78 of the 269 complaints about the 1997 Cadillac Catera are about the engine — 29% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 65,074 miles.
78
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10262354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10189683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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 CADILLAC HAS NOT NOTIFIED PEOPLE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CATERAS OF THEM NOT STARTING.
NHTSA complaint #10130643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND PERFORMANCE IS STILL UNSATISFACTORY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE REAR TAIL PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10105316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
-MY 97 CADILAC CATERA STALLED 7/3/04 . -7/6/04 CALLED TRENOR MOTOR COMPANY (SPRINGFIELD, OH). SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO LOOK AT CAR. -7/7/04 IT APPEARED AS THOUGH A RECALL ON THE TENSIONER PULLEY HAD NOT BEEN DONE. PULLED RECORD ON CAR AND FOUND THAT THE RECALL INVOLVING THE TENSIONER PULLEY WORK WAS IN FACT ISSUED (AND PAID FOR) BY GENERAL MOTORS TO TRENOR.-7/17/04 DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER APPROVED TEAR DOWN TIME AT JEFF WYLER, SPRINGFIELD, OH, TO SEE FOR CERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL HAD EVEN BEEN DONE WITH THE STIPULATION THAT IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE (IMPLYING THAT THE NEW RECALL PULLEY HAD BEEN PUT ON BUT WENT BAD) GENERAL MOTORS WOULD "STAND BEHIND" PRODUCT, PAYING TOTAL REPAIR COSTS. IF PULLEY HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED, "STOP" AND SEND BACK TO THE DEALER THAT WAS PAID TO PERFORM RECALL-- NUMBER 02041A (WHICH WOULD BE TRENOR). -7/20/04 TECHNICIAN AND SERVICE MANAGER AT JEFF WYLER, CAME TO ME AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PULLEY HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. I WENT TO TRENOR TO SEE MR. ED TEHAN, WHO ADMITTED THAT IF THE PART WASN'T BAD, THE PART WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE TECHNICIAN IN A RECALL! HE ALSO REFUSED TO SHOW A PARTS STAMP ON ORIGINAL REPAIR ORDER. RECALL DIRECTIONS FROM DEALERWORLD.COM (GM'S WEBSITE FOR RECALLS AND VEHICLE HISTORY) STATE "IF TENSIONER PULLEY HAS BLACK BEARING SEAL, THEN REPLACE WITH A PULLEY HAVING BROWN SEALS [GIVEN IN PULLEY KIT FOR RECALL, NEW PART KIT NUMBER 55352000, AND ADDITIONAL PULLEY NEW NUMBER 90573616]". PART NUMBER ON PULLEY FOUND IN MY CAR HAS PART NUMBER 337092CA (THE SEAL IS ALSO NOT BROWN, AS THE NEW ONE SHOULD BE, IT IS BLACK) AND ACCORDING TO NATIONAL TRAFFIC SAFETY ADM. AND GENERAL MOTORS, SHOULD BE REPLACED. TRENOR MOTORS FAILED TO ACTUALLY PERFORM RECALL THEY WERE PAID TO DO. -I HAVE THE ACTUAL (ORIGINAL) PULLEY, PICTURES, NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS, TEN TECHNICIANS TO CORROBORATE ON THESE ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10088743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 2/8/04 FOR RECALL 2041, 1037. TWO DAYS AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND IT WAS OVER ONE INCH BELOW FULL, HE ALSO CHECKED THE DRIVEWAY FOR ANY ANTIFREEZE AND CHECKED WHERE YOU PUT OIL IN THE ENGINE BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY SIGNS OF EXTERNAL LEAKS, BUT A WHITE MILKY SUBSTANCE UNDER THE OIL CAP. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE. I EMAILED GM ABOUT THIS. THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE! WE HAVE CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR DAN HEMM CADILLAC, MR. CHARLIE CAROLL. HE IS AWARE OF YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE COOLANT LEVEL FOR THE 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. HE IS WILLING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE CONCERN IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE RECALL 02041, AND THEY WILL NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY. HE HAS ALSO INFORMED US THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR THE RECALL, THEY DID REPLACE PARTS AS NECESSARY. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT HIM. IF YOU SHOULD NEED TO CONTACT US IN THE FUTURE, SIMPLY REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE OR CALL OUR CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-458-8006. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGERS ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. BE SURE TO REFER TO YOUR SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER 1-226247104 IN ALL FUTURE COMMUNICATION. IF I RETURN THIS CAR, LET THE DEALER TOW IT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WILL BE TOLD THAT THE REASON MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE IS MY FAULT, AND WILL BE HANDED A BILL FOR TOWING AND WHATEVER OTHER CHARGES FOR THEM LOOKING AT IT! I HAD THE CAR BACK TWO DAYS, A TOTAL OF 374 MILES. THE CAR HAS 34867 MILES; I HAVE HAD A LOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, HEADLIGHT AIMERS, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH'S, HEADLIGHT SWITCH, IGNITION COIL PACK, AIR BAG SYSTEM. EVEN WITH ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WENT WRONG, I AT LEAST COULD DRIVE IT, UNTIL I RETURNED IT FOR A RECALL!
NHTSA complaint #10078836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING BELT, PULLEY AND WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT COST OVER $3700 TO FIX. BACK IN NOV. 2001, NOW THEIR IS COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET 6/04. CADILLAC HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND INSISTS THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE PREVIOUS OVERHAUL.
NHTSA complaint #10074892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOST ALL COOLANT, RADIATOR LIGHT ON, FUNNY BURNING SMELL, CAR TOWED. HEATER VALVE REPLACED, DEX COOL ANTI-FREEZE REPLACED. COOLING FAN ON CAR IS NOW COMING ON WHILE DRIVING, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING, FUNNY MOTOR NOISE, CAR HAS TO GO BACK TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. CADILLAC 800# CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. SOME GAUGES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CAR PURCHASED -23,503 MILES- NOW HAVE 40,120 MILES. HAVE HAD TIRES REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10074571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, BUT THERE WAS NO REACTION. THEN, CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT ENGINE AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10067039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEMS GETTING 1997 CADILLAC CATERA ENGINE REPAIRED.*MR ON 08/01/03, VEHICLE STOPPED ON NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE ENGINE, BUT NEEDED A PART FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. ON 08/04/03, CUSTOMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS RECALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER. THIS DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PARTS WERE MISSING/DAMAGED AND WOULD COST THE CONSUMER $100. DOLLARS TO REPAIR BEFORE RECALL COULD BE ADDRESSED. ON 08/06/03, CONSUMER VISITED DEALERSHIP AND SEEN PARTS IN THE TRUNK OFTHE VEHICLE. CONSUME AGREED ALL THE PARTS WERE THERE AND HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGED PARTS. AUGUST 14,2003, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED BUT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGED PARTS (VACUUM STORAGE TANK AND WIRE HARNESS COVER). AUGUST 18,2003 CONSUMER RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT ONE OF THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND CALLED WEEKLY FOR PROGRESS. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT CADILLAC DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND REPAIRS. CONSUMER REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT HE WAS TOLD, BUT WAS DENIED. SEPT. 16,2003, CONSUMER LEARNED VEHICLE WAS READY AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $753.46 DOLLARS BECAUSE CADILLAC WOULDN'T COVER SOME OF THE ENGINE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10048306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO A BELT WHICH HELD THE PULLEY INTO THE ENGINE, MELTING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS.*AK THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PART WAS ON RECALL. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10042196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED SMOKING REALLY BAD. CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE ENGINE DIED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC WHO IN TURN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE SENSOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL AND CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO BECOME DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10032400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER VALVE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10022438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A 1997 CADILLAC CATERA ON JAN 31, 2001 FROM UNITED AUTOMAX IN MEMPHIS, TN. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE I HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. BEGINNING WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY, HEATER CORE REPLACED, ROTORS REPLACED AND WEARING OUT AGAIN WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME. FUSES HAVE BLOWN, RADIATOR FAN ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS. NUMEROUS RECALLS AND ETC. ON APRIL 14, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR TO BUD DAVIS CADILLAC IN MEMPHIS AND REPORTED THAT I COULD SMELL OIL BURNING. THEY STATED THAT I NEEDED VALVE COVERS RESEALED AND TO REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL. (THE WORK WAS DONE THRU MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY). I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT END. THEY IN RETURN REPLACED RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR FROM DEALER I NOTICED THAT THE NOISE STILL EXISTED AND INFORMED SERVICE AGENT BEFORE I LEFT THE DEALER'S LOT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD STRUT LINK TO WHICH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER. AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANOTHER MACHANIC (NOT DEALER), HE STATED THAT THE NAME OF THE PART WAS A STABILIZER NOT STRUT. AND NOT ONLY DID THE NOISE EXIST IN THE FRONT END, BUT THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON AND STAY ON. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE HISSING NOISE CAME FROM A PART THAT WAS PROBABLY DAMAGED BY BUD DAVIS CADILLAC WHEN REPAIRING VALVES AND SEALS. I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT MY WARRANTY COMPANY DID COVER THE STABILIZER LINKAGE AND THEY STATED THAT THE SERVICE AGENT USED THE WRONG TERMINOLOGY. THEY AGREED TO FIX IT AND DID, BUT REFUSED TO CHECK THE SOURCE OF THE HISSING SOUND WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT. IT SEEMS THAT EACH WEEK OR MONTH THERE ARE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10016925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING/THERE'S A LOUD TAPPING SOUND, THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE POWER LOCKS AT TIMES WON'T UNLOCK/MUST PLAY WITH THE FLOOR SHIFTER, AND THE CLOCK WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IN REFERENCE TO THE ENGINE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10003913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THEIR ARE TO MANY PROBLEMS AND TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LIST!!! I EXPERIENCED FOUR RECALLS AT ONCE ON JULY 25TH, 2002. THE TECHNICIANS ARE OBVIOUSLY INCOMPENTENT OR HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THIS VEHICLE CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. I CALLED THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER GIVEN RUN AROUND. I SUFFERED A CATROSTROFIC ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF LOW COOLANT IN MY ENGINE WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. LETTERS FROM GM STATE VEHICLES CAN SUFFER ENGINE DAMAGED OR ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THEY WILL COVER THE LOSSES AND AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COST, TOTAL $1,700.71 FOR THE ENGINE COOLER TO BE REPLACED!! GM REFUSES TO COVER THE ENGINE COOLER DAMAGE!! CAR STILL IS NOT RUNNING RIGHT AND ENGINE SOUNDS HORRIBLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER GETS ON THE PHONE AND STARTS YELLING AT ME BECAUSE I HAVE A FILED A LOCAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP AND GM. HE TOLD ME HE REFUSES TO HONOR MY WARRANTYS BOTH FROM THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED AND THE REPAIRS I HAD TO PAY FOR 12 MONTH/12,000 MILES WARRANTY. I HAVE NO COOPERATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR GM AND I'M STUCK WITH A LEMON NO ONE WANTS BECAUSE THE VALUE IS SO LOW COMPARED TO WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR AND THE KNOWN PROBLEMS (LEMON) FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE BBB REFUSES TO HELP. THIS AGENCY IS EVERYONE'S LAST HOPE THAT OWNS A CATERA BECAUSE GM TREATS US LIKE DIRT AND REFUSES TO COVER THE ENGINE DAMAGES AND RELATED DAMAGES THAT OCCUR WHEN THESE FAILURES THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE FINALLY. PLEASE HELP US AS CONSUMERS AND INFORCE A MANDATORY RECALL ON THIS ENTIRE VEHICLE. WE ARE ALL PAYING FOR CARS THAT HAVE LITTLE TO NO VALUE WITH LOANS THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF BECAUSE THE TRADE IN VALUE IS SO POOR. IT'S NOT RIGHT AND IS ABSOLOUTELY UN AMERICAN!!!!! I WISH SOME ATTORNEYS WOULD FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GM TO MAKE THEM DO JUST THAT OR HELP US GET OUT OF THESE LEMONS. PLEASE HELP US.
NHTSA complaint #10000804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. $145 TO REPAIR THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL. SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE AND LR OXYGEN SENSOR BAD CAUSING "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. $345 TO REPAIR THIS ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL. HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF ABNORMAL WEAR TO THE INSIDE OF TIRES. DT
NHTSA complaint #770738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO BOTH TENSION BEARINGS AND TIMING BELT FAILURE, CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #567864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SLOW START WHEN BEING STARTED IN THE MORNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE BATTERY FAILED FOUR TIMES IN THREE DAYS. NLM THE VEHICLE STALLED (IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROARED FOR A WHILE), AND MAY HAVE DERIVED FROM THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT DRIVE TIMING BELT, IDLER, TENSIONER PULLEYS, AND THE WATER PUMP. SCC
NHTSA complaint #567173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #567173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY EVERY CADILLAC DEALER IN THE COUNTRY KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT GM WILL NOT OFFER A RECALL ON THE BELT/TENSIONER. THIS CAN LITERALLY CAUSE UPWARDS OF $5000 DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA complaint #767231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, THE WATER PUMP EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL FAILURE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VALVES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #567108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TIMING BELT TENSIONER BROKE 800 MILES FROM HOME WHILE DOING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IN MISSOURI. WITH TRAFFIC, THERE COULD EASILY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER,AND INFORMED THAT THE CONDITION BLEW THE ENGINE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED CAR FELT FUNNY. AS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES ALL POWER WAS GONE, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALER FOUND TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BLOW. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THE TIMING BELT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CHANGE FOR 100,000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #564739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED AT 35-40 MPH AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATED TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP, CADILLAC HAS NO ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE. ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS DISCONTINUED, AND THE NEW ONES WILL NOT FIT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8015144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE 1997 CADILLAC CATERA HAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BUT GENERAL MOTOS REFUSES TO ASSIST ME WITH GETTING OUT OF THIS UNSAFE CAR. THE TENSIONER ON MY CAR BROKE MAY 8, 2002. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS NOT KILLED. MY CAR STALLED RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A $6900 ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS SHOCKED. I LEARNED THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS KNOWN FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS ABOUT THE TENSIONER DEFECT BUT DI DNOT DO A RECALL. WHEN I CALLED, I WAS GIVENTHE RUNAROUND. I TOLD THE MECHANIC TO STOP UNTIL I COULD GET ASSISTANCE. HE SAID HE PUT ON A NEW TENSIONER, TIMINGBELT. AND WATER PUMP. IT DIDN'T HOLD. I'VE HAD TO TAKE TH CAR BACK OVER 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME ON JULY 1, 2002,THE COOLANT SYSTEMHAD A LEAK. GENERAL MOTORS JUST LAUGHED AT ME AND SAID THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE. IT IS UNSAFE AND I WILL NOT SPENDMY TIME IN A GARAGE. THE CAMPAIGN THAT THEY SUPPOSEDLY ISSUED IS NOTHING BUT A HOAX TO KEEP FROM GETTING FOLKS OUT OF THESE LEMONS. THEY WOULD NOT BE IGNORING THESE DEFECTIF IT WERE THE ESCALADE OR THE DEVILLE BUYERS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT AT A DEALERSHIP. I'VE TRIED TO TRADE IT BUT DUE TO THE BAD MECHANICAL RECORD, NO ONE WILL BUY THEM. EVEN THE MARKETPLACE/AUCTION SYAS THEY'RE ONLY WORTH $600 WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE A $13000 VALUE SINCE IT WAS A $36,000 VALUE CAR IN 97. GENERAL MOTORS WON'T CALL ME BACK. I AM ASKING FOR A COMPARABLE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AT THE SAME PAYMENT WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT IMMEIDATELY. GENERAL MOTORS IS THE THIRD LARGEST CORPORATION IN THE WORLD BUT IS TREATING SOME OF ITS CUSTOMERS LIKE DIRT. THEY ARE TRYING TO IGNORE THE CATERA OWNERS. MY VEHICLE WAS AN $800 REPAIR. MOST PERSONS KEPT TRYING TO DRIVE THEIR CAR AND ENDED UP WITH A $8000 ENGINE PROBLEM AND GERNAL MOTORS PAID FOR THAT. I'VE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE TO GET INTO ANOTHER CAR - MUCH LESS THAN WHAT THE ENGINE COST WOULDHAVEBEENIF I HAD KEPT DRIVING THE CAR. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTHELPED ME AT ALL. I AM TIRED OF THE RUNAROUND. CATER OWNERS ARE AT RISK.
NHTSA complaint #764471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ENGINE STALLED. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND DAMAGED ENGINE. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK WHEN THE TIMING BELT BROKE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ENGINE HAD STOP RUNNING EEXCEPT THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. APPLYING BRAKES BECAME VERY HARD TO ACCOMPLISH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #8014359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLANT HAD TO BE ADDED EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE SELF DESTRUCTED DUE TO THE TENSION BEARINGS GOING ON THE TIMING BELT, BOTH BEARINGS WERE GONE WITH THE FAILED PULLEY SHEARING OFF THE RETAINING BOLT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FIRST OF ALL THE CATERA IS A BAD CAR AND IS UNSAFE . WE HAVE PUT THIS CAR IN THE SHOP OVER 7 TIMES. WE HAVE REASON TO BELIVE THAT THE ODOMETER HAVE BEEN ROLLED BACK. ON JUNE 9 01 THE CAR HAD 56615 ON A ORDER REPAIR BUT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR ON JULY 3 01 THE ODOMETER HAD 56512 HOW IS POSSIBLE.SINCE THEN THE MILES HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE .IT SHOWS THAT ON ONE ORDER REPAIR THAT I DROVE THIS CAR 56512 - 58101 JULY 3 - JULY 11 01.THATS 1589 MILES IN10 DAYS IN WHICH I TOOK NO MAJOR TRIPS. MY WIFE DROVE BACK IN FOUTH TO WORK.ON THE 12 OF JULY WE HAD THE TIMING BELT CHANGED WHICH BROKE ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER ON 8/11/01.KEEP IN MIND WE JUST GOT THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP ON 7/18/01 ODOMETER READ 61095 WHICH MEANS WE DROVE THE CAR 2994 MILES IN ABOUT 23 DAYS.THE CAR HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP. SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON I HAVE GOOD REASONS TO BELIVE THAT THIS ODOMETER HAVE BEEN TAMPERD WITH .IT SHOWS THAT I HAVE WENT 36532 IN ABOUT 9 MONTHS NO WAY.
NHTSA complaint #764337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.