Cadillac Catera problems
The Cadillac Catera is a four-door, five passenger, rear-wheel drive luxury sedan marketed from 1996 until 2001 by Cadillac over a single generation in the United States and Canada. As a rebadged variant of the Opel Omega B, the Catera was manufactured by Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and was underpinned by GM's V-body platform. Approximately 95,000 units were built and sold over five model years.
History
The Catera was previewed at the Detroit Auto Show in 1994 as the Cadillac LSE concept, proposed by Cadillac as an entry-level model that would compete with sedans from Acura, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Jaguar, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz.
In 1996, an early-production model was shown at the Detroit, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto auto shows. Cadillac began marketing the Catera in the United States in the fall of 1996 as a 1997 model with a base price of $29,995 (equivalent to $58,300 in 2023).
Some of the standard features on the Catera included a cloth interior, front bucket seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player and eight-speaker sound system, airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, keyless entry, security system, alloy wheels, compact spare tire, and full instrumentation. Optional equipment included leather interior, heated seats, cassette player and CD player combination, Bose premium sound system, power sunroof, Homelink, OnStar, and chrome wheels.
A Sport model was offered beginning in 1999 with eight-way power adjustable seats, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, driver's seat memory, audible theft-deterrent system, three-channel garage door opener, high-intensity discharge headlamps, and a rear spoiler.
The Catera received a facelift in 2000 with revised nose, tail, wheels, interior trim, mirrors, optional HID headlamps, stiffer suspension settings, and side airbags.
The model's engine was a 200 hp (149 kW) L81 54° DOHC V6 manufactured in England at GM's Ellesmere Port facility, using an FR layout. The GM 4L30-E automatic transmission was manufactured at GM's plant in Strasbourg, France.
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Cadillac Catera model years
Common Cadillac Catera problems
The Cadillac Catera, produced from 1997 to 2001, was plagued by a myriad of problems that significantly impacted its reputation and sales.
Another significant problem was engine performance issues due to crankshaft position sensor failure. The crankshaft position sensor is crucial for the engine's proper functioning, as it provides information about the engine's speed and position. When it fails, the engine may experience performance issues, such as difficulty starting, stalling, or misfiring.
The timing belt and water pump were also common sources of problems for the Cadillac Catera. The timing belt is responsible for synchronizing the engine's camshaft and crankshaft, while the water pump circulates coolant to prevent engine overheating. If either of these components fails, it could lead to engine damage or even complete engine failure.
In addition to these mechanical issues, the Cadillac Catera was known for its poor handling and low fuel efficiency. The car's 3,800-pound weight and underpowered 3.0-liter V6 engine made it difficult to handle, especially on winding roads or in tight spaces. Furthermore, the car's fuel efficiency was significantly lower than that of its competitors, making it an unattractive option for many buyers.
The Cadillac Catera's interior was also criticized for its poor quality and outdated design. The car's dashboard and controls were often described as cheap and unintuitive, while the seats were criticized for their lack of comfort and support. Additionally, the car's interior materials were prone to wear and tear, making the car feel dated and unappealing even after a short period of ownership.
Finally, the Cadillac Catera's reputation was further damaged by its poor reliability and high maintenance costs. The car was known for its frequent breakdowns and expensive repair bills, which made it a poor choice for many buyers looking for a reliable and affordable luxury car.
In summary, the Cadillac Catera was plagued by a wide range of problems that significantly impacted its reputation and sales. From mechanical issues such as coolant and oil leaks, engine performance problems due to crankshaft position sensor failure, and timing belt and water pump issues, to poor handling, low fuel efficiency, poor interior quality, and high maintenance costs, the Cadillac Catera was a car that failed to meet the expectations of many buyers.
What engine did the Cadillac Catera have?
| Cadillac Catera | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0 L L81 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed GM 4L30-E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in (2,730 mm) |
What is the top speed of the 1997 Cadillac Catera?
Cadillac also opted to limit the Catera's top speed to 125 mph so they could fit all-season rubber to the standard aluminum wheels. The result is a smoother, softer ride on America's often harsh pavement, and better wet-weather grip, at the expense of dry-weather handling.
What is the top speed of a 1999 Cadillac Catera?
Performance
| Horsepower | 200 @ 6000 RPM |
|---|---|
| Torque | 192 @ 3600 rpm |
| Engine | V6, 3.0 Liter |
| 0 to 60 | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 125 mph |
What does Catera touring sedan mean?
In the Cadillac lineup, “CTS” stands for Catera Touring Sedan. The name is a nod to the Cadillac Catera, a luxury sedan that was sold from 1996 to 2001.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Cadillac Catera years
We have researched Cadillac problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Cadillac Catera cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Cadillac Catera model years:
- Cadillac Catera 1997
- Cadillac Catera 1998
- Cadillac Catera 1999
- Cadillac Catera 2000
- Cadillac Catera 2001
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Cadillac Catera model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Cadillac Catera years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Cadillac Catera car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Cadillac Catera , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Tires problems
- Suspension problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Cadillac Catera vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Catera model years
A total of 27 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Catera model years
There were a total of 9 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Catera model years
There were a total of 24 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 555 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Cadillac Catera . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Cadillac Catera vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2018-08-27
- Date Complaint: 2018-09-08
- VIN: W06VR54RXYR
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-14
- Date Complaint: 2016-06-17
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- VIN: W06VR54R4YR
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2014-04-12
- Date Complaint: 2014-04-16
- VIN: W06VR54R1YR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: OIL COOLER GAVE OUT CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? IF YES, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A CLAIM? *TT
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2014-04-03
- Date Complaint: 2014-04-07
- VIN: W06VRS4R9YR
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
Cadillac Catera 1997
- Date Of Incident: 2014-01-04
- Date Complaint: 2014-01-07
- VIN: W06VR52R1VR
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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
Cadillac Catera 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2012-08-20
- Date Complaint: 2013-11-22
- VIN: W06VR54R01R
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE GASKETS, BELTS AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2012-10-02
- Date Complaint: 2012-10-09
- VIN: W06VR54R0YR
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,300.
Cadillac Catera 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2012-02-14
- Date Complaint: 2012-09-10
- VIN: W06VR52ROXR
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Cadillac Catera 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2011-11-10
- Date Complaint: 2012-09-10
- VIN: W06VR52R0XR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURN OFF FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-13
- Date Complaint: 2012-07-11
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2008-06-03
- Date Complaint: 2012-06-28
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: 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
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2012-03-01
- Date Complaint: 2012-05-29
- VIN: W06VR54R3YR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR IN MOTION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Cadillac Catera 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-30
- Date Complaint: 2012-05-02
- VIN: W06VR52R9XR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS IN HARMS WAY IN THE RAIN AND HAD TO TAKE THE CARE 70 MORE MILES, WHILE I COULD GET OUT OF THE BUFFALO AREA TO A SAFE LOCATION FOR THE NIGHT. THE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OFF TILL THE BATTERY WAS EXHAUSTED. WHEN RECHARGED THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON AGAIN, UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. WHEN I MANAGED TO EXCHANGE A RELAY, THE NEXT PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE PARKING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I DID RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT NHTSA HAS DIRECTED TO BE FIXED WITHOUT COST, DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE GM LINES HAVE NOT ADJUSTED AND STILL OFFER ON SEVERAL VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL VALLEY CADILLAC WHO DECLINED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO DECLINED TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGE. SHE WANTS TO CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE INSTEAD OF MAKING THE PERMANENT CORRECTION OF EXCHANGING THE CORRECT THE DEVICE, PROPERLY ONCE AND FOR ALL. I TOLD HER I WOULD CONTACT NHTSA. I ALSO ASKED HER TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CADILLAC/ GM'S LEGAL AND I AM INFORMING MY LAWYER THAT IF I SHOULD DIE, OPERATING THIS VEHICLE, THAT I MY CHILDREN SHOULD FILE A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AGAINST ALL INVOLVED. THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED A COUPLE OF MONTHS EARLIER, FRIENDLY FRED'S IN ERWIN, NY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CORRECTED ITSELF, UNTIL THIS PAST MONDAY, 4-30-12. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OF THE LAST OCCURRENCE BUT I ALSO HAD A OIL CHANGE WHICH I THINK IS THE LATE FALL OF 2011. I AM A DISABLED PERSON WHO CAN'T BE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS FOR VERY LONG. SINCE YOU, NHTSA HAS ALREADY CALLED FOR ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS TO BE REPLACED, I WANT NHTSA TO PROMPT AND PROVOKE GM'S CADILLAC TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I WORK IN THE ROCHESTER AND BUFFALO AREAS AS THERE IS NO WORK IN CORNING AREA. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS CAR WHICH IS VITAL FOR MY SURVIVAL...UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/25/12 UPDATED 06/19/2012 *JS
Cadillac Catera 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2008-03-13
- Date Complaint: 2012-01-27
- VIN: W06VR52R6WR
- Components: SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: ENGINE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OIL PRESSURE THAT STAY BELOW MINIMUM AT IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMP. FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAIL WITH LESS THEN 90000 MILES. AUTO TRANSMISSION FAIL WITH LESS THEN 90000 MILES. HAVE ENGAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND SHIFTING PROBLEM. *TR
Cadillac Catera 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2011-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2011-09-22
- VIN: W06VR54R2YR
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURING WERE CONTACTED AND WERE EXPECTED THE PERFORM AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,994 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Latest negative Cadillac Catera car reviews
Latest positive Cadillac Catera car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2000
The Catera has been a great car to drive with no problems at all.
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Vehicle year: 2000
I bought this car a year ago with 83k miles on it, and now it has 106k miles. She's never let me down, and I only had to replace the radiator when I first got it. Other than that, she has been very dependable.
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Vehicle year: 2000
This car has been an absolute dream to have! I've been through a lot of cars, but this one definitely takes the cake. I get a lot of offers from people wanting to buy it, and it handles the road like a dream. It's definitely an eye-catcher, and I've never seen a Catera like mine before. Before purchasing this car, a Catera was the last thing on my mind to drive. However, when the salesman showed me the car and I test drove it, I was in heaven! It had 62,000 miles on it in April of 2008, which sweetened the whole deal. It's an authentic Cadillac rag top, maroon with 17
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Vehicle year: 1999
Your 3 year lease is up this month. It sounds like you really enjoyed driving the Catera, which provided a sporty drive from a solid car. During the lease, you drove 35,000 miles and the warranty covered everything except oil changes and tire rotations. It's great to hear that the tire that went bad was replaced at no cost. While you found the Catera to be better than the 300 series BMW, it didn't quite live up to the 500 series. It's understandable that you enjoyed the drive, but are not willing to pay the price GM is now asking to buy the car.
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Vehicle year: 1998
Hi there! I noticed that you mentioned having a bit of trouble with a coolant leak in your used vehicle. Other than that, it sounds like you're enjoying the ride! It's great to hear that the car has good pickup in traffic and is fun to drive. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Are you having problems with your Cadillac Catera?
Everardo Hegmann 2025-08-24
Vehicle year: 1999
I'm really not enjoying my car at the moment. It seems to have a lot of problems that I didn't anticipate when I bought it back in 2004 for $4000. Unfortunately, the repair costs are starting to add up and I'm finding myself spending more and more money on it. The air conditioning doesn't work at all, and it's leaking antifreeze which means I have to top it up every weekend. The radio also turns off and doesn't come back on, and the check engine light is always on. On top of that, the water pump is bad and the cooling system doesn't work properly, which means the fans don't kick in on time to cool the engine. The gas mileage is also pretty bad in town, only getting around 190-210 miles to a tank, and only around 365 miles on the interstate going 65-70. To make matters worse, the tires only last around 10k miles. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone. Trust me, you don't want to end up burning a hole in your wallet trying to fix it.
Lloyd Lindgren 2025-08-18
Vehicle year: 1997
Hey there! I remember buying a new 97 Catera back in late 1997, thinking I was getting a great deal with discounts and rebates. While the Catera had its virtues, such as great handling, a fun sport suspension setting, and pretty comfortable seats, I did overlook the bland styling. Unfortunately, the car began falling apart within weeks of purchase. First, the gas tank had to be removed to fix a broken sensor, and soon after, a gasket blew. Then, the fuel pump died. The most persistent problem was with the door locks, which malfunctioned often and prevented the doors from closing. I had to make many return visits to Lindsay Cadillac service (VA), which was not the best experience. All of this happened within about 16 months of purchase. Despite all of this, I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your own car purchase!
Clair Marks 2025-08-18
Vehicle year: 1998
I purchased this car from a dealer as a certified used vehicle with 42,000 miles. Unfortunately, the service engine light and other indicator lights kept turning on and off for no apparent reason. Eventually, at 80,000 miles, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, resulting in a loss of approximately $4,500.00 in repairs. As a result, I had to park the car and use it as a lawn ornament. While the engine and cooling system were not up to par, the Bose radio was a great feature. I would advise anyone to steer clear of this car, even if it is offered for free, as it requires constant fixing and repair.
Deshawn Funk 2025-08-09
Vehicle year: 2000
After nearly twenty trips to the dealer for repairs, my Catera's rear windows still won't stay up, and it has constant engine sensor problems...the list goes on. I have been told by other owners as well as several technicians that there are lots of problems with this model. However, I would like to suggest that you consider other options before purchasing this model.
Amani Gorczany 2025-08-07
Vehicle year: 1997
When I take my Catera for a spin, it looks and drives great! Although, it seems to enjoy visiting the mechanic quite often. It's strange how the oddest things seem to go wrong almost every week. I would have expected better from a car with such a reputation for quality engineering from both Cadillac and Germany!