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1997 Cadillac Catera

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Catera years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Cadillac Catera are substantially higher than the model-year median of 67.

About this comparison →
163Owner complaints

Model-year median: 67

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
163
1997123
199880
199967
2000
Compare all Catera years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
75Electrical System
24Suspension
21Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18Exterior Lighting
16
All reported categories
Steering
14Visibility
12Air Bags
11Power Train
10Tires
10Structure
8Vehicle Speed Control
8Unknown Or Other
7Equipment
6Fuel System, Gasoline
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Seats
2Interior Lighting
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 25 of 163 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Seats complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Seats

SEAT WARMER GETS SO HOT THAT CONSUMER HAS TO PLACE A TOWEL IN SEAT TO CONTINUE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS TRAVELED UP TO 80 MILES TO ANOTHER DELAER TO GET IT FIXED, ANDTHEY DIDN'T ORDER CORRECT PARTS. DEALER HAS NO RESPONSE TO PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884087

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001
Seats

PASSENGER TURNED ON SEAT HEATER, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. SEAT HEATING ELEMENT HAD BURNED RIGHT THROUGH SEAT, 3/4 INCH DIAMETER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880482

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.