1997 Cadillac Catera problems
Owners have filed 269 complaints about the 1997 Cadillac Catera with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 29% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 10.8%.
Complaints269
Crashes16
Fires5
Injuries16
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 29.0% · 78
Electrical system 10.8% · 29
Suspension 8.9% · 24
Exterior lighting 7.1% · 19
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.7% · 18
Steering 5.9% · 16
Visibility 4.8% · 13
Air bags 4.5% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 16 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Cadillac Catera in this data, 1997 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 30 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 64,414 miles.
In owners' own words
Timing belt tensioner broke, causing vehicle to break down. Dealer repaired, and car broke down again. Consumer informed that dealer will not give her copy of service invoice. Very dangerous for consumer to travel with repeated breakdowns. Consumer received a campaign letter on 06/2002 with regard to problem. Coolant leaks, the coolant light is on and the engine is sluggish after tensioner was replaced. Engine and engine cooling
The 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. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 58,600 miles
The vehicle experienced a slow start when being started in the morning. The dealer replaced the alternator and battery but the problem still exists. The battery failed four times in three days. Nlm the vehicle stalled (in which the vehicle roared for a while), and may have derived from the engine camshaft drive timing belt, idler, tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. Scc Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…