5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,011 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Cadillac Catera electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Cadillac Catera Owner Comments

problem #7

Mar 012005

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Murfeesboro, TN, USA

problem #6

Jul 172003

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
Vehicle failed to start even with ample cranking power. Towed to Cadillac dealership. Problem diagnosed as onboard computer containing emissions control unit. I was advised by my extended svc warranty company that because ECU was involved, repair should be covered under mandatory 8/80 federal emissions warranty required of manufacturers by the fed. Clean air act. (veh. Is six years old and has 61,000 miles).GM takes the position that repair is not covered under the fed emissions warranty but will not provide me a written explanation. I've had the car repaired at my own expense and would like recompense either underthe fed emissions warranty program or thru my extended warranty company.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

problem #5

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

problem #4

Aug 212002

(reported on)

Catera 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experienced a slow start when being started in the morning. The dealer replaced the alternator and battery but the problem still exists. The battery failed four times in three days. Nlm the vehicle stalled (in which the vehicle roared for a while), and may have derived from the engine camshaft drive timing belt, idler, tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. Scc

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Jun 262000

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
Vehicle has had excessive failure of the electrical system continually, radio, sunroof, headlight system, dashboard lights, heating and air conditioning would experience problems.

- Lakehurst, NJ, USA

problem #2

May 242000

(reported on)

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary

- Nixa, MO, USA

problem #1

Oct 131998

Catera

  • miles
Electrical system malfunctioned.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

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