10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,515 miles

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problem #19

Mar 152007

Catera

  • miles
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.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #18

Dec 262000

Catera 6-cyl

  • 27,191 miles
Cadillac Catera 1998, driver seat became extremely hot that consumer back was burned. The consumer first had a problem with the seat not heating was back in December of 2000 which was repaired. On previous occasion the consumer had work done. The molding around the windshield was loose, the consumer reported a wobble in the tire, one month later the consumer had a flat tire, he was then told the tires needed to replaced, there was static from the radio, the front pads were replaced and the brake sensor was replaced twice.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #17

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 #16

Jun 152001

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
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

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 022003

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
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 problem and expensive idler/tensioner fan belt/timing belt problems deserve some consumer protection!

- Chestertown, MD, USA

problem #14

Oct 102003

Catera

  • miles
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.

- Minneapolis , MN, USA

problem #13

Jun 111999

Catera

  • miles
The tires have cupped on several occasions causing noise and causing the vehicle to pull to the left while driving, two tires were replaced on 25-Aug-1999 at 19020 miles, all four were replaced on 11-Jul-2000 (Goodyear tires). Nlm

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #12

Jun 111999

Catera

  • miles
The tires have cupped on several occasions causing noise and causing the vehicle to pull to the left while driving, two tires were replaced on 25-Aug-1999 at 19020 miles, all four were replaced on 11-Jul-2000 (Goodyear tires). Nlm

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #11

Oct 012001

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
Tires prematurely wear out on inside edge of the rear tires. This cannot be noticed due to the location. Cadillac says there is no fix for this condition. This is a saftey issue that must be addressed. (tiresize: 225/55/R16)

- Oakhurst, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 192001

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
The Cadillac catersa has a design flaw that causes the tires to wear rapidly. The first time there was a problem I noticed a vibration in the car and took the car in to have the tires balanced and rotated. I was told the tires were worn out and there was no need to rotate or balance. The car had approximately 17,000 miles on it and you could see the chords on the inside of tire. Frank kent replaced the tires and I was told it must have been a bad set of tires because everything else was within specs. In July of this year, my wife took the car in to get the tires rotated and balanced before going on a trip to Oklahoma. Again, we were told two of the tires were worn out and there was no need to have the tires rotated and balanced. The car had approximately 28,000 miles on it. This time frank kent tells me the Catera is within prescribed specs but, it has been discovered the specs, specified for the rear toe in, causes the car to wear out tires in under 20,000 miles even if rotated every 6,000 miles. Frank kent replaced two of the four tires and advised me Cadillac will not replace any more tires after 30,000 miles, and we should have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Their manual says 10,000 miles. This vehicle has a design flaw. The window sticker lulls customers into believing the tires on the vehicle are warranted for 50,000 miles and then they wear out and become dangerous in 20,000 miles or less. Worn out tires caused by the design of the vehicle could cause blow outs and death. I would think Cadillac would want to fix the problem now rather than later but, they have refused. If there is one accident because of this design flaw that is one too many! we bought the car and paid for it in good faith.we need your help in this unfair problem.

- Colleyville, TN, USA

problem #9

Jun 132001

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
Tires worn out on inside. Not readily visible. Safety issue. GM will not repair. Car misaligned from factory. Technical bulletin issued.

- Princeton Junction, NJ, USA

problem #8

Apr 122001

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. Tires are Goodyear Eagle rsa, size P225/55R16, consumer states that Goodyear or Cadillac has a solution, possibly a suspension problem.

- Boardmen, OH, USA

problem #7

Feb 092001

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Two tires lost pressure in last two months. Goodyear, rsa tires, mts P225/55R16 94H. First tire was 2 months ago, front drivers side. Second tire was a week ago, rear driver's side. Heated seat is inoperable, dealer replaced heating element.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #6

Oct 232000

Catera

  • miles
Tires were checked during 3000 mile oil change and tire wear was reported as normal. 900 miles later we experienced a shimming when driving at around 70 miles an hour. Stopped to have tires checked at Goodyear dealer and the tires were worn down to wearbars approximately 4 inch strip on each of the front tires. Goodyear dealer stated and Cadillac confirmed that Cadillac Catera is noted for alignmnent problems causing unusual tire wear. This is a safety issue when in less than 900 miles a tire can wear to a seriously dangerous level. Research via various web sites indicates many Catera owners experiencing serious problems with dangerous tire wear and wheel alignments. (tiresize: P225/55R16)( dot number: Tire size: P225/55R16 )

- San Lorenzo, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 091999

Catera

  • miles
I just bought the seventh new tire since I bought the Catera. I was told the alignment was set wrong at the factory. Cadiallac replaced three tires. They just keep wearing out. I've had three blowouts. Just lucky I didn't have an accident. I am selling the vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: P225/55R16 )

- Village Mills, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 292000

Catera

  • miles
In January 1999 I received a service bulletin # 81-31-02 from Cadillac motor vehicle division informing me that the Catera had a tendency to "...drift or lead to the right while driving and/or the front tires appear to be wearing more on the inner shoulder." I took the vehicle in the repair per their request but the tires continued to wear on the inner edge to the point of steel tread showing through but sterling & Cadillac motor vehicle division now say there's "nothing we can do about it". in the meantime I need 4 new tires. I believe there is a defect in the nonmenclature of this vehicle causing premature breakdown of the tires. (tiresize: 225/55-16)( dot number: Tire size: 225/55-16 )

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 091999

Catera

  • miles
I just bought the seventh new tire since I bought the Catera. I was told the alignment was set wrong at the factory. Cadiallac replaced three tires. They just keep wearing out. I've had three blowouts. Just lucky I didn't have an accident. I am selling the vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: P225/55R16 )

- Village Mills, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 061999

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
All four tires wore within 1/64" of wearbar at 20000 miles. Goodyear made adjustment on replacement tires. However during replacement it was noted two front tires had a 1' wornband around inside edges to the extent that fabric ( internal support) was exposed.either one or both tires were about ready to fail( dot number: Tire size: P225/55R16 )

- Hayes, VA, USA

problem #1

May 291999

Catera

  • miles
Due to a manufacturer's defect the all four tires became bald, and caused vehicle to slide. This could have resulted a crash. Manufacturer admitted it was a manufacturer's defect, but was not willing to repair vehicle.

- San Mateo, CA, USA