3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Cadillac Catera:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Dec 172006

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles
Our 1999 Cadillac Catera engine shelled out due to the defective serpentine bearing assembly that General Motors elected to install on the 3.0 V-6 engine for this car. GM is well aware of the defect but refuses to do anything about the problem. When the defective bearings freeze up at highway speeds, it causes a complete engine failure; hence resulting in an expensive engine replacement. Because GM does no longer make the 3.0 V-6 motor for this car, you are stuck with purchasing one used from wherever you can find one. My used engine cost $3,460 to replace the one that was in my vehicle. The miles on the replacement motor was stated to me as 39,000 + miles. My original motor went out at 116,000. If not for the tracking system in my car, I would have been at the mercy of the public while I was 230 miles from home. The only clue that I had that something was amiss was from a faint oily burnt smell just prior to the engine failure. This was explained to me by the dealer that was from the bearing seizure and the serpentine belt. The engine had no known problems prior to the breakdown.

- Windsor, MO, USA

problem #4

Nov 302006

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 72 mph, there was a subtle musty oily smell inside the cab of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted, and was towed to a service dealer, who determined that the problem was due to a faulty pulley tensioner in the charging system. The part was ordered and replaced, but the problem persisted. The final determination from the dealer was that the entire motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified.

- Windsor, MO, USA

problem #3

Jun 062004

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My stopped working I took it to a mechanic and he said you need to call the dealer as soon the mechanic told them the problem they said it was a recall on that car I am angry because I was never notified and now my engine is gone and they fixed my car three are four times here and in Texas and never breath a word on the recall I feel they should offer me another car at the same purchase price.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #2

Sep 211999

Catera

  • miles
A belt came off and some sensors went bad, causing the steering to go out, the consumer coasted vehicle to the side of the road.

- Sikeston, MO, USA

problem #1

Sep 211999

Catera

  • miles
A belt came off and some sensors went bad, causing the steering to go out, the consumer coasted vehicle to the side of the road.

- Sikeston, MO, USA