Cadillac Catera Problems by Year
NHTSA has 468 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Cadillac Catera, across 7 model years (1997–2003). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (163). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Cadillac Catera years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Catera year: 1997, 1998. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 Catera: 163 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Catera: 123 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Catera: 80 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Catera: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2003 Catera: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Catera: 30 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Cadillac Catera problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 187 | 5 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 81 | 6 | 4 |
| Tires | 54 | 5 | 1 |
| Suspension | 52 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 45 | 5 | 5 |
| Steering | 38 | 5 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 34 | 6 | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 29 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 28 | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 26 | 7 | 8 |
| Visibility | 26 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 25 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 | 5 | 1 |
| Equipment | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 16 | 5 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| Wheels | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Cadillac Catera problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Cadillac Catera model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Catera | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2002 Catera | 2 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2001 Catera | 30 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2000 Catera | 67 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1999 Catera | 80 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Catera | 123 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 Catera | 163 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Cadillac: all Cadillac models · Cadillac VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Catera years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (163), 1998 (123) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Catera year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Cadillac Catera?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 187 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Cadillac Catera have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.