U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Cadillac CATERA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

123 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

60,765 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 39 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 123 complaints (16.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	17	13.8%
Steering behavior	13	10.6%
Electrical and battery issues	9	7.3%
Engine operation	8	6.5%
Transmission and shifting	6	4.9%
Fuel system concerns	2	1.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Tires

Engine And Engine Cooling

Suspension:Front

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	20
Tires	17
Engine And Engine Cooling	16
Suspension:Front	13
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	10
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	7
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	7
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	7

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 20; Tires: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling: 16; Suspension:Front: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 84 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2012

1998: 4; 1999: 22; 2000: 16; 2001: 18; 2002: 12; 2003: 14; 2004: 12; 2005: 7; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10029029 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)

THE BRAKE MAINTAINENCE WARNING IS DEFECTIVE AND INSUFFICENT. ACCORDING THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS THE CONSUMER WILL NEED TO HAVE BRAKES SERVICED SOON. THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN THE BRAKE PADS NEED CHANGING, WHICH IS A WARNING. THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE A SENSOR WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO SQUEAL WHEN PADS NEED REPLACING. THEREFORE, NOT GIVING THE CONSUMER THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINOR REPAIRS BEFORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE MAINTAINENCE LIGHT DOES APPEAR WHEN YOUR PADS HAVE COMPLETELY W…

Owner-reported narrative. 58,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029029 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10036738 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)

NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH 1998 CATERA. HAD TIMING BELT TENSIONER-PULLEYS/CAM DRIVE REPLACED LAST YEAR(3-2002) WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" WAS ISSUED BY CADILLAC IN SEPT 2002 FOR CATERA'S TO HAVE CAME DRIVE IDLER/TENSIONER PULLEY/WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH NEW VERSION. GOT VEHICLE SERVICED TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT CAR HAD ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED-OUT OF POCKET-COOLANT CROSSOVER LEAKING INTO OIL COOLER, AND VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL.....THE CAR RUNS EXTREMELY HOT, HAS POOR PERFORMANCE, GETS TERRIBLE GAS MI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036738 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10070850 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070850 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10088757 · 2004-08-29 (August 29, 2004)

ON JULY 24, 2004 WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE ON I-81, I COULD FEEL THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE IN THE VEHICLE,THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE IDIOT LIGHTS OR THE GAUGES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DISTRESS. AS I GOT TO THE RIGHT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE RADIATOR LIGHT CAME ON, I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND FINISHED THE REPAIR OF THE WATER PUMP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE IDIOT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE EMANATING…

Owner-reported narrative. 29,279 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088757 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026917 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND IS HARD TO START BACK UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TEN TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026917 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10038568 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)

ENGINE COOLING FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038568 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068390 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)

LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 64,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10126748 · 2005-06-27 (June 27, 2005)

1998 CATERA PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC PART MAL FUNCTION; ALTERNATOR FAILURE; BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES; HEATER AND A/C INOPERATIVE-BURNED HARNESS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT; DOOR HINGES FAILED; ENGINE OIL LEAK; VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START; PREMATURE TIRE WEAR; VEHICLE WANDERS; FRONT END ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR; WARPED DISC ROTORS TWICE IN TWO YEAR PERIOD; DIFFERENTIAL SEALS LEAK; VAOLTAGE METER AMBIGUOS READING; SIDEMARKERS INOPERATIVE AND CORRODED; HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURE; REMOTE KEYS FILED; …

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126748 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10017429 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)

DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CAUSED VEHICLE TO BECOME DISABLED. *AK *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017429 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 751086 · 2001-08-24 (August 24, 2001)

BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY 7/05/000; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR STALLS7/31/00; VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT TIRES, REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE TIRE RODS. I ASK FOR A REA SUSP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751086 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

123 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

31.7%Usable mileage39 / 123 records

82.1%Valid incident date101 / 123 records

100.0%Valid filing date123 / 123 records

82.1%Ordered incident and filing dates101 / 123 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3320.2% ODI 10000804 · 85,237 mi THEIR ARE TO MANY PROBLEMS AND TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LIST!!! I EXPERIENCED FOUR RECALLS AT ONCE ON JULY 25TH, 2002. THE TECHNICIANS ARE OBVIOUSLY INCOMPENTENT OR HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THIS VEHICLE CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. I CALLED THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER GIVEN RUN AROUND. I SUFFERED A CATROSTROFIC ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF LOW COOLANT IN MY ENGINE WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. LETTERS FROM GM STATE VEHICLES CAN SUFFER ENGINE DAMAGED OR ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THEY WILL COVER THE LOSSES AND AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE TO PAY FOR T… Look up ODI 10000804 at NHTSA ↗	2016.3% ODI 10010199 · 60,765 mi COOLANT LEAKING CAUSE ENGINE HEAD NEEDS REPLACING. *NLM Look up ODI 10010199 at NHTSA ↗	67.5% ODI 10012453 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 Look up ODI 10012453 at NHTSA ↗	34.5% ODI 10009511 THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8 OCCASIONS.*JB Look up ODI 10009511 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10275683 · 92,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. SINCE MAY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR GREATER. INITIALLY, THE STALLING OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 28, 2009, THE STALLING OCCURS EVERY OTHER DAY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 BF THE MECHANIC STATED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB Look up ODI 10275683 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	169.8% ODI 566232 CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC Look up ODI 566232 at NHTSA ↗	108.1% ODI 10187875 · 38,000 mi I'M REPAIRING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES, 100000 TOTAL MILES. THESE CARS WERE LEMONS! CADILLAC KNOWS IT, BUT DOES NOT FEEL THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF CATERA OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EXPENSE OF REPEATED REPAIRS, TOTALING $10,000 WITH TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, TIMING BELTS, COOLING SYSTEMS, WATER PUMPS,AND OH YEAH...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! AND ANY ADVICE BESIDES THE OBVIOUS. *AK Look up ODI 10187875 at NHTSA ↗	1113.8% ODI 10140293 · 67,000 mi 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 AL… Look up ODI 10140293 at NHTSA ↗	57.5% ODI 568225 THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT SHE IS ON HER THIRD BATTERY, AND THE THREE YEAR LEASE DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL MARCH 2003. *SCC Look up ODI 568225 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 8005577 WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK Look up ODI 8005577 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	84.9% ODI 524116 LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL/HYDROPLANING ON WET ROADS, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO TIRES. Look up ODI 524116 at NHTSA ↗	1713.8% ODI 10041592 THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 30 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. TOO MANY TO LIST. NOW THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MINNESOTA. *LA Look up ODI 10041592 at NHTSA ↗	810.0% ODI 10070309 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 REPAIR… Look up ODI 10070309 at NHTSA ↗	69.0% ODI 10099603 CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES WITH THE SAME BRAND, AND THE TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE WIRE. VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED AT 6000 MILES.*AK Look up ODI 10099603 at NHTSA ↗	516.7% ODI 10029815 CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED GOODYEAR, EAGLE TIRES, SIZE# P255/55R16, DOT UNKNOWN BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO SET OF TIRES. *AK Look up ODI 10029815 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	74.3% ODI 10003913 THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING/THERE'S A LOUD TAPPING SOUND, THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE POWER LOCKS AT TIMES WON'T UNLOCK/MUST PLAY WITH THE FLOOR SHIFTER, AND THE CLOCK WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IN REFERENCE TO THE ENGINE. SCC Look up ODI 10003913 at NHTSA ↗	1613.0% ODI 10036738 NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH 1998 CATERA. HAD TIMING BELT TENSIONER-PULLEYS/CAM DRIVE REPLACED LAST YEAR(3-2002) WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" WAS ISSUED BY CADILLAC IN SEPT 2002 FOR CATERA'S TO HAVE CAME DRIVE IDLER/TENSIONER PULLEY/WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH NEW VERSION. GOT VEHICLE SERVICED TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT CAR HAD ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED-OUT OF POCKET-COOLANT CROSSOVER LEAKING INTO OIL COOLER, AND VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL.....THE CAR RUNS EXTREMELY HOT, HAS POOR PERFORMANCE, GETS TERRIBLE GAS MI… Look up ODI 10036738 at NHTSA ↗	78.8% ODI 10002078 CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING . PH Look up ODI 10002078 at NHTSA ↗	710.4% ODI 10058262 · 80,000 mi WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO THE CAR STALL THE CAR SPUN OUT AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SEVERAL STALLOUTS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SINCE PURCHASED IN 2002. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH NOT STARTING WHEN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH FUEL. AFTER BEING FILLED COMPLETELY, THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKS ANTIFREEZE FROM THE OIL COOLER AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 GALLON PER WEEK. CADILLAC AC… Look up ODI 10058262 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10553358 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE GASKETS, BELTS AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ Look up ODI 10553358 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front	169.8% ODI 10065044 · 75,400 mi WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE STEERED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID VEHICLE FROM GOING AUTOMATICALLY TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT SOMETHING IN THE FRONT END WAS BENT. *AK Look up ODI 10065044 at NHTSA ↗	1310.6% ODI 10041561 · 68,000 mi BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES DUE TO IMPROPER ALLIGNMENT. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 1-28-02, AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT END PULLING TO THE LEFT. HAVE HAD A NEW TIE ROD PUT ON, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. NEW TIRES WERE ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IS WORSE, WITH STEEL CORD COMING THRU, PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS WORN BAD. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND/OR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE AT FAULT AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS AND THE CADILLAC DIVISION ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. AT THIS … Look up ODI 10041561 at NHTSA ↗	56.3% ODI 564987 CONSUMER STATES THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT GIVE POWER FROM A STOP POSITION UNLESS THE PEDAL IS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.*JB Look up ODI 564987 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 769196 WE HAVE HAD 4 COMPUTERIZED FRONT END ALIGMENTS AND 3 SETS OF TIRES BEFORE 18,611 MILES, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. DT Look up ODI 769196 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	74.3% ODI 10016925 · 65,074 mi I PURCHASED A 1997 CADILLAC CATERA ON JAN 31, 2001 FROM UNITED AUTOMAX IN MEMPHIS, TN. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE I HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. BEGINNING WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY, HEATER CORE REPLACED, ROTORS REPLACED AND WEARING OUT AGAIN WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME. FUSES HAVE BLOWN, RADIATOR FAN ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS. NUMEROUS RECALLS AND ETC. ON APRIL 14, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR TO BUD DAVIS CADILLAC IN MEMPHIS AND REPORTED THAT I COULD SMELL OIL B… Look up ODI 10016925 at NHTSA ↗	54.1% ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗	67.5% ODI 10027084 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 Look up ODI 10027084 at NHTSA ↗	1319.4% ODI 10058262 · 80,000 mi WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO THE CAR STALL THE CAR SPUN OUT AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SEVERAL STALLOUTS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SINCE PURCHASED IN 2002. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH NOT STARTING WHEN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH FUEL. AFTER BEING FILLED COMPLETELY, THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKS ANTIFREEZE FROM THE OIL COOLER AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 GALLON PER WEEK. CADILLAC AC… Look up ODI 10058262 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10311805 · 70,484 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE GEARS THEN STARTED TO SHIFT VERY SLOWLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,484. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,486. Look up ODI 10311805 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	74.3% ODI 10189683 · 58,600 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. ON MAY 2, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ANTIFREEZE LINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,600.AK Look up ODI 10189683 at NHTSA ↗	64.9% ODI 10086240 · 105,000 mi WATER KEEPS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO AND NOW THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING COOLANT. *AK Look up ODI 10086240 at NHTSA ↗	22.5% ODI 10185407 · 101,946 mi ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON Look up ODI 10185407 at NHTSA ↗	34.5% ODI 10191850 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 Look up ODI 10191850 at NHTSA ↗	413.3% ODI 10135829 · 35,000 mi ON 8/20/05, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT (FILE # 1-357-445-124) WITH CADILLAC CUSTOMER RELATIONS, IN ORDER TO REQUEST FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR OF TWO SAFETY-RELATED ISSUES AND ONE SERVICE-RELATED ISSUE THAT HAVE COME TO MY KNOWLEDGE RECENTLY. I BELIEVE THESE ISSUES DID NOT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT AND HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING PRIOR TO THE EXPIRING OF THE WARRANTY IN DECEMBER 2004. CAR HAS ONLY 35K MILES AND IS DRIVEN AVG OF 4K MILES PER YEAR. COMPLAINT IS AS FOLLOWS: 1) DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL FACTORY CHROME RIMS: AS PER TIRES PLUS AND LINDSAY CADILLAC SE… Look up ODI 10135829 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	74.3% ODI 542463 DASH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATING, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. Look up ODI 542463 at NHTSA ↗	54.1% ODI 10067764 I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADILLAC WHEN I HAD PROBLES A MONTH AGO BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?*AK Look up ODI 10067764 at NHTSA ↗	810.0% ODI 10070309 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 REPAIR… Look up ODI 10070309 at NHTSA ↗	23.0% ODI 729599 THIS HAS OCCURRED SERVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING OR DEALER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE TO RESOLVE. Look up ODI 729599 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	49,000–72,000 mi	60,765 mi	9	ODI 10010199 · 60,765 mi COOLANT LEAKING CAUSE ENGINE HEAD NEEDS REPLACING. NLM Look up ODI 10010199 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10010367 · 28,000 mi I HAD A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO OIL POSSIBLY DUE TO A BAD OIL COOLER IN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. AFTER A WHILE, SOMETIME IN MARCH OF 2003 THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED AND COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO OIL AGAIN. IT ALSO SEEMED THAT SOMEBODY REPLACED THE OIL COOLER EVEN BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY A FORTUNE TO REPAIR IT THE FIRST TIME AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP AGAIN AND I WILL SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH CADILLAC, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC OR POSSIBLY EVEN … Look up ODI 10010367 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10018268 · 72,000 mi THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JB Look up ODI 10018268 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	62,300 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10045218 · 67,000 mi BOUGHT THIS 98 CATERA NEW. TO BE SAFE FROM BLOWOUTS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES; BASICALLY, INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR. GM MAINTAINS THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW AT 67,000 MILES TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF ENGINE DAMAGE ! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS GM PRODUCT AND NOTE THE LAUDED 'CADILLAC SERVICE'' IS CLEARLY FALSE ADVERTISING. IN GOOD FAITH WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL THIS CAR. IS THIS GOVERNMENT SITE OF ANY REAL USE ? CLEARLY THE TIRE WEAR SAFETY P… Look up ODI 10045218 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10070850 · 60,000 mi SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR Look up ODI 10070850 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	35,459–63,443 mi	59,000 mi	10	ODI 10038568 · 54,000 mi ENGINE COOLING FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK Look up ODI 10038568 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10066067 · 64,590 mi CAR RAN HOT. TOWED BACK TO DEALER. DEALER STATED CADILLAC HAD A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP. CADILLAC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. DEALER PAID FOR BELT, ETC. AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $190. LESS THAN A MONTH FOLLOWING THE WATER PUMP FAILURE, THE COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING. CADILLAC DEALER CHARGED $950 TO REPLACE HEATER VALUE AND A FEW HOSES. 1 WEEK LATER, CAR LEAKED AGAIN. RETURNED TO CADILLAC DEALER. DEALER KEPT CAR FOR TWO DAYS, RE-SEATED A WATER HOSE. 1 WEEK LATER, CAR BEGAN SKIPPING. NOW CADILLAC DEALER WANTS TO REMOVE HOSES, ETC. TO GET TO … Look up ODI 10066067 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	Too few reports for a range	63,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10041561 · 68,000 mi BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES DUE TO IMPROPER ALLIGNMENT. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 1-28-02, AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT END PULLING TO THE LEFT. HAVE HAD A NEW TIE ROD PUT ON, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. NEW TIRES WERE ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IS WORSE, WITH STEEL CORD COMING THRU, PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS WORN BAD. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND/OR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE AT FAULT AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS AND THE CADILLAC DIVISION ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. AT THIS … Look up ODI 10041561 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	38,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10187875 · 38,000 mi I'M REPAIRING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES, 100000 TOTAL MILES. THESE CARS WERE LEMONS! CADILLAC KNOWS IT, BUT DOES NOT FEEL THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF CATERA OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EXPENSE OF REPEATED REPAIRS, TOTALING $10,000 WITH TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, TIMING BELTS, COOLING SYSTEMS, WATER PUMPS,AND OH YEAH...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! AND ANY ADVICE BESIDES THE OBVIOUS. *AK Look up ODI 10187875 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	Too few reports for a range	64,600 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	Too few reports for a range	43,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10045218 · 67,000 mi BOUGHT THIS 98 CATERA NEW. TO BE SAFE FROM BLOWOUTS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES; BASICALLY, INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR. GM MAINTAINS THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW AT 67,000 MILES TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF ENGINE DAMAGE ! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS GM PRODUCT AND NOTE THE LAUDED 'CADILLAC SERVICE'' IS CLEARLY FALSE ADVERTISING. IN GOOD FAITH WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL THIS CAR. IS THIS GOVERNMENT SITE OF ANY REAL USE ? CLEARLY THE TIRE WEAR SAFETY P… Look up ODI 10045218 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10166963 · 118,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED INTO AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE BELT SEPARATION, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. Look up ODI 10166963 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10169905 · 11,900 mi WHILE I WAS MAKING A WIDE TURN, THE TIMING BELT OF MY 1998 CATERA BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE HEAD OF MY CAR. THE PULLEY WAS BENT IN THE PROCESS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CATERA. NOW THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. IT WILL COST $5000.00. NM Look up ODI 10169905 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	59,000–90,000 mi	60,000 mi	5	ODI 10126748 · 90,000 mi 1998 CATERA PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC PART MAL FUNCTION; ALTERNATOR FAILURE; BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES; HEATER AND A/C INOPERATIVE-BURNED HARNESS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT; DOOR HINGES FAILED; ENGINE OIL LEAK; VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START; PREMATURE TIRE WEAR; VEHICLE WANDERS; FRONT END ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR; WARPED DISC ROTORS TWICE IN TWO YEAR PERIOD; DIFFERENTIAL SEALS LEAK; VAOLTAGE METER AMBIGUOS READING; SIDEMARKERS INOPERATIVE AND CORRODED; HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURE; REMOTE KEYS FILED; … Look up ODI 10126748 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10147882 · 105,880 mi MY RECENT PROBLEM IS I CAN'T TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I TRY FOR MORE THAN 30 TIME AND YES, I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 35+ TIME SINCE 1999 AND ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. *NM Look up ODI 10147882 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2002: 1 complaints · 2003: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2002	1	1	1
2003	0	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2002	1	1	0
2003	2	0	1

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Tires	Engine And Engine Cooling	Suspension:Front	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	1 ODI 10041592 THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 30 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. TOO MANY TO LIST. NOW THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MINNESOTA. *LA Look up ODI 10041592 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 607600 ENGINE FAILED. Look up ODI 607600 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10166963 · 118,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED INTO AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE BELT SEPARATION, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. Look up ODI 10166963 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 854678 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AK Look up ODI 854678 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10231880 · 60,000 mi 1998 CAD. CATERA - NO INCIDENT STARTED THE PROBLEMS - A MECHANIC KNEW IT HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET BEFORE OPENING THE HOOD OR BEING TOLD WHY I WAS THERE BECAUSE HE SAID 9 OUT OF 10 CATERAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS LISTS THIS YEAR AND MODEL AS A MUST TO AVOID CAR. AT 60K MILES HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, OIL HAD GONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM, CAR OVERHEATS, THE HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT HAS TO BE FLUSHED REGULARLY, NOW AT 80K MILES, THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE BEARINGS AND BRAKES ARE FAILING, THE OIL CANNOT BE… Look up ODI 10231880 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	1 ODI 10041592 THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 30 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. TOO MANY TO LIST. NOW THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MINNESOTA. *LA Look up ODI 10041592 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10070850 · 60,000 mi SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR Look up ODI 10070850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 563665 AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED INFLATOR MODULE. NLM Look up ODI 563665 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 885771 TIRES ARE WEARING OUT AT INSIDE, IT'S NOT NOTICEABLE ON OUTER TIRE. CONSUMER HAS HAD 10 TIRES PUT ON VEHICLE, AND THEY ALL WORE OUT ON INSIDE RIGHT TO STEEL BELTS.AK TIRES ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA, SIZE P225/55R16, CONSUMER STATES THAT GOODYEAR OR CADILLAC HAS A SOLUTION, POSSIBLY A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. SLC Look up ODI 885771 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10045218 · 67,000 mi BOUGHT THIS 98 CATERA NEW. TO BE SAFE FROM BLOWOUTS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES; BASICALLY, INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR. GM MAINTAINS THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW AT 67,000 MILES TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF ENGINE DAMAGE ! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS GM PRODUCT AND NOTE THE LAUDED 'CADILLAC SERVICE'' IS CLEARLY FALSE ADVERTISING. IN GOOD FAITH WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL THIS CAR. IS THIS GOVERNMENT SITE OF ANY REAL USE ? CLEARLY THE TIRE WEAR SAFETY P… Look up ODI 10045218 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	3 ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10070850 · 60,000 mi SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR Look up ODI 10070850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 563665 AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED INFLATOR MODULE. NLM Look up ODI 563665 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10067764 I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADILLAC WHEN I HAD PROBLES A MONTH AGO BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?AK Look up ODI 10067764 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 849840 WHENEVER VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT IT WOULD FAIL TO RESTART AGAIN. WOULD HAVE TOW VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, 8 TIMES SO FAR. MECHANIC WOULD REPROGRAM KEY; REPLACED BATTERY/FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. GMC EPURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER, 1999 FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE LESS $400.OO AK Look up ODI 849840 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	0	1 ODI 885771 TIRES ARE WEARING OUT AT INSIDE, IT'S NOT NOTICEABLE ON OUTER TIRE. CONSUMER HAS HAD 10 TIRES PUT ON VEHICLE, AND THEY ALL WORE OUT ON INSIDE RIGHT TO STEEL BELTS.AK TIRES ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA, SIZE P225/55R16, CONSUMER STATES THAT GOODYEAR OR CADILLAC HAS A SOLUTION, POSSIBLY A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. SLC Look up ODI 885771 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗	—	2 ODI 551815 ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. YH Look up ODI 551815 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 551893 THE LEVELING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM Look up ODI 551893 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	2 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 886418 VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE GOING BY GMC SPECS. BUT ALIGNMENT IS OFF, CAUSING INNER EDGE OF TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL.AK THERE WAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF SHOP MORE THAN TEN TIMES FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. AL FOUR TIRES HAD BE TO TEPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RELATED ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. YH Look up ODI 886418 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	1 ODI 607600 ENGINE FAILED. Look up ODI 607600 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	2 ODI 551815 ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. YH Look up ODI 551815 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 551893 THE LEVELING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM Look up ODI 551893 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 751086 BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY 7/05/000; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR STALLS7/31/00; VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT TIRES, REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE TIRE RODS. I ASK FOR A REA SUSP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NO… Look up ODI 751086 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10187875 · 38,000 mi I'M REPAIRING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES, 100000 TOTAL MILES. THESE CARS WERE LEMONS! CADILLAC KNOWS IT, BUT DOES NOT FEEL THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF CATERA OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EXPENSE OF REPEATED REPAIRS, TOTALING $10,000 WITH TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, TIMING BELTS, COOLING SYSTEMS, WATER PUMPS,AND OH YEAH...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! AND ANY ADVICE BESIDES THE OBVIOUS. *AK Look up ODI 10187875 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	0	1 ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10067764 I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADILLAC WHEN I HAD PROBLES A MONTH AGO BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?AK Look up ODI 10067764 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068390 · 64,600 mi LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVE… Look up ODI 10068390 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 849840 WHENEVER VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT IT WOULD FAIL TO RESTART AGAIN. WOULD HAVE TOW VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, 8 TIMES SO FAR. MECHANIC WOULD REPROGRAM KEY; REPLACED BATTERY/FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. GMC EPURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER, 1999 FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE LESS $400.OO AK Look up ODI 849840 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 751086 BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY 7/05/000; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR STALLS7/31/00; VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT TIRES, REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE TIRE RODS. I ASK FOR A REA SUSP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NO… Look up ODI 751086 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	2 ODI 10166963 · 118,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED INTO AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE BELT SEPARATION, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. Look up ODI 10166963 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 854678 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AK Look up ODI 854678 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10045218 · 67,000 mi BOUGHT THIS 98 CATERA NEW. TO BE SAFE FROM BLOWOUTS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES; BASICALLY, INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR. GM MAINTAINS THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW AT 67,000 MILES TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF ENGINE DAMAGE ! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS GM PRODUCT AND NOTE THE LAUDED 'CADILLAC SERVICE'' IS CLEARLY FALSE ADVERTISING. IN GOOD FAITH WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL THIS CAR. IS THIS GOVERNMENT SITE OF ANY REAL USE ? CLEARLY THE TIRE WEAR SAFETY P… Look up ODI 10045218 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	1 ODI 10231880 · 60,000 mi 1998 CAD. CATERA - NO INCIDENT STARTED THE PROBLEMS - A MECHANIC KNEW IT HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET BEFORE OPENING THE HOOD OR BEING TOLD WHY I WAS THERE BECAUSE HE SAID 9 OUT OF 10 CATERAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS LISTS THIS YEAR AND MODEL AS A MUST TO AVOID CAR. AT 60K MILES HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, OIL HAD GONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM, CAR OVERHEATS, THE HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT HAS TO BE FLUSHED REGULARLY, NOW AT 80K MILES, THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE BEARINGS AND BRAKES ARE FAILING, THE OIL CANNOT BE… Look up ODI 10231880 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10139607 · 59,000 mi CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 200… Look up ODI 10139607 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 886418 VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE GOING BY GMC SPECS. BUT ALIGNMENT IS OFF, CAUSING INNER EDGE OF TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL.AK THERE WAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF SHOP MORE THAN TEN TIMES FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. AL FOUR TIRES HAD BE TO TEPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RELATED ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. YH Look up ODI 886418 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10187875 · 38,000 mi I'M REPAIRING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES, 100000 TOTAL MILES. THESE CARS WERE LEMONS! CADILLAC KNOWS IT, BUT DOES NOT FEEL THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF CATERA OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EXPENSE OF REPEATED REPAIRS, TOTALING $10,000 WITH TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, TIMING BELTS, COOLING SYSTEMS, WATER PUMPS,AND OH YEAH...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! AND ANY ADVICE BESIDES THE OBVIOUS. *AK Look up ODI 10187875 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 8.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 51,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10026917

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND IS HARD TO START BACK UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TEN TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED. *AK

Look up ODI 10026917 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10038568 · 54,000 mi

ENGINE COOLING FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Look up ODI 10038568 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10049840 · 47,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE TIMING, BUT THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED. *JB *NM

Look up ODI 10049840 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

8 mentions · 6.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,942 mi (7 usable records).

ODI 10029029 · 58,200 mi

Look up ODI 10029029 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10132163 · 69,140 mi

MID-JUNE ABS TC WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR IN 1998 CADILLAC CATERA. EBTCM DIAGNOSED AS FAILED. DEALER ORDERED NEW EBTCM, NOT AVAILABLE. CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE CONFIRMS "NATIONAL BACKORDER" NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THESE PARTS IN GM WAREHOUSE SYSTEMS, DEALER SYSTEM, ETC. TOOK CAR TO CHEVY (GM) DEALER (7/9/05) TO DIAGNOSE. CONFIRM FAILURE OF EBTCM; PART NOT AVAILABLE. CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE, E-MAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. RESPONSE REMAINS CONSTANT...NATIONAL BACK ORDER, NO KNOWLEDGE WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. WE MUST DRIVE CAR WITH NO ABS, …

Look up ODI 10132163 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10159035 · 59,942 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BEFORE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 7/3/2006 - *NM

Look up ODI 10159035 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

7 mentions · 5.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 64,594 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10088757 · 29,279 mi

Look up ODI 10088757 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10096536 · 64,594 mi

PURCHASED 1998 CADILLAC CATERA 2/06/04. 64,546 MILES. WATER PUMP FAILED AS WE ARRIVED HOME WITH VEHICLE. SELLING DEALER SENT VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER, CAPITAL CADILLAC FOR REPAIRS. WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. *AK WHEN WATER PUMP FAILED IT DAMAGED THE MAIN BELT AND CAUSED IT TO COME OFF DISABELING POWER STEERING AND OTHER EQUIPMENT POWERED BY BELT. ENGINE BRIEFLY OVERHEATED WHILE STOPPING. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP ON CAMPAIGN 02041 AND SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE - CAMPAIGN 01037. THE FAILURE DOES NOT MENTIO…

Look up ODI 10096536 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10132163 · 69,140 mi

Look up ODI 10132163 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 861517

INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. COMPLETE FORM. *AK

Look up ODI 861517 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10229812

FUEL LINE BEHIND PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS DAMAGED BY AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD THAT THE DRIVER RAN OVER. THE FUEL LINE IS NOT PROTECTED IN ANYWAY ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WELL. THIS INCIDENT LEAD TO A MAJOR GAS LEAK AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10229812 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 751086

Look up ODI 751086 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule