NHTSA — Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1999 Cadillac Catera accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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1999 Cadillac Catera Owner Comments

problem #2

May 032000

(reported on)

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When driving on several occasions rear doors were not fully closed at a time when children were rear of vehicle. Consumer provided no indication that the doors were open. Consumer has contacted the dealer. There are no indications of the doors being opened, the doors are supposed to automatically lock once the vehicle is shifted into drive, however the doors remain open and unlocked. Consumer hears a clicking noise from the center dash. The sunroof stays stuck in the open position and makes a loud cracking noise, it's taken 3 times to repair the problem. When vehicle is first driven, it sticks in first gear. The steering wheel is hard to keep under control allowing the vehicle to wander while driving. The front door handle sticks, the dealer can not remedy the problem. The windshield wipers wore out prematurely. The engine races while coasting downhill, the dealer stated that this was normal. The interior flooded, the dealer stated the the hood drains are clogged with debris.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #1

Dec 241999

Catera

  • miles
Upon arriving at the bank, I attempted to open the door. Using quite a bit of force, I managed to open the door and close it. Upon returning to the car, I was unable to close the door again. Upon inspection, I noticed the latch assembly was stuck in the closed position. I contacted on star and was informed this was a common problem. The lady from on star then got a road side service technician on the phone with us. The technician advised me that "this is a common problem" and it happens to him "at least two times per year". the technician then instructed me to "use a screwdriver to try and force the latch into the proper position". while attempting this, the screwdriver slipped and scratched the rear passenger door. The technician then told me he would come out and attempt to repair the door. After an hour, the technician showed up and tried to open the door latch assembly with a screwdriver for the next hour. He finally removed the rubber molding from around the latch assembly and was able to get the door to close. He then informed me that I should "take the car in to the dealer and have the door latch assembly replaced. I took the car in to ronald moran Cadillac and explained to them what happened. The service technician explained this was a common problem and placed an order for the new part. When asked about wether there was a recall for such a serious problem, the technician said no. I then spoke to the service manager, Mr. David boyd, who informed me there was no recall. I am appalled at the fact that such a serious problem, which could result in death in case of a fire or submerssion in water, that nothing is being done to correct this situation. I hope the federal government can see my point of view and resolve this serious and potentially fatal defect.

- Harbor City, CA, USA

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