1997 Cadillac CATERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
64,414 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 122 complaints (24.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 13.9% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 30 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 13 |
| Suspension:Front | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 30; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 13; Suspension:Front: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 7; Electrical System: 6; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 97 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 21; 2001: 23; 2002: 42; 2003: 15; 2004: 14; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003913 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054381 · 2004-01-18 (January 18, 2004)
THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED ON MY 1997 CADILLAC CATERA IN KINGSPORT, TN DURING A SNOWSTORM. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND UN-DRIVABILITY OF THE CAR DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT WITH REPLACEMENT OF COMPUTER MODULE AND VALVE/PUMP HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088743 · 2004-08-28 (August 28, 2004)
-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 RECA…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567173 · 2002-08-21 (August 21, 2002)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016925 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
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 B…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,074 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032843 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
ELECTRICAL SMOLDERING FIRE WITHIN THE DASH HARNESS P/N90493373 OF MY 1997 CADILLAC CATERA VIN #[XXX]. NO ACTUAL FLAMES WERE SEEN BEFORE THE 80 AMP MAIN FUSE OPENED. I DID SEE THE ACTUAL HARNESS AT THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND MOST IF NOT ALL THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS HAD THEIR SHIELDING MELTED CLEAN AWAY ABOUT 1/2". THE EXPOSED WIRES SHORTED TOGETHER TO CAUSE THE FUSE TO OPEN. I WAS TOLD THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WAS THE ONLY PEOPLE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING FAILURE BUT THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ACTUALLY ABLE TO MAKE THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 49,343 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065044 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE STEERED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID VEHICLE FROM GOING AUTOMATICALLY TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT SOMETHING IN THE FRONT END WAS BENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558736 · 2014-01-07 (January 7, 2014)
I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND DRIVING OUT OF MY COMPLEX WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN IT FOR TWO DAYS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005525 · 2003-02-08 (February 8, 2003)
AT 85,263 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. DEALERSHIP ANALYSIS WAS "TRANSMISSION COMING APART INTERNALLY". NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. REQUIRED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2997.86. THERE IS NO WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD COME APART WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES ON IT. 2ND MAJOR EVENT FOR THIS CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,263 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566232 · 2002-06-24 (June 24, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566232 at NHTSA ↗