6.8

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,229 miles

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problem #7

May 042004

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,600 miles
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 over $600 to replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires. Problem still occurs. Then they told us it had to be the coil pack. We spent over $300 on that. Problem still occurs. The car in back at the Cadillac dealer's shop yesterday and today. So far they cannot locate problem. A co-worker of my wife's at the Georgia motor vehicle safety department ownes a Catera. She and her husband have spent over $9,000 on their Catera in the past two years for repairs. They cannot keep tires on the car. The co-worker said they had the same cold start problem with their Catera. It cost over $500 for a starter switch part. It appears Cadillac threw the car together from an engine from england, a transmission from france and assembled the car in germany. I don't think it is fair for consummers to have to foot the bill for Cadillac's neglegency in not properly testing the car prior to marketing. This is nothing short of consummer fraud. We have owned two Cadillac Seville, a Deville, and a small Cadillac back in the 80's. we presently drive a Seville. We have never had any major problems with Cadillac products until this Catera. It is not Cadillac quality and appears to have been marketed without proper training of mechanics in the field in spite of GM's constant advertisements about the excellence of "Mr. Good wrench." Cadillac should be required to fix their problems with the Catera design.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #6

Apr 252004

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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?

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #5

Sep 052001

Catera

  • miles
After removing key from ignition and exiting vehicle, vehicle started to roll back into a playground area. Dealer confirmed that the key could be removed in any gear. Consumer adds that it takes anywhere from 45" to 20" for key to cycle on the ignition. The switch was replaced 4 times under warranty, but problem still exist, also this problem did cause an accident, there were no injuries.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #4

Sep 052001

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Key can be taken out of ignition in any gear. Dealer replaced ignition switch. Consumer stated that dealer confirmed that lock and unlock switch were bad, consumer sated the gear was in park and the keys were in her purse, and 5 to 10 minutes later the vehicle rolled into a small fence.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 242001

Catera

  • miles
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 not necessary and that they did not have time to do it that day. Right front headlamp out 3/01/01; left head light out 4/13/01;check engine light on, sunroof opens while driving w/O turning dial,5/24/01; remote key not working replace key, check engine light on, 6/21/01; check engine light on, slow pickup, rear sus. Rough ride help-recall emission 7/26/01; check engine light on contact dealer on my way out of town told not to worry about the check engine light and to adjust the knob on the gas tank by turning it several times. 8/6/01; car will not start battery dead, sunroof not working. Contact tow service they refuse to take car to dealer. Tow service boost car battery and left. Sunroof refuse to operate. Check engine light on 8/13/01-car parked going on vacation; check engine light on return from vacation 8/23/01-help- doing the first year of 1999 I had problems with my breaks thoses documents were destroyed in a house fire. My house caught on fire on 11/24/99. (tiresize: 14rhs)

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #2

Jul 061999

Catera

  • miles
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

- Indian Wells, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Key sticks in the ignition switch. Mjs

- North Hollywood, CA, USA