2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,976 miles

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problem #2

Feb 112004

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,879 miles
This car was taken to dealer on 2/8/04 for recall 2041, 1037. Two days after picking up the car, the low coolant light came on my way home from work. My husband checked the coolant reservoir and it was over one inch below full, he also checked the driveway for any antifreeze and checked where you put oil in the engine but could not find any signs of external leaks, but a white milky substance under the oil cap. The car has been sitting in my driveway since. I emailed GM about this. This was their response! we have contacted the service manager for dan hemm Cadillac, Mr. Charlie caroll. He is aware of your concerns with the coolant level for the 1997 Cadillac Catera. He is willing to make arrangements to have the vehicle towed in. Depending on the nature of the concern it may or may not be related to the recall 02041, and they will need to diagnose the vehicle to verify. He has also informed us that when the vehicle was in for the recall, they did replace parts as necessary. If you have additional questions, we recommend that you contact him. If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our Cadillac customer assistance center at 1-800-458-8006. Customer relationship managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to refer to your service request number 1-226247104 in all future communication. If I return this car, let the dealer tow it to service department. I will be told that the reason my car is not drivable is my fault, and will be handed a bill for towing and whatever other charges for them looking at it! I had the car back two days, a total of 374 miles. The car has 34867 miles; I have had a lot of other problems with the car, front end alignment, headlight aimers, brake light switch's, headlight switch, ignition coil pack, air bag system. Even with all of the other things that went wrong, I at least could drive it, until I returned it for a recall!

- Piqua, OH, USA

problem #1

Apr 222003

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,074 miles
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 burning. They stated that I needed valve covers resealed and to replace rear main seal. (the work was done thru my extended warranty company). I returned to the dealer and told them about noise coming from the right front end. They in return replaced right and left lower control arm. When I went to pick up the car from dealer I noticed that the noise still existed and informed service agent before I left the dealer's lot. They informed me that it was a bad strut link to which my extended warranty did not cover. After discussing the matter with another machanic (not dealer), he stated that the name of the part was a stabilizer not strut. And not only did the noise exist in the front end, but there was a hissing sound coming from under the hood and that the oil light began to come on and stay on. The mechanic suggested that the hissing noise came from a part that was probably damaged by bud davis Cadillac when repairing valves and seals. I then returned to the dealer. I informed the dealer that my warranty company did cover the stabilizer linkage and they stated that the service agent used the wrong terminology. They agreed to fix it and did, but refused to check the source of the hissing sound without me paying for it. It seems that each week or month there are extensive repairs needed.

- Memphis, TN, USA