Menu

1997 Cadillac CateraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 163 owner complaints about the 1997 Cadillac Catera, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Catera median · #1 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints16317 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 7, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Cadillac Catera has problems

163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling752
Electrical system242
Suspension210
Service brakes, hydraulic182
Exterior lighting161
Steering142
Visibility121
Air bags116
Tires100
9 other systems415

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Cadillac Catera recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

9 owners mentioned a cost

$5,826median

Middle half: $1,700 – $8,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Catera year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Catera median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Catera owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10262354 · Mar 18, 2009 · 128,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10189683 · May 3, 2007 · 58,600 miles
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…
Complaint 10130643 · Jul 30, 2005 · 88,000 miles

Own a 1997 Catera?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.