Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2014
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10558736
- Incident
- Jan 4, 2014
- Mileage
- 82,300 mi
1997 Cadillac Catera
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
163
Latest Jan 7, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 163 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Cadillac Catera, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and suspension categories. 62 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1999 | 2 | 20 |
| Feb 1999 | 7 | 27 |
| Mar 1999 | 2 | 29 |
| Jun 1999 | 5 | 34 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 35 |
| Sep 1999 | 4 | 39 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 40 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 41 |
| Jan 2000 | 4 | 45 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 46 |
| May 2000 | 4 | 50 |
| Jun 2000 | 2 | 52 |
| Jul 2000 | 1 | 53 |
| Aug 2000 | 2 | 55 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 56 |
| Oct 2000 | 3 | 59 |
| Nov 2000 | 2 | 61 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 62 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 64 |
| Mar 2001 | 5 | 69 |
| Apr 2001 | 1 | 70 |
| May 2001 | 2 | 72 |
| Jun 2001 | 4 | 76 |
| Sep 2001 | 3 | 79 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 81 |
| Nov 2001 | 2 | 83 |
| Dec 2001 | 2 | 85 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 86 |
| Feb 2002 | 5 | 91 |
| Mar 2002 | 6 | 97 |
| Apr 2002 | 2 | 99 |
| May 2002 | 4 | 103 |
| Jun 2002 | 3 | 106 |
| Jul 2002 | 6 | 112 |
| Aug 2002 | 4 | 116 |
| Sep 2002 | 4 | 120 |
| Oct 2002 | 4 | 124 |
| Nov 2002 | 2 | 126 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 127 |
| Jan 2003 | 2 | 129 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 130 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 131 |
| Jun 2003 | 2 | 133 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 134 |
| Aug 2003 | 3 | 137 |
| Sep 2003 | 3 | 140 |
| Nov 2003 | 2 | 142 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 143 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 144 |
| Apr 2004 | 2 | 146 |
| Jun 2004 | 3 | 149 |
| Jul 2004 | 4 | 153 |
| Aug 2004 | 2 | 155 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 156 |
| Jul 2005 | 2 | 158 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 159 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 160 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 161 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 162 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 163 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine7530.9%
- Brakes218.6%
- Suspension218.6%
- Electrical218.6%
- Steering145.8%
- Exterior lighting145.8%
- Visibility124.9%
- Airbags114.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2009
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10262354
- Incident
- Mar 8, 2009
- Mileage
- 128,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 3, 2007
Fire reported
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10189683
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2004
- Mileage
- 58,600 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 5, 2006
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10161420
- Incident
- Jun 12, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Dec 15, 2005
1 injury reported
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10145296
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2005
- Mileage
- 45,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2005
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10130643
- Incident
- Jul 14, 2005
- Mileage
- 88,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 28, 2005
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10130420
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2005
Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2004
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10105316
- Incident
- Dec 24, 2004
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
PIP4723D
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
PIC4696E
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
17NA073
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696D
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
17NA073
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696C
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.