1998 CADILLAC CATERA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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

THE WATER PUMP GAVE OUT. *TR

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 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON, IN 30-45 SECONDS THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING, EARLIER IN THE DAY I HEARD A KNOCK AND THOUGHT I RAN OVER SOMETHING AS ALL GAUGES INDICATED EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING NORMAL. HAD AAA TOW IT TO MY HOME AND NEXT DAY (WED.) TO THE CADDY DEALER. THEY CHARGE ME $109 TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM, THEN TELL ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE! IT WILL COST ANOTHER $600 LABOR FOR 5 HOURS OF INSPECTION TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND DEPENDING WHAT THEY FIND $$$$$$ TO FIX, DAAAAA! I CALL THE SERVICE MANAGER HE TELLS ME HE'LL CHECK IT OUT AND CALL ME BACK. OK SO NOW HE CALLS ME AND TELL ME THE REP MISS-QUOTED WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. NOW IT'S THE TENSION PULLEY THAT FAILED CASING THE TIMING BELT TO SNAP, TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SET IS $699 + LABOR AND SUGGESTED I INVEST ANOTHER $150 TO CHANGE THE COOLANT PUMP AS IT'S SHOWING SIGNS OF LEAKAGE AT THE SAME TIME SO IT DOESN'T RUN ME ADDITIONAL COSTS LATER AS IT'S IN THE SAME PART OF THE ENGINE AS THE PULLEY AND BELT. GRAND TOTAL OF $1207 + TAX. "BUT" DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THEY REPLACE THE TENSIONER PULLEY & TIMING BELT THERE MIGHT BE ADDITIONAL COST IF THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START. OK SO I TELL HIM TO GO AHEAD. I DECIDED TO GOGGLE THE PROBLEM TO SEE WHAT IT IS I AM PAYING FOR, HELLLLLLO! WHAT DO I FIND BUT A MAJOR RECALL BACK IN 9/2002 ON THE TENSIONER PULLEY FAILURE CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO SNAP!!!!!!!!! & THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLANT PUMP. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OR ADVISED OF THIS RECALL. THEY NEVER TOLD ME ANYTHING EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I ONLY HAVE ONLY 20,654 MILES ON THE CAR, AS IT'S MY 2ND VEHICLE AND USE IT LOCALLY FOR SHOPPING. NORMAL REPLACEMENT FOR THE TIMING BELT & TENSIONER PULLEY IS 70K MI. *TR

Mileage: 20,654

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. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS, THEY FOUND THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WILL RE-EXAMINE THE VEHICLE IN A THREE PART ORDER AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE RECALL WAS FOR SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING PLANTS; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 08/04/09. *LJ THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT CLEAN THE WINDOW, THE VEHICLE HAD 4 BATTERIES, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED

Mileage: 20,000

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. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS, THEY FOUND THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WILL RE-EXAMINE THE VEHICLE IN A THREE PART ORDER AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE RECALL WAS FOR SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING PLANTS; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 08/04/09. *LJ THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT CLEAN THE WINDOW, THE VEHICLE HAD 4 BATTERIES, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED

Mileage: 20,000

THE MOTOR IN THE CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT AND SLOWING DOWN WHEN I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NEVER A KNOCKING SOUND. THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. FROM READING ABOUT THIS CAR ONLINE IT SOUNDS LIKE A TIMING ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD HE DID NOT WANT TO WORK ON THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE JOB. FROM WHAT IM TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF THESE CARS AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED!! WHY NOT! *TR

Mileage: 136,000

1998 CAD. CATERA - NO INCIDENT STARTED THE PROBLEMS - A MECHANIC KNEW IT HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET BEFORE OPENING THE HOOD OR BEING TOLD WHY I WAS THERE BECAUSE HE SAID 9 OUT OF 10 CATERAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS LISTS THIS YEAR AND MODEL AS A MUST TO AVOID CAR. AT 60K MILES HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, OIL HAD GONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM, CAR OVERHEATS, THE HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT HAS TO BE FLUSHED REGULARLY, NOW AT 80K MILES, THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE BEARINGS AND BRAKES ARE FAILING, THE OIL CANNOT BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE PAN WILL BREAK BECAUSE THE CAP IS WELDED ON BECAUSE OF THE HEAT IN THE ENGINE. WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL. THIS IS TOO YOUNG A CAR TO BE FAILING LIKE THIS. I WOULD LIKE COMPENSATION! *TR

Mileage: 60,000

A/C COMPRESSOR LEAKING AND A/C COMPRESSOR NOT CYCLING AND LEAKING FROM THE CHASE VALVE SYSTEM. COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE HEATER COOLANT VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SENSOR WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED. UPDATED.

Mileage: 14,145

I'M REPAIRING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES, 100000 TOTAL MILES. THESE CARS WERE LEMONS! CADILLAC KNOWS IT, BUT DOES NOT FEEL THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF CATERA OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE EXPENSE OF REPEATED REPAIRS, TOTALING $10,000 WITH TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR, TIMING BELTS, COOLING SYSTEMS, WATER PUMPS,AND OH YEAH...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! AND ANY ADVICE BESIDES THE OBVIOUS. *AK

Mileage: 38,000

WHILE I WAS MAKING A WIDE TURN, THE TIMING BELT OF MY 1998 CATERA BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE HEAD OF MY CAR. THE PULLEY WAS BENT IN THE PROCESS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CATERA. NOW THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. IT WILL COST $5000.00. *NM

Mileage: 11,900

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED INTO AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE BELT SEPARATION, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 118,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED INTO AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE BELT SEPARATION, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 118,000

FAULTY HEAD GASKET FAULTY WARNING LIGHTS. *JB

Mileage: 153,737

CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 2005 AND THE CAR ONLY HAS OR AROUND 65,000 MILES ON IT, WHEN PURCHASED ONLY HAD 23,000, I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR TO WORK AND BACK, AND TOO RUN ERRANDS. WHY AM I HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT, I CAN'T EVEN GET A DEALER TO TAKE IT AS TRADE IN. *JB

Mileage: 59,000

I WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A COMPLAINT ON RECORD ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THE CADILLAC CATERA. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN BOUGHT BACK BY GM TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FROM THEIR POOR QUALITY. I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC CATERA ,WELL CARED FOR. OVER THE PAST YEAR THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO LEAK OIL HEAVILY,TO THE POINT OF ACTUALLY BEING AN ENVIROMENTAL HAZARD. THE OTHER DAY I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE CAR HAS LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKETS,CAM COVER GASKETS AND AN OIL COOLING LINE. THEY SAY $1200 WILL SEAL UP MOST OF THE LEAKS. THE CAR ONLY HAS AN ORIGINAL 65,000 MILES ON IT. UPON HEARING THIS I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH ON CATERAS AND THE HORROR STORIES ARE ENDLESS. IT SEEMS THEY ALL INCLUDING MINE HAVE BROKEN HEADLIGHT ALIGNERS. THIS IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY HEAT AND CHEAP MANUFACTURING. THIS OFF COURSE MAKES THE HEADLIGHTS IMPOSSIBLE TO ALIGN AND AIM.IT ALSO SEEMS THAT ALL CATERAS WEAR OUT TIRES IN A VERY RAPID TIME FRAME DUE TO POOR FRONT END DESIGN. MY 1998 HAS ALL THESE PROBLEMS PLUS ALL FOUR RADIO SPEAKERS HAVE BLOWN ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NEVER PLAYED LOUDLY. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE HEAVILY YELLOWED OVER THUS REDUCING GREATLY THE HEADLIGHT POWER. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU REVIEW ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CATERAS AS THEY COULD EASILY RELATE TO THE ALL TO COMMON HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM ON THESE CARS NOT TO MENTION THE OIL BLOW BY FROM THE ENGINE ONTO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE HELP GET THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD.

Mileage: 59,000

CADILLAC CATER 1998 EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURE THAT CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *BF THE TRUNK LIGHT BULBS FAILED. THE TRUNK LIGHT BAR FAILED. THE KEY FOB FAILED. THE CD PLAYER FAILED. THE WINDOW WASHER HOSE FAILED. THE SWITCH FOR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM GEAR OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THE FRONT AND REAR END HAD TO BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CENTER LINK WAS ALSO REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 67,000

PURCHASED 1998 CADILLAC CATERA 2/06/04. 64,546 MILES. WATER PUMP FAILED AS WE ARRIVED HOME WITH VEHICLE. SELLING DEALER SENT VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER, CAPITAL CADILLAC FOR REPAIRS. WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. *AK WHEN WATER PUMP FAILED IT DAMAGED THE MAIN BELT AND CAUSED IT TO COME OFF DISABELING POWER STEERING AND OTHER EQUIPMENT POWERED BY BELT. ENGINE BRIEFLY OVERHEATED WHILE STOPPING. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP ON CAMPAIGN 02041 AND SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE - CAMPAIGN 01037. THE FAILURE DOES NOT MENTION 02018. CAR HAS LEAKED COOLANT EVERY SINCE THE DEALER RETURNED THE CAR TO US. THE WATER PUMP DAMAGED THE ENGINE. WE WANT CADILLAC TO REPAIR OR REPLACE IT. CADILLAC CS WILL NOT COMMUNICATE IN WRITING, STATING THEY ONLY DISCUSS ORALLY. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST OR GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO SIMILIAR PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 64,594

ON JULY 24, 2004 WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE ON I-81, I COULD FEEL THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE IN THE VEHICLE,THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE IDIOT LIGHTS OR THE GAUGES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DISTRESS. AS I GOT TO THE RIGHT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE RADIATOR LIGHT CAME ON, I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND FINISHED THE REPAIR OF THE WATER PUMP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE IDIOT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CADILLAC FOR REPAIR THE NEXT DAY. THEY TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE GONE AND IT WOULD BE $ 1800.00 FOR THE LEFT ONE AND $1900.00 FOR THE RIGHT ONE IN ADDITION TO THE GASKET AND THE LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. I FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE WATER PUMP ND 2 OTHER PULLEYS. THE RECORD SHOWED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY KRISTAL CADILLAC THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. THEY NEVER INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR ANY REASON WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. MY TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR REPAIR $2314.38. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK ON AUGUST 6, 2004. THE CAR NOW BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE TOWED INTO KRISTAL CADILLAC. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS AND HAVE STILL NOT LOOKED AT IT FURTHERMORE THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOW AN IGNITION PROBLEM AND NOT AN ENGINE/WATER PUMP PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM ANY LIABILITY IN THIS ISSUE WITH THIS FALSE DIAGNOSTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO THE RECALL AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY GM TOTALLY. *JB

Mileage: 29,279

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKE AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE OWNERS MANUAL INDICATED THAT THIS PART SHOULDN'T BEEN REPLACED UNTIL 60,000 MILES AND REPLACEMENT IS ONLY REQUIRED IF THE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN ONE OR MORE EXTREME COLD START. WHICH HADN'T OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM *SC *JB

Mileage: 49,000

WATER KEEPS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO AND NOW THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING COOLANT. *AK

Mileage: 105,000

LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN THEY TOLD US IT HAD TO BE THE COIL PACK. WE SPENT OVER $300 ON THAT. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE CAR IN BACK AT THE CADILLAC DEALER'S SHOP YESTERDAY AND TODAY. SO FAR THEY CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. A CO-WORKER OF MY WIFE'S AT THE GEORGIA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY DEPARTMENT OWNES A CATERA. SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE SPENT OVER $9,000 ON THEIR CATERA IN THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR REPAIRS. THEY CANNOT KEEP TIRES ON THE CAR. THE CO-WORKER SAID THEY HAD THE SAME COLD START PROBLEM WITH THEIR CATERA. IT COST OVER $500 FOR A STARTER SWITCH PART. IT APPEARS CADILLAC THREW THE CAR TOGETHER FROM AN ENGINE FROM ENGLAND, A TRANSMISSION FROM FRANCE AND ASSEMBLED THE CAR IN GERMANY. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR FOR CONSUMMERS TO HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR CADILLAC'S NEGLEGENCY IN NOT PROPERLY TESTING THE CAR PRIOR TO MARKETING. THIS IS NOTHING SHORT OF CONSUMMER FRAUD. WE HAVE OWNED TWO CADILLAC SEVILLES, A DEVILLE, AND A SMALL CADILLAC BACK IN THE 80'S. WE PRESENTLY DRIVE A SEVILLE. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH CADILLAC PRODUCTS UNTIL THIS CATERA. IT IS NOT CADILLAC QUALITY AND APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MARKETED WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING OF MECHANICS IN THE FIELD IN SPITE OF GM'S CONSTANT ADVERTISEMENTS ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE OF "MR. GOOD WRENCH." CADILLAC SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE CATERA DESIGN.

Mileage: 64,600

LIKE ALL CADILLAC CATERA OWNERS WE KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE ENDLESS MAJOR REPAIR BILLS ON THE CATERA (98 MODEL). THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE WATER PUMP WAS ON RECALL. CADILLAC REPLACED THE PUMP BUT CHARGED FOR BELTS AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILURE. WE HAVE SPEND OVER $1,900 TRYING TO SOLVE A MORNING COLD START SKIPPING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE AND CHARGED $953. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN A REPAIR SHOP CHARGED OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THEN THEY TOLD US IT HAD TO BE THE COIL PACK. WE SPENT OVER $300 ON THAT. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE CAR IN BACK AT THE CADILLAC DEALER'S SHOP YESTERDAY AND TODAY. SO FAR THEY CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. A CO-WORKER OF MY WIFE'S AT THE GEORGIA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY DEPARTMENT OWNES A CATERA. SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE SPENT OVER $9,000 ON THEIR CATERA IN THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR REPAIRS. THEY CANNOT KEEP TIRES ON THE CAR. THE CO-WORKER SAID THEY HAD THE SAME COLD START PROBLEM WITH THEIR CATERA. IT COST OVER $500 FOR A STARTER SWITCH PART. IT APPEARS CADILLAC THREW THE CAR TOGETHER FROM AN ENGINE FROM ENGLAND, A TRANSMISSION FROM FRANCE AND ASSEMBLED THE CAR IN GERMANY. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR FOR CONSUMMERS TO HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR CADILLAC'S NEGLEGENCY IN NOT PROPERLY TESTING THE CAR PRIOR TO MARKETING. THIS IS NOTHING SHORT OF CONSUMMER FRAUD. WE HAVE OWNED TWO CADILLAC SEVILLES, A DEVILLE, AND A SMALL CADILLAC BACK IN THE 80'S. WE PRESENTLY DRIVE A SEVILLE. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH CADILLAC PRODUCTS UNTIL THIS CATERA. IT IS NOT CADILLAC QUALITY AND APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MARKETED WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING OF MECHANICS IN THE FIELD IN SPITE OF GM'S CONSTANT ADVERTISEMENTS ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE OF "MR. GOOD WRENCH." CADILLAC SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE CATERA DESIGN.

Mileage: 64,600

I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADILLAC WHEN I HAD PROBLES A MONTH AGO BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?*AK

CAR RAN HOT. TOWED BACK TO DEALER. DEALER STATED CADILLAC HAD A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP. CADILLAC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. DEALER PAID FOR BELT, ETC. AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $190. LESS THAN A MONTH FOLLOWING THE WATER PUMP FAILURE, THE COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING. CADILLAC DEALER CHARGED $950 TO REPLACE HEATER VALUE AND A FEW HOSES. 1 WEEK LATER, CAR LEAKED AGAIN. RETURNED TO CADILLAC DEALER. DEALER KEPT CAR FOR TWO DAYS, RE-SEATED A WATER HOSE. 1 WEEK LATER, CAR BEGAN SKIPPING. NOW CADILLAC DEALER WANTS TO REMOVE HOSES, ETC. TO GET TO ELEC SPARK PLUG. NO ESTIMATE OF COST YET. I BELIEVE ALL OF THIS IS RELATED TO THE FAULTY WATER PUMP WHICH I UNDERSTAND CADILLAC HAD ON RECALL BUT I DO NOT FIND THE RECALL ON YOUR SITE.

Mileage: 64,590

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE TIMING, BUT THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED. *JB *NM

Mileage: 47,000

SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR

Mileage: 60,000

SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR

Mileage: 60,000

ENGINE COOLING FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Mileage: 54,000

BOUGHT THIS 98 CATERA NEW. TO BE SAFE FROM BLOWOUTS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES; BASICALLY, INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR. GM MAINTAINS THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW AT 67,000 MILES TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF ENGINE DAMAGE ! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS GM PRODUCT AND NOTE THE LAUDED 'CADILLAC SERVICE'' IS CLEARLY FALSE ADVERTISING. IN GOOD FAITH WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL THIS CAR. IS THIS GOVERNMENT SITE OF ANY REAL USE ? CLEARLY THE TIRE WEAR SAFETY PROBLEM AND EXPENSIVE IDLER/TENSIONER FAN BELT/TIMING BELT PROBLEMS DESERVE SOME CONSUMER PROTECTION! *LA

Mileage: 67,000

THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 30 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. TOO MANY TO LIST. NOW THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MINNESOTA. *LA

NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH 1998 CATERA. HAD TIMING BELT TENSIONER-PULLEYS/CAM DRIVE REPLACED LAST YEAR(3-2002) WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" WAS ISSUED BY CADILLAC IN SEPT 2002 FOR CATERA'S TO HAVE CAME DRIVE IDLER/TENSIONER PULLEY/WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH NEW VERSION. GOT VEHICLE SERVICED TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT CAR HAD ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED-OUT OF POCKET-COOLANT CROSSOVER LEAKING INTO OIL COOLER, AND VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL.....THE CAR RUNS EXTREMELY HOT, HAS POOR PERFORMANCE, GETS TERRIBLE GAS MILLAGE, BATTERY HAS LOW VOLTAGE WHEN NOTHING IS LEFT ON BY MISTAKE, REPLACED THE BATTERY 4 TIME IN TWO YEARS, A/C HAD NEW COMPRESSOR REPLACED PAST SUMMER 2002 STILL NOT ABLE TO COOL CAR AND WHILE IN USE THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR, BOGGS DOWN THE PERFROMANCE. HAD TO HAVE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED (COST OVER 800.00) AT 34,000, PURCHASED 4 SETS OF MICHELLAN MXV4 TIRES IN LAST 2 YEARS-INSIDE TREAD SEPERATION ON FRONT TIRES CAUSED BLOW OUT TWICE.

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND IS HARD TO START BACK UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TEN TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOCKED UP. DEALER DIAGNOSED, TO FIXED IT WILL COST OVER $10,000 SINCE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T PRODUCE ANY MORE THIS ENGINE. *AK

THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLES ENGINE TREMBLED BECAUSE WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. PH *NLM

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO OIL POSSIBLY DUE TO A BAD OIL COOLER IN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. AFTER A WHILE, SOMETIME IN MARCH OF 2003 THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED AND COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO OIL AGAIN. IT ALSO SEEMED THAT SOMEBODY REPLACED THE OIL COOLER EVEN BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY A FORTUNE TO REPAIR IT THE FIRST TIME AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP AGAIN AND I WILL SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH CADILLAC, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC OR POSSIBLY EVEN GM AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH THIS CAR. THIS WAS MY FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT WITH AMERICAN NAME CAR.*JB

Mileage: 28,000

COOLANT LEAKING CAUSE ENGINE HEAD NEEDS REPLACING. *NLM

Mileage: 60,765

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE, THE MANUFACTURER HAD A PROGRAM TO REPAIR 1998 CATERA'S BUT SINCE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGED TITLE THE DEALERSHIP WAS RELEASED FROM ANY RESPONSIBLITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO COST.*AK *NLM

CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER WARNING HIM THAT CAMSHAFT/TIMING BELT IDLER ,AND PULLEY COULD FAIL, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS AND SURGES, INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND CRANK SENSOR AS THE PROBLEMS. *YD

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE CUT OFF. MECHANIC STATED THAT TIMING BELT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION.*AK

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED AT 51,000 MILES (WARRANTY ENDS AT 50,000 MILES) CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VALVES AND GEARS. REQUIRES NEW VALVES, TENSIONER, HEAD GASKET, BELT, ETC. SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO THE CATERA. HE SAID THAT TENSIONER SYSTEM IS UNIQUE TO CATERA. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A FAULTY SYSTEM. OTHER CADILLAC MODELS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME TIMING BELT SYSTEM. QUOTED REPAIR COST IS $4,800. THIS IS NOT JUST A TIMING BELT PROBLEM, WHICH IS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. MOST CAR OWNERS EXPECT TO REPAIR TIMING BELTS SOME TIME DURING THEIR OWNERSHIP, IF THEY KEEP THE VEHICLES LONG ENOUGH. HOWEVER, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A $40,000 VEHICLE. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT EXPECT SUCH A COSTLY PROBLEM TO OCCUR ON THIS CAR FOR A VERY LONG TIME, IF EVER. HOPEFULLY, ONCE REPAIRED, THIS WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. MOST CONSUMERS CAN NOT AFFORD AN UNEXPECTED $4,800 REPAIR BILL ONCE, LET ALONE EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THE TENSIONER MUST BE FAULTY OR HAVE A FAULTY DESIGN. THE EDMUNDS WEBSITE SHOWS MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. WHY HAVEN'T THEY MADE SOME PROVISION FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM?*AK

TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY BEARING IS PREMATURELY FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE VALVE TRAIN. IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN THE CUSTOMER HAVING TO PAY A REPAIR BILL OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF THE DEFECT IS FOUND SOON ENOUGH IT STILL COSTS THE CUSOMER OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CADILLAC THE TIMING BELT WAS SUPPOSE TO LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES AND NOW I HEAR THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY (P/N9120501) WITHIN 60K. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH IS SOME CARS HAVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE 60K. THE WARRANTY ON THE REPLACEMENT PARTS IS 12 MONTHS/12K. THERE ARE ALSO NO PROCEDURES TO ASSIST THE CUSTOMER IN REDUCING THE COSTS OF THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE EDMUNDS WEBSITE LIST MANY CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE ALL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AS FAR AS I KNOW ALL YEARS OF THIS MODEL CAN EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE PRONE TO FAIL AT THE SAME RATE AS THE ORIGINAL PARTS SINCE THE DESIGN HASN'T BEEN IMPROVED. *AK

WATER VALVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND REFILLED SYSTEM, OIL COOLER LINE LEAKING, DEALER RESEALED HOUSING AND REPLACED COOLANT BRIDGE OIL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTED . NLM

WATER VALVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND REFILLED SYSTEM, OIL COOLER LINE LEAKING, DEALER RESEALED HOUSING AND REPLACED COOLANT BRIDGE OIL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTED . NLM

WATER VALVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND REFILLED SYSTEM, OIL COOLER LINE LEAKING, DEALER RESEALED HOUSING AND REPLACED COOLANT BRIDGE OIL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTED . NLM

WATER VALVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND REFILLED SYSTEM, OIL COOLER LINE LEAKING, DEALER RESEALED HOUSING AND REPLACED COOLANT BRIDGE OIL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTED . NLM

BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY 7/05/000; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR STALLS7/31/00; VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT TIRES, REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE TIRE RODS. I ASK FOR A REA SUSP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT NECESSARY AND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO IT THAT DAY. RIGHT FRONT HEADLAMP OUT 3/01/01; LEFT HEAD LIGHT OUT 4/13/01;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, SUNROOF OPENS WHILE DRIVING W/O TURNING DIAL,5/24/01; REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING REPLACE KEY , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, 6/21/01; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON , SLOW PICKUP, REAR SUS. ROUGH RIDE HELP-RECALL EMISSION 7/26/01; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONTACT DEALER ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TO ADJUST THE KNOB ON THE GAS TANK BY TURNING IT SEVERAL TIMES. 8/6/01; CAR WILL NOT START BATTERY DEAD, SUNROOF NOT WORKING. CONTACT TOW SERVICE THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. TOW SERVICE BOOST CAR BATTERY AND LEFT. SUNROOF REFUSE TO OPERATE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 8/13/01-CAR PARKED GOING ON VACATION; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON RETURN FROM VACATION 8/23/01-HELP- DOING THE FIRST YEAR OF 1999 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BREAKS THOSES DOCUMENTS WERE DESTROYED IN A HOUSE FIRE. MY HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 11/24/99.*AK (TIRESIZE: 14RHS)

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3 TIMES; FIRST TIME AT 40 MPH VEHICLE SPUTTERED/ STALLED SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AND THEN STARTED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE, TOLD CONSUMER HE COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE TALKED WITH A PERSON A COLE VALLEY AND HE SAID THAT MY CAR AND OTHER LIKE MINE HAD THE SAME THING GO WRONG WITH IT IN ONE CASE SOME ONE HAD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE FOR A 1997 AND A 1998 DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE HE'S TALKING ABOUT BUT MY GUESS ITS UP THERE . *AK (TIRESIZE: 23540ZR18)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23540ZR18 )

A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE: FOG LIGHTS BURNED OUT FAST/ RADIATOR LIGHTS CAME ON/STEERING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED, AND TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED A FEW TIMES. TREAD SEPARATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE TRYING TO REMEDY PROBLEM. CONSUMER WANTED DEALER/MANUFACTURWER TO BUY BACK VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DIED DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING BELT. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY.*AK

CONTACTED DEALER IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGIINE PROBLEM-WAS NOT ADVISED OF ANY IMMINENT DANGER-LOST POWER STEERING-CAR OVERHEATED & ENGINE FAILURE, BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAL INTERMITTENTLY, STEERING PULLS TO SIDE. *AK

THE LEVELING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

THE LEVELING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

THE LEVELING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WEEK. YH

THE DRIVE BELT SHREDDED CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO JAM RESULTING IN DAMAGE THE VALVE HEAD. YH

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT IT WOULD FAIL TO RESTART AGAIN. WOULD HAVE TOW VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, 8 TIMES SO FAR. MECHANIC WOULD REPROGRAM KEY; REPLACED BATTERY/FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. GMC EPURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER, 1999 FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE LESS $400.OO *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

O-RING LEAKING.

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED.

HEAD GASKET LEAKING.

ENGINE FAILED.

TEMPERATURE GUAGE FAILED. YH

ENGINE BELT FAILED, CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. YH

CAR STALLED AND NEVER DISCOVERED PROBLEM. YH