1997 CADILLAC CATERA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

269

Owner Complaints

16 Crashes 5 Fires

0

Recalls

NO ACTIVE RECALLS

17

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

The 1997 CADILLAC CATERA has received a total of 269 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (33 complaints), Suspensionfront (17 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (16 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

269 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 33
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 17
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 16 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 8 1 Fire
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 8
Tires
Complaints: 8
Electrical System
Complaints: 7
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 7
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 7
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 7 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 7
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 7 3 Crashes 4 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 6
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 6
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Air Bags
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 4 4 Crashes 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 4
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 4
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 4
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 3
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 2
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingfog Lights
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
Complaints: 2
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 2
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
Complaints: 1
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesarmidler And Attachment
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
Complaints: 1
Suspensionmultiple Axle
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10558736 | STEERING | | 82,300 miles
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
#10262354 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 128,000 miles
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
#10189683 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | | 58,600 miles Fire
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
#10161420 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | | N/A miles
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
#10145296 | STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID | | 45,000 miles 1 Injury
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

View all Engine And Engine Coolingengine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

General Motors, LLC has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

050604018 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

REVISED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0335. *TT

10112002 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAM DRIVE IDLER TENSIONER PULLEY AND WATER PUMP. *EH

02041A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CAM DRIVE IDLER AND TENSIONER PULLEYS AND WATER PUMP. *TT

02041 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAM DRIVE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEYS AND TENSIONER PULLEY, AND WATER PUMP MAY FAIL. *TT

02018 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT BULLETIN REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING FAILURES OF THE CAM DRIVE TIMING BELT, IDLER AND TENSIONER PULLEYS AND / OR WATER PUMP. *TT

010602004 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUBJECT ON REGARDING: REVISED THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. *ET

010235005 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

EXPERIENCING A SQUEAK TYPE NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT

010900 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT REGARDING RUPTURED AIR HOSE REPLACEMENT. *TT

00042A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE RUBBER HUB AND METAL RIM OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY MAY FAIL. *TT

00042 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE RUBBER HUB AND METAL RIM OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY (TORSIONAL DAMPNER) MAY FAIL. *TT

Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CADILLAC CATERA

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Other CADILLAC Models

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