2000 Cadillac Catera

Routine

Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

34 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 69,715 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling5
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline4
000
Electrical System › Ignition4
100
Air Bags4
002
Tires3
000
Air Bags › Frontal3
100
Vehicle Speed Control2
100
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler2
010

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 2018120,000 milesVA

PASSENGER SIDE "CURTAIN" AIRBAG IN SEAT WENT OFF WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING WITH NO CAUSE OR IMPACT WHILE NOT CLOSE TO ANYTHING IN A PARKING LOT.

Air Bags2 injured
Filed Jun 17, 201653,000 milesCO

I GOT IN MY CAR, 2000 CADILLAC CATERA WHICH WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AT THE SAME TIME REACHING BACK TO GET SEAT BELT AND "BANG" AN EXPLODING SOUND. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BACK EXPLODED, IN A PARKING SPOT. CAUSING, LESIONS, AND CONTUSIONS, ON THE LEFT ARM, AND A SPRAIN WRIST. ALSO, SCRAPE AND BRUISING OF SIDE, RIB AREA. ALSO, MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND HE SUFFERED AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE DUST.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 16, 201484,000 milesAZ

OIL COOLER GAVE OUT CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? IF YES, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A CLAIM? *TT

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 201455,592 milesFL

WHILE TRAVELING AN 8 MILE TRIP TO MY MOTHERS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO TIGHTEN UP A LITTLE BIT THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR THE STEERING WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AND ITS ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I HAD THE POWER STEERING LOOKED AT AND IT IS FINE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOW ON 24/7 BUT THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE AND WAS JUST RECENTLY CHANGED. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PRODUCED BY CADILLAC IT IS NOTHING BUT A DISGRACE TO THE NAME. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 201247,200 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,300.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 201289,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 28, 2012MS

THE CAR KEEPS ON OVER HEATING, THE OIL LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON BECAUSE OF THE OVER HEATING AND ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS WANT TO START I HAVE TO JUMP IT OFF ALOT. IT IS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKED PLENTY OF TIME. BUT WHEN I JUMP IT OFF THE WIRES GET REALLY HOT AND START TO MELT SO I TAKE THEM OFF. ALSO THE DASHBOARD LIGHT DON'T WORK VERY WELL I HAVE TO BANG ON THE DASH BOARD FOR THEM TO EVEN BARLEY COME ON AT NIGHT.. THERE NEED TO BE BIG TIME RECALLS ON THIS CAR!!! *TR

Engine
Filed May 29, 201270,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR IN MOTION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 22, 201187,994 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURING WERE CONTACTED AND WERE EXPECTED THE PERFORM AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,994 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 7, 201075,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHENEVER HE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURES THAT HAS OCCURRED; HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH COST HIM $100. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 13, 2010FL

I WOULD DRIVE THE CATERA RIGHT ON THE MAIN BUSY ROAD MY CAR MADE A SUICIDAL STOP! I PANIC! IMMEDIATELY PUT THE EMERGENCY HAZARDOUS LIGHTS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE IS READING THE SENSOR ARE BAD, SO I SPENT OVER $300.00 DOLLARS REPLACING THEM, I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN HIT OR IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC A DIFFERENT PERSON THIS TIME. HE SAID; IT WAS THE MANIFOLD INTAKE, THEY ARE PLASTIC AND THEY CRACK OR BEND WHEN THE CAR ENGINE HEATS, THE MECHANIC AND I LOOKED FOR DIFFERENT JUNKYARDS TO OUR SURPRISE MOST OF THE CADILLAC OF THAT MADE THE VERY PIECE WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAS MISSING. (PLASTIC AIR TAKE AND THE HOSE) IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCK SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH PUTTING A PLASTIC INTAKE INSIDE A ENGINE THAT HOLDS A LOT OF HEAT. SPECIALLY FOR ME I LIVE IN A YEAR AROUND HOT WEATHER. I WENT TO DIFFERENT AUTO PART STORES TO FIND THE PART BECAUSE THE JUNKYARD WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION WHAT I DID FIND ALL THE AUTO PARTS STORE HAD NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR. IT HAS A BAD REPUTATION THIS BEAUTIFUL DREAM CADILLAC CATEREA IS THE BAD APPLES OF THE CADILLAC, IT IS ASHAMED YOU DON'T HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS. IT LOOKS LIKE IT CHEAPER TO STOP MAKING THEM THAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM I SEE THEY ARE STILL OUT IN THE STREET. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ONE. I CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM TH

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 22, 2009115,759 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I THEN TOOK MY 2000 CADILLAC CATERA TO THE SHOP WHO GAVE THE INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL BULLETIN FROM YOUR WEB SITE # 623422 IT IS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 16, 200973,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE ABS LOCKING. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO MALFUNCTION. THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,232 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT ACCURATE. UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 20, 2009NC

2000 CADILLAC CATERA. STEREO CUTS OFF ON ITS OWN AND DOES NOT CUT ON SOMETIMES. TRUNK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK UNLESS THE CAR IN ON AND IN GEAR. FUEL BUTTON DOES NOT WORK UNLESS CAR IN ON AND IN GEAR. MAJOR ELECTRICAL WIRE PROBLEMS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 14, 200998,000 milesOH

SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL HAZARD: BOTH OF THE FRONT DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE WHILE UNLOCKED. WE HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE BACKSEAT TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. THE CADILLAC SHOP STATES BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES MUST BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $890. THE CADILLAC SHOP STATES THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND COULD NOT BE PREVENTED BY THE CUSTOMER. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE AND NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT ON THE PHONE WITH CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-790-5700, CADILLAC DETERMINED (AFTER FOUR DAYS WITHOUT A CAR) THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION OR COST ASSISTANCE FOR US. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE SUPERVISOR AND WAS EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO NICK OWENS. HE STATED THAT HE IS THE SUPERVISOR AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION. I REQUESTED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BEGIN A RECALL OR BULLETIN TO REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR LATCHES AND FINANCIALLY ASSIST OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS (FRONT DOOR LATCHES) THAT PRESENT BOTH SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL HAZARDS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 14, 200998,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT DOORS FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHILE UNLOCKED. HE MUST CLIMB THROUGH THE BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CADILLAC DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES MUST BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $890. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST OR PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 2, 2007100,000 milesMO

RADIATOR, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION, TIRES..ALL BAD...WORST CAR MAKER IN THIS WORLD (CADILLAC) ALL PARTS HAVE HAD TO BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 28, 2007IN

I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA EVERY SINCE I BOUGH IT, FIRST THE SEAT WOULD NOT HEAT ,PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN,TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR,DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING A PART,GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK BROKEN ,BELT BROKE CAR RAN HOT HAD TO GET A NEW RADIATOR,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURES,THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN OUT, JUNK,AND G M DOES NOTHING TO HELP,WATER PUMP WENT OUT ,HEATER COIL HOSE LEAKING,VAULE COVER GASKET REPLACE , ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. *TR

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
Filed Jan 24, 200757,070 milesNJ

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 CADILLAC CATERA AT 65 MPH NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT, THEN TURNED ON THE SEAT. AFTER ARRIVING AT HER DESTINATION, AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE NOTICED THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE END OF HER COAT WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Dec 11, 2006SC

SPEEDOMETER AND GAS HAND BOTH WORK INTERMITTENTLY..I WAS TOLD BY THE BRADSHAW DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CATERA'S...IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN, I THINK THE REPAIRS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE LARGE RECALL ON THE AUTOMOBILE. *JB

20 of 67 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20033000Routine
20022000Routine
200130000Routine
2000 — this page67010Routine
199980040Routine
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.