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1999 Cadillac CateraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 80 owner complaints about the 1999 Cadillac Catera, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Catera median · #3 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints8013 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 10, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Cadillac Catera has problems

80 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 cooling302
Tires120
Electrical system120
Steering111
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Vehicle speed control72
Suspension60
Power train60
Fuel system, gasoline51
9 other systems264

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

0 recalls

1999 Cadillac Catera recalls and how many were fixed

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

Best & worst years

1999 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.

I PURCHASED A 99 CATERA ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND SENSE THEN THIS CAR IS A CARDBOARD BOX ON WHEELS. THE ALARM SYSTEM AS GONE LOOPY IN THE SENSE THAT I COULDN'T START MY VEHICLE UNLESS I CRANKED IT ONCE LEFT IT FOR 15-30 MIN AND THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN. AFTER DISABLING THE ALARM SYSTEM IT WOULD ONLY…
Complaint 10247392 · Oct 31, 2008 · 60,000 miles
1999 CADILLAC CATERA WITH 34,000 ORIGINAL MILES COMPLETLY FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY. YOU LOSE ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING. *TR
Complaint 10229428 · Jun 1, 2008 · 34,000 miles
OUR 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ENGINE SHELLED OUT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BEARING ASSEMBLY THAT GENERAL MOTORS ELECTED TO INSTALL ON THE 3.0 V-6 ENGINE FOR THIS CAR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE DEFECTIVE BEARINGS FREEZE UP AT HIGHWAY…
Complaint 10223648 · Apr 7, 2008 · 116,000 miles

Own a 1999 Catera?

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