Model year record
1997 Cadillac Catera recalls & problems
The 1997 Cadillac Catera has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 163 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (78 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 Cadillac Catera.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Catera
| City / highway | 16 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 78 | 65,074 mi |
| Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; 12v/24v/48v battery | 29 | 55,171 mi |
| SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm | 24 | 65,074 mi |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Fog lights | 19 | 34,879 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 18 | — |
| SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Gear box (other than rack and pinion) | 16 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system | 13 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module | 12 | 35,253 mi |
| TiresSidewall; Tread/belt | 10 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission | 10 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Accelerator pedal | 9 | — |
| StructureBody › Door; Body | 8 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Steering
I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND DRIVING OUT OF MY COMPLEX WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN IT FOR TWO DAYS. *TR
- Engine and engine cooling
TENSIONER PULLEY LOCKED UP. THE TENSIONER STOPPED TURNING. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DRIVE BELT SHREDDED LIKE SPAGHETTI AND THEN MELTED. I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING BRAKES AND THEN HAVING THE CAR TOWED. TOTAL REPAIR COST: $729. *TR
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. ON MAY 2, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ANTIFREEZE LINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,600.*AK
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
1997-1999 CADILLAC CATERA DOOR LATCH FAILURES. PER THE YAHOO GROUP WEB SITE I BELONG TO, CATERA OWNERS, THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS CHRONIC DOOR LATCH FAILURES, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE OR NOT LATCHING. THIS CAN BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY OWN VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED THIS DEFECT. THE LATCHES HAVE PLASTIC THAT BREAKS AND JAMS THE MECHANISM. OR SIMPLY FAIL TO LATCH OR UNLATCH. I HAVE HAD BOTH SITUATIONS. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN OR WILL NOT CLOSE (LATCH). I FEEL THIS DEFECT HAS BY PURE LUCK NOT CAUSED (ANY KNOWN) FATALITIES, BUT, ONLY A MATTER OF TIME AND WARRANTS A LOOK. *NM
- Structure › Body › Trunk lid1 injury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER OPENING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE THE TRUNK FELL ON HIM. THE SUPPORTS THAT WERE SUPPOSE TO KEEP THE TRUNK IN THE OPEN POSITION FAILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE LIFT SUPPORTS. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK OR SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
MY VEHICLE IS A 97 CADILLAC CATERA AND HAS HAD THE STARTER REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT START. TWO CAR LOTS HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND THEY SAY THAT ITS THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR BUT STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET I'M WONDERING WHY CADILLAC HAS NOT NOTIFIED PEOPLE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CATERAS OF THEM NOT STARTING. *JB
- Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON, ALL THE GAUGES STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PUSHED FORWARD THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR LONGER. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTROL IS PULLED BACK THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, THE AIR CONDITION CONTROLS DID NOT WORK, AND THE O2 SENSOR DID NOT RESPOND. THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES HAVD BEEN REPLACED. *AK
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND PERFORMANCE IS STILL UNSATISFACTORY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE REAR TAIL PIPE.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.