37 of the 826 complaints filed about the Cadillac Catera are about the lighting — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
37
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES (SEALED BEAM) ON 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ARE BROKEN. THESE PARTS CAN NOT BE REPAIRED - BULBS WILL BURN OUT IN SEVERAL MONTHS DUE TO JARRING/BOUNCING. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THE PREVIOUS 5.5 YEARS AND IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10317079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SEALED HEADLIGHTS THAT HAVE RESIDUE ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS THAT YOU CAN NOT REPLACE JUST THE BULBS. YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THAT COST OVER 600.00 EACH. THIS WOULD BE ON A 2002 CADALLAC CATERA.
NHTSA complaint #10265172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE A 2000 CATERA. THE HEAD LIGHTS HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL USED TO SUPPORT THE LAMP HOLDER IN THE LIGHTS DISINTERGRATED OVER A 6 YEAR PERIOD DUE TO SUN HEAT. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE INTERNAL LAMP HOLDERS TO FALL AND PREVENT THE LIGHTS FROM ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10175537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2000 CATERA HAS HAD A POWER FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL DEFECTS, GASKET AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. *TS THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE HOT WATER VALVE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE SIDE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPLACED AND THE IGNITION HAD TO BE LUBED. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE HEATING SYSTEM AND THE MOONROOF DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WHEN IT WAS USED IT CAUSED POWER FAILURES..
NHTSA complaint #10158386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON, ALL THE GAUGES STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PUSHED FORWARD THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR LONGER. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTROL IS PULLED BACK THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, THE AIR CONDITION CONTROLS DID NOT WORK, AND THE O2 SENSOR DID NOT RESPOND. THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES HAVD BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10130420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON, ALL THE GAUGES STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PUSHED FORWARD THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR LONGER. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTROL IS PULLED BACK THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, THE AIR CONDITION CONTROLS DID NOT WORK, AND THE O2 SENSOR DID NOT RESPOND. THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES HAVD BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10130420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
MISALIGNED HEADLAMPS AND FOGLAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10086158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MISALIGNED HEADLAMPS AND FOGLAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10086158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT IS DEFECTIVE. HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE AIMED PROPERLY DUE TO INTERNAL BREAKAGE. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON TO ALL MODELS OF CADILLAC CATERAS FROM 1997 TO 2001.
NHTSA complaint #10080484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE AIMING MECHANISM ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 CADILLAC CATERA FAILED AND LEFT ME WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AIMED AT THE GROUND AND UNABLE TO RE-AIM THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON THESE HEADLIGHTS, AND THERE IS NO FIX FROM GM EXCEPT TO BUY ENTIRE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AT $500 EACH. THE REPLACEMENT UNITS ARE MADE ENTIRELY DIFFERENTLY (AND DO NOT FAIL) SO IT OBVIOUS GM KNOWS THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10080395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LIGHT AIMERS BROKE, CAN NOT ADJUST HEAD LAMPS. PLASTIC PARTS BROKE INSIDE HEAD LAMP CAPSULE.
NHTSA complaint #10079214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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?
NHTSA complaint #10067764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE 97-99 CADILLAC CATERA IN MY OPIONION HAS A BAD HEADLIGHT DESIGN. MY 6 YEAR OLD CAR HAS BROKEN HEADLIGHT ADJUSTORS. THIS MAKES IT BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO AIM (ADJUST) THE HEADLIGHTS. REPLACMENT HEADLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, BUT THE COST ABOUT $340 PER HEADLIGHT. THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE COST TO CONSUMER TO REPAIR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON THIS CAR. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, NOT JUST SEVERAL YEARS. I CONSIDER IT A SAFTEY HAZARD THAT THE HEADLAMPS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10040925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DETERIORATED, WHICH CAUSED A MISALIGNMENT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CADILLAC REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COST OF EACH HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER FELT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10027337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #564987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #564987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ENGINE FAILED GOING ABOUY 70 MILES AN HOUR TIMING BELT BROKE, CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAR REPAIRED BUT STILL HAS PROBLEMS, DEALER CAUSED ADDITONAL PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING REPAIR BROKE BOLT IN ENGINE COST TO REPAIR 800 DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR OIL LEAK ON VALVE COVER GASKET AGAIN DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR ALL THOUGH COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. CADILLAC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEMS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND ON CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE CAR WAS OUT FOR 5 WEEKS AT DEALER, CAR HAS SEVERE VIBRATIONS WHEN IDLED DUE TO REPAIR NEW DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM OR MAKE REPAIR, HEADLAMPS ALSO FAILED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES REPLACEMENT COST $1,000 TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST
NHTSA complaint #762260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.