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1998 Cadillac CateraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 123 owner complaints about the 1998 Cadillac Catera, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the Catera median · #2 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints12311 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 27, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Cadillac Catera has problems

123 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 cooling561
Suspension220
Tires192
Electrical system171
Service brakes, hydraulic131
Power train90
Air bags94
Steering80
Visibility80
13 other systems516

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

0 recalls

1998 Cadillac Catera recalls and how many were fixed

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

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

60kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 25 engine and engine cooling complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 32% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles21under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 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.

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
Complaint 10445554 · Jan 27, 2012
THE TENSIONER PULLEY & TIMING BELT WAS A KNOW DEFECT FOR VEHICLE AND WAS RECALLED BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, AT THE TIME OF FAILURE I LOST ALL POWER & CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON AN DECLINE IN A HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATION IN A SERVER RAIN STORM. VEHICLE IS NOW DOA AND GM REFUSES TO REMEDY TUES EVENING 6/23…
Complaint 10275593 · Jul 2, 2009 · 20,654 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TENSION TIMING BELT PULLEY FAILED. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $1,200.…
Complaint 10275050 · Jun 26, 2009 · 20,000 miles

Own a 1998 Catera?

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