1998 Cadillac CATERA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,765 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 97 complaints (19.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 14.4% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 11.3% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 7.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.1% |
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 | 19 |
| Tires | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Suspension:Front | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 19; Tires: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14; Suspension:Front: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Suspension: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 58 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 | 16 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 18; 2002: 12; 2003: 14; 2004: 12; 2005: 7; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007072 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE LEATHER TO MELT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010199 · 2003-03-09 (March 9, 2003)
COOLANT LEAKING CAUSE ENGINE HEAD NEEDS REPLACING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,765 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010367 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011469 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLES ENGINE TREMBLED BECAUSE WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017429 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CAUSED VEHICLE TO BECOME DISABLED. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018268 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022849 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024573 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH AND WITH NO WARNING BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024573 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.