Currently Cadillac has no published information regarding the replacement of the timing belt for this vehicle. It is my understanding that in speaking with various dealer across Texas, that the Catera has been experiencing failure to the tensioner. When the tensioner breaks, the timing belt then either breaks as well or falls off, causing the engine to suffer sever damage. I am currently taking up the issue with Cadillac because the price quoted to me by the dealer far exceeds the value of the vehicle. If you have any questions regarding this issue or can lend any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

While traveling heard noise coming from engine. Soon after, engine stalled. Vehicle was towed. Technician stated that timing chain needed to be replaced.

- San Cruz, CA, USA

While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle's timing belt tensioner assembly exploded. This caused the engine to stop in the fast lane of a fivelane interstate. The vehicle was towed to a Cadillac dealership. The service personnel are aware that this event has happened to numerous Catera models! Cadillac customer service refuses to assist customer in making expensive repairs. This should be considered a safety hazard to all Catera owners! please help Cadillac do the right thing before someone gets hurt or killed!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Driving on highway about 60mph when funny ticking noise occurred and engine stopped and did not respond. Brought it to dealer to find out that the timing belt broke / pulley failed, causing engine to be totalled.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

I took my car in for the 75,000 mile check up and advised dealership I was hearing a noise. They advised car was fine. I paid $200 for the work. The next week the car was making the same noise, I took it back to the same dealership and this time they said it was the belt tensioner. I paid $280 to have that fixed. The very next week, while driving on the hov lane to take my baby to daycare, the car stopped accelerating and went dead while I was going 65mph. The car was inoperable and towed to the dealership. They then advised that the timing chain had broke ruining the entire engine at the cost of $8000. I then began doing research and found 6 other complaints similar to mine on msn carpoint and about 3 on the NHTSA site. I believe GM was aware of the problems this car has and should have recalled it and made the necessary repairs. I feel very fortunate because my child and I could have been seriously injured because of this defect. GM needs to take responsibility for the inadequacies of their vehicles. Does someone have to die before action is taken?

- Houston, TX, USA

Defective pulleys caused the timing belt to come off its track. Bent valves do not allow proper compression to give the vehicle power so it will not start or run. Visual signs of wear on the pulleys show apparently bad craftmanship.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Tensioner pulley failed @ 65mph on expressway. When tensioner pulley let go proceeded to bend valves; damage and break pistons causing one piston to become imbedded in the engine head. Engine is a loss. New engine cost 9500. We began to coast in highway traffic in the speed lane possibly causing an accident. Fornately there was none. Contacted dealer. No response no return phone calls. Contacted Cadillac cust serv. They said could not assist me that we should have had the timing serviced @ 60K miles per manual. We never recieved a manual with car.one was requested from Cadillac cust serv within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle. It was never recieved. No notice for service was sent.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

After timing belt went bad vehicle would stall out without any prior warning. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Winne, AR, USA

Timing belt bolts have worn out prematurely. A new tensioner was insalled, however the results are still the same.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Car was making a grinding sound under hood. Was told timing chain tensioner was almost broken. Dlr replaced tensioner, timing chain, and idler pulley. Car has had 6 alignments since 10/13/00. Car still pulls to left and wears out tires prematurely. Car has 47,000 miles on itand has 3rd set of tires on it. Car had a oil leak on valve cover gaskets. Dlr repaired and replaced. Car hesitates and surges forward. Dlr has not found problem. Car has abnormal shift patterns. Sometimes shift down to a lower gear causing car to lose power and speed, then shifts back to overdrive without depressing accelerator. Dlr has not found a problem. There is a sound from rear of car. Sounds like bad shocks. Dlr replaced frame support bushings and lower control arms. Noise still there. There are too many problems to report here. Car has serious problems and has been to dealership for extensive warranty work 9 times within our 7 months of ownership. The last visit, the sealership had the car for 15 days trying to repair the car, and now, most of the same things that were suppose to be repaired are still faulty. Today, the heating system went out. There is no heat in the car now. We will be returning back to dealership this morning. We have written the manufacturer and will be sending that letter off today also.

- Knightdale, NC, USA

While driving engine crankshaft/pulley came off, causing the vehicle to lose all power.ause unknown.

- Purvis, MI, USA

Battery replacement 2 months after purchase; tensioner pulley disintegrated; fog lights have been replaced twice

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

While parking the pulley on the crankshaft broke, causing loss of vehicle control. Cause unknown.

- Hallandale, FL, USA