2000 Cadillac Catera Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Cadillac Catera, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2424.7%
- Engine2020.6%
- Airbags88.2%
- Tires & wheels88.2%
- Brakes66.2%
- Interior & seats44.1%
- Driver assistance44.1%
- Fuel system44.1%
- Steering44.1%
- Exterior lighting33.1%
- Heating & air conditioning33.1%
- Body & structure33.1%
- Suspension22.1%
- Transmission22.1%
- Seat belts11.0%
- Visibility11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AN 8 MILE TRIP TO MY MOTHERS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO TIGHTEN UP A LITTLE BIT THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR THE STEERING WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AND ITS ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I HAD THE POWER STEERING LOOKED AT AND IT IS FINE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOW ON 24/7 BUT THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE AND WAS JUST RECENTLY CHANGED. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PRODUCED BY CADILLAC IT IS NOTHING BUT A DISGRACE TO THE NAME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL COOLER GAVE OUT CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? IF YES, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A CLAIM? *TT
THE CAR KEEPS ON OVER HEATING, THE OIL LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON BECAUSE OF THE OVER HEATING AND ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS WANT TO START I HAVE TO JUMP IT OFF ALOT. IT IS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKED PLENTY OF TIME. BUT WHEN I JUMP IT OFF THE WIRES GET REALLY HOT AND START TO MELT SO I TAKE THEM OFF. ALSO THE DASHBOARD LIGHT DON'T WORK VERY WELL I HAVE TO BANG ON THE DASH BOARD FOR THEM TO EVEN BARLEY COME ON AT NIGHT.. THERE NEED TO BE BIG TIME RECALLS ON THIS CAR!!! *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE "CURTAIN" AIRBAG IN SEAT WENT OFF WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING WITH NO CAUSE OR IMPACT WHILE NOT CLOSE TO ANYTHING IN A PARKING LOT.
I GOT IN MY CAR, 2000 CADILLAC CATERA WHICH WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AT THE SAME TIME REACHING BACK TO GET SEAT BELT AND "BANG" AN EXPLODING SOUND. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BACK EXPLODED, IN A PARKING SPOT. CAUSING, LESIONS, AND CONTUSIONS, ON THE LEFT ARM, AND A SPRAIN WRIST. ALSO, SCRAPE AND BRUISING OF SIDE, RIB AREA. ALSO, MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND HE SUFFERED AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE DUST.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RADIATOR, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION, TIRES..ALL BAD...WORST CAR MAKER IN THIS WORLD (CADILLAC) ALL PARTS HAVE HAD TO BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED. *TR
I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA EVERY SINCE I BOUGH IT, FIRST THE SEAT WOULD NOT HEAT ,PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN,TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR,DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING A PART,GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK BROKEN ,BELT BROKE CAR RAN HOT HAD TO GET A NEW RADIATOR,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURES,THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN OUT, JUNK,AND G M DOES NOTHING TO HELP,WATER PUMP WENT OUT ,HEATER COIL HOSE LEAKING,VAULE COVER GASKET REPLACE , ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE ABS LOCKING. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO MALFUNCTION. THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,232 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT ACCURATE. UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB
I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA EVERY SINCE I BOUGH IT, FIRST THE SEAT WOULD NOT HEAT ,PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN,TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR,DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING A PART,GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK BROKEN ,BELT BROKE CAR RAN HOT HAD TO GET A NEW RADIATOR,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURES,THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN OUT, JUNK,AND G M DOES NOTHING TO HELP,WATER PUMP WENT OUT ,HEATER COIL HOSE LEAKING,VAULE COVER GASKET REPLACE , ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT DOORS FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHILE UNLOCKED. HE MUST CLIMB THROUGH THE BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CADILLAC DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES MUST BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $890. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST OR PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL HAZARD: BOTH OF THE FRONT DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE WHILE UNLOCKED. WE HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE BACKSEAT TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. THE CADILLAC SHOP STATES BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES MUST BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $890. THE CADILLAC SHOP STATES THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND COULD NOT BE PREVENTED BY THE CUSTOMER. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE AND NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT ON THE PHONE WITH CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-790-5700, CADILLAC DETERMINED (AFTER FOUR DAYS WITHOUT A CAR) THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION OR COST ASSISTANCE FOR US. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE SUPERVISOR AND WAS EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO NICK OWENS. HE STATED THAT HE IS THE SUPERVISOR AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION. I REQUESTED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BEGIN A RECALL OR BULLETIN TO REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR LATCHES AND FINANCIALLY ASSIST OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS (FRONT DOOR LATCHES) THAT PRESENT BOTH SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL HAZARDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WOULD DRIVE THE CATERA RIGHT ON THE MAIN BUSY ROAD MY CAR MADE A SUICIDAL STOP! I PANIC! IMMEDIATELY PUT THE EMERGENCY HAZARDOUS LIGHTS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE IS READING THE SENSOR ARE BAD, SO I SPENT OVER $300.00 DOLLARS REPLACING THEM, I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN HIT OR IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC A DIFFERENT PERSON THIS TIME. HE SAID; IT WAS THE MANIFOLD INTAKE, THEY ARE PLASTIC AND THEY CRACK OR BEND WHEN THE CAR ENGINE HEATS, THE MECHANIC AND I LOOKED FOR DIFFERENT JUNKYARDS TO OUR SURPRISE MOST OF THE CADILLAC OF THAT MADE THE VERY PIECE WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAS MISSING. (PLASTIC AIR TAKE AND THE HOSE) IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCK SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH PUTTING A PLASTIC INTAKE INSIDE A ENGINE THAT HOLDS A LOT OF HEAT. SPECIALLY FOR ME I LIVE IN A YEAR AROUND HOT WEATHER. I WENT TO DIFFERENT AUTO PART STORES TO FIND THE PART BECAUSE THE JUNKYARD WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION WHAT I DID FIND ALL THE AUTO PARTS STORE HAD NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR. IT HAS A BAD REPUTATION THIS BEAUTIFUL DREAM CADILLAC CATEREA IS THE BAD APPLES OF THE CADILLAC, IT IS ASHAMED YOU DON'T HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS. IT LOOKS LIKE IT CHEAPER TO STOP MAKING THEM THAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM I SEE THEY ARE STILL OUT IN THE STREET. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ONE. I CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM THEM OR HAVE I REPAIRED THE CAR WITH THEM. BUT IS THIER CAR MODEL. DON'T GET IT. THEY GAVE BIRTH TO DEFECTIVE CARS NOW THEY WANT US TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WOULD DRIVE THE CATERA RIGHT ON THE MAIN BUSY ROAD MY CAR MADE A SUICIDAL STOP! I PANIC! IMMEDIATELY PUT THE EMERGENCY HAZARDOUS LIGHTS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE IS READING THE SENSOR ARE BAD, SO I SPENT OVER $300.00 DOLLARS REPLACING THEM, I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN HIT OR IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC A DIFFERENT PERSON THIS TIME. HE SAID; IT WAS THE MANIFOLD INTAKE, THEY ARE PLASTIC AND THEY CRACK OR BEND WHEN THE CAR ENGINE HEATS, THE MECHANIC AND I LOOKED FOR DIFFERENT JUNKYARDS TO OUR SURPRISE MOST OF THE CADILLAC OF THAT MADE THE VERY PIECE WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAS MISSING. (PLASTIC AIR TAKE AND THE HOSE) IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCK SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH PUTTING A PLASTIC INTAKE INSIDE A ENGINE THAT HOLDS A LOT OF HEAT. SPECIALLY FOR ME I LIVE IN A YEAR AROUND HOT WEATHER. I WENT TO DIFFERENT AUTO PART STORES TO FIND THE PART BECAUSE THE JUNKYARD WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION WHAT I DID FIND ALL THE AUTO PARTS STORE HAD NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR. IT HAS A BAD REPUTATION THIS BEAUTIFUL DREAM CADILLAC CATEREA IS THE BAD APPLES OF THE CADILLAC, IT IS ASHAMED YOU DON'T HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS. IT LOOKS LIKE IT CHEAPER TO STOP MAKING THEM THAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM I SEE THEY ARE STILL OUT IN THE STREET. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ONE. I CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM THEM OR HAVE I REPAIRED THE CAR WITH THEM. BUT IS THIER CAR MODEL. DON'T GET IT. THEY GAVE BIRTH TO DEFECTIVE CARS NOW THEY WANT US TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO THE CAR STALL THE CAR SPUN OUT AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SEVERAL STALLOUTS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SINCE PURCHASED IN 2002. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH NOT STARTING WHEN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH FUEL. AFTER BEING FILLED COMPLETELY, THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKS ANTIFREEZE FROM THE OIL COOLER AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 GALLON PER WEEK. CADILLAC ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AN 8 MILE TRIP TO MY MOTHERS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO TIGHTEN UP A LITTLE BIT THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR THE STEERING WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AND ITS ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I HAD THE POWER STEERING LOOKED AT AND IT IS FINE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOW ON 24/7 BUT THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE AND WAS JUST RECENTLY CHANGED. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PRODUCED BY CADILLAC IT IS NOTHING BUT A DISGRACE TO THE NAME. *TR
CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. SUCH AS STEERING PROBLEMS, QUIVERING ON THE ROAD, BURNING SMELL, ETC. AS OF FEB. 2006, CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES. AT THE TIME THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND THE ENGINE/COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON. VEHICLE CONSTANT IN SHOP FOR REPAIR, APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES A MONTH; CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ME. ENGINE SENSOR WAS CHANGED IN FEB. 2006; HOWEVER, BURNING SMELL CONTINUED, LEAKS BEGAN TO OCCUR,WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AND THE COOLANT LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVATED. A NUMBER OF LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED, AND THEY WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. LIGHT WERE COMING ON AND OFF, "ONSTAR" LIGHT REMAINED ON, AND CD PLAYER/STEREO WOULD STAY ON WITH ENGINE OFF AND NO KEY IN IGNITION WITH DOORS OPEN, AND THE SUNROOF WOULD OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BUTTON. WHEN TAKEN TO SHOP, RESULT WAS THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. AFTER THIS EVENT OCCURRED, CAR CREATED UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN STARTED AND AS ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. NOW CAR WILL NOT START ON ITS OWN, IT NEEDED A BOOST THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE DAY. WHEN TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, MARVIN STARR, REPORTED TO ME TAT CORROSION IS OCCURRING WITH WIRES THAT LEADS TO THE BATTERY. PLASTIC COVERING OF WIRE IS MELTING AND WORN AWAY LEAVING THE BARE WIRE EXPOSED. OVERHEATING IS OCCURRING BUT THE SOURCE IS UNKNOWN. BATTERY, WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2005, HAS NOW STARTED WEARING AWAY. COMPANY WANTS APPROXIMATELY $1000 IN ORDER FOR WIRES TO BE FIXED; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THEY REPAIR IT THE MELTING OF THE WIRES WOULD STILL CONTINUE DUE TO THE OVER HEATING. DANGEROUS DRIVING VEHICLE AT MOMENT; HOWEVER, I NEED TO GET AROUND AND DRIVING IS A MAIN PART OF MY EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2000 CATERA. THE HEAD LIGHTS HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL USED TO SUPPORT THE LAMP HOLDER IN THE LIGHTS DISINTERGRATED OVER A 6 YEAR PERIOD DUE TO SUN HEAT. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE INTERNAL LAMP HOLDERS TO FALL AND PREVENT THE LIGHTS FROM ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*JB
2000 CATERA HAS HAD A POWER FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL DEFECTS, GASKET AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. *TS THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE HOT WATER VALVE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE SIDE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE IGNITION HAD TO BE LUBED. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE HEATING SYSTEM AND THE MOONROOF DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WHEN IT WAS USED IT CAUSED POWER FAILURES.. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA EVERY SINCE I BOUGH IT, FIRST THE SEAT WOULD NOT HEAT ,PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN,TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR,DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING A PART,GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK BROKEN ,BELT BROKE CAR RAN HOT HAD TO GET A NEW RADIATOR,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURES,THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN OUT, JUNK,AND G M DOES NOTHING TO HELP,WATER PUMP WENT OUT ,HEATER COIL HOSE LEAKING,VAULE COVER GASKET REPLACE , ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 CADILLAC CATERA AT 65 MPH NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT, THEN TURNED ON THE SEAT. AFTER ARRIVING AT HER DESTINATION, AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE NOTICED THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE END OF HER COAT WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA EVERY SINCE I BOUGH IT, FIRST THE SEAT WOULD NOT HEAT ,PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN,TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR,DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING A PART,GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK BROKEN ,BELT BROKE CAR RAN HOT HAD TO GET A NEW RADIATOR,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FAILURES,THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN OUT, JUNK,AND G M DOES NOTHING TO HELP,WATER PUMP WENT OUT ,HEATER COIL HOSE LEAKING,VAULE COVER GASKET REPLACE , ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDOW IS ALSO GONE. *MR THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW BLEW OFF OF THE CAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SEAL MAY HAVE COME LOOSE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERE INSIDE TIRE WEAR. CAR IS ON 3RD SET OF FRONT TIRES AT 30,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS ALIGNMENT WILL HELP BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE. CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN PAST 6 MONTHS. ISSUE IS WITH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ACCORDING TO OTHERS BUT GM DENIES IT.
WE HAVE HAD 4 COMPUTERIZED FRONT END ALIGMENTS AND 3 SETS OF TIRES BEFORE 18,611 MILES, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
RADIATOR, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION, TIRES..ALL BAD...WORST CAR MAKER IN THIS WORLD (CADILLAC) ALL PARTS HAVE HAD TO BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED. *TR
EXTREMLY HESITANT SHIFTING. FAILURE TO DOWNSHIFT ON COMMAND. RAPID THROTTLE POSITION CHANGE CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO 'HANG IN LIMBO'(SOMETIMES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS) WHEN QUICK RESPONSE IS REQUIRED. HENCE, VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF TROUBLE SITUATIONS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE SDM MODULE FAILED AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS GAS ERUPTED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2000 CATERA HAS HAD A POWER FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL DEFECTS, GASKET AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. *TS THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE HOT WATER VALVE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE SIDE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE IGNITION HAD TO BE LUBED. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE HEATING SYSTEM AND THE MOONROOF DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WHEN IT WAS USED IT CAUSED POWER FAILURES.. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .