WAS TREATED AS IF I'M SOME KIND OF INEPT PERSON WHO COULD NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE SIMPLISTIC WORKINGS OF A VEHICLE SUCH AS FLAT TIRES WITH METAL THREADS SHOWING THROUGH, OR ABLE TO NOTICE THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD OR THE SOUNDS OF METAL RUBBING ON METAL. I WAS ASKED REPEATLY IF I KNEW FOR SURE THAT THE BRAKES WE

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 30, 200361,000 milesTN

TRANSMISSION CODE AND CLICKING AT 61,000 MILES. *LA

Steering
Filed Aug 27, 2003OR

PROBLEMS WITH HANDLING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON 1999 CADILLAC CATERA.*MR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT RESPONSIVE AND ON ONE OCCASION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO A HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES THERE WAS A CRUNCHING SOUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COIL. *NLM *JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 7, 2003NC

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AN ERROR CODE.*AK THE DEALERSHIP WANTED THE CONSUMER TO INFORM THEM WHEN THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AGAIN. THEY WANTED HIM/HER TO LEAVE IT WHEREVER IT BROKE DOWN SO THEY COULD GET AND RESOLVE THE "ERROR CODE". ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CODE WAS DELETED. *PH *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2003AZ

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER INSPECTED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 5, 2003AZ

DEALER REPLACED CAMSHAFT AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 1, 200349,000 milesNC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORKED ON THE FAST SETTING, AND FAILED TO DISENGAGE UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF.*AK WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *TS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBELM WAS ELECTRICAL. *JB

Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2003NY

WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 5, 2003MI

THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 5 TIMES, THE DEALER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT FINDING THE CAUSE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Mar 25, 2003MI

AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, 30 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PUT THE FIRE OUT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN A HALF MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 26, 2003LA

I HAVE A 1998 AND 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. BOTH CARS HAVE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. THE 1999 HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES. GOODYEAR PAID FOR THE FRONT TWO BECAUSE THE CAMBER SPECS GIVEN TO CADILLAC WERE INCORRECT. THE BACK TWO WERE BLAMED ON THE DELAER SWITCHING TIRES FROM ANOTHER CAR. THE 1998 HAD BOTH ITS FRONT TIRES REPLACED UNDER THE SAME PROGRAM BUT THE REAR TWO SEEMED ALL RIGHT. THEY WERE UNTIL LAST NIGHT WHEN ONE OF THE REAR TIRES WENT FLAT. AND THE OTHER REAR TIRE COULD GO FLAT AT ANY TIME. ALL EIGHT TIRES HAVE EXHIBITED THE SAME EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TREAD. THE STEEL BELTS SHOW AND ALL RUBBER IS GONE ON THE EDGE. THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRE HAS TREAD COMPARABLE TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MILAGE OF THE CAR. SOMETHING IS WRONG EITHER THE CAMBER OR THE TIRE ITSELF. THE FLAT LAST NIGHT OCCURRED AT 75 MPH ON I-12. A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Steering
Filed Jan 24, 2003OH

THIS CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. FIRST LEFT, THEN RIGHT. WE HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS WITHIN SPECS BUT WE STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. TWO DEALERS HAVE NOW TOLD US THAT THIS IS HOW THEY DRIVE. I FEAR THAT IT WILL BE THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT, AND AM ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT FOR ANY DISTANCE. YOU MUST HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT AND WITH BOTH HANDS AT ALL TIMES OR IT JUST SEEMS TO LEAP FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 6, 2003WV

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING . PH

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 4, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES IT'S HARD TO TAKE THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION AND START THE CAR AT TIMES.CONSUMER STATED IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES SHE WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIXED OR GET HER MONEY BACK. PH CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT TIMES.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly2 injured
Filed Nov 8, 2002MI

THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FROM FUEL TANK FILLER DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN TANK IS FILLED AND THE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLAGE IS DANGEROUS. ALARM AND DOORS DO NOT RESPOND TO KEYLESS REMOTE; CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. DT

Tires
Filed Nov 1, 2002FL

FRONT TIRES ARE BEING REPLACED WITHIN 10,000 WITH STEEL BELTS SHOWING ONCE THIS MILEAGE IS REACHED. THE OWNER IS BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP "THAT IT IS HER DRIVING". THE TIRES ARE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES WITH ALIGNMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 10, 2002CA

CONSUMER PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTDOWN TWICE WITHOUT ANY WARNING.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 10, 2002CA

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON. OWNER THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERHSIP. OWNER PICKED UP VEHICLE, AND LATER VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE APPROACHING TOLL TO CROSS A BAY BRIDGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 8, 2002IA

AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FROM FUEL TANK FILLER DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN TANK IS FILLED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE. CONSUMER HAS HAD FUEL TANK REPLACED BY DEALER TWICE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 18, 2002FL

CONSUMER NOTICED A BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL OF LEFT REAR TIRE AND REPLACED IT, SIX MONTHS LATER RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AT 36000 MILES, AND ONE YEAR LATER LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BUBBLE (VOGUE TIRES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT P225/55R16 .*AK *NLM

Tires
Filed Jul 17, 2002FL

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 8/7/01 THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BUBBLE IN IT AT 30764 MILES. ON 1/16/02 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BULGE ON IT AT 36267 MILES. ON 6/19/02 THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BULGE IN IT AT 45169 MILES. *YH

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Apr 30, 2002OH

I HAVE REPORTED THE TIRE DEFECT TO YOUR OFFICE IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 8TH, 2002 AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU. BBB AUTO LINE AND CADILLAC HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON A RESOLUTION. I HAVE OVER 30 DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 3/22/02 LEAVING MY COLLEGE DAUGHTER AND MYSELF STRANDED IN ARKANSAS. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN REIMBURSED FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION EXPENSES. MY FIRST TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT WAS AT 7140 MILES, 02/02/00. THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ON-GOING AND DANGEROUS AT TIMES. CAN YOU HELP? I ALREADY MAILED YOUR OFFICE A DETAILED PACKAGE. WILL YOU HELP?*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2002OH

CONSUMER STATES SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON AND THE S LIGHT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKING OFF AS IF IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND APP SENSOR. *TT

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Apr 10, 2002MI

CONSUMER STATES THE SUNROOF STAYS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE.*JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 6, 2002NY

FUEL POURS ONTO THE GROUND, DOES NOT SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY/ ALARM AND DOORS DO NOT RESPOND TO KEYLESS REMOTE.

Tires
Filed Apr 5, 2002OH

ORIGINAL TIRES, RS-AP225/55R16 94 H; CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW DOT CODE OR NAME OF TIRE. ORIGINAL TIRES CHANGED AT 12000 AND AGAIN AT 35000. DEALER STATED THAT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT. *AK

Tires
Filed Mar 28, 2002OH

ORIGINAL TIRES ON A CADILLAC CATERA 1999. RS-A P225-/55R16 94 H. CONSUMER STATES AT 12000 MILES TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR AND NEEDED REPLACING. CONSUMER STATES AT 35000 ALL 4 TIRES NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. CONSUMER FEELS TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. *NLM *YD

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 7, 2002NY

CATERA'S WILL NOT MAINTAIN FRONT END ALIGNMENT. MANY OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED OUTRAGEOUS EXTREME TIRE WEAR EVEN AFTER DEALER 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS.COM OF OTHER OWNERS WITH OVER 5 ALIGNMENTS. MY SECOND SET OF TIRES WERE STRIPPED TO THE BELTS AFTER ONLY 9000 MILES. THE FIRST SET LASTED 18K BEFORE SCALLOPING.

Complaints 1-50 of 80, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20033000Routine
20022000Routine
200130000Routine
200067010Routine
1999 — this page80040Routine
1998123010Routine
1997163030Routine

Compare every Catera year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.