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1998 Cadillac Catera

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Catera do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 84 unknown

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 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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14,145 miles · Oct 5, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

A/C COMPRESSOR LEAKING AND A/C COMPRESSOR NOT CYCLING AND LEAKING FROM THE CHASE VALVE SYSTEM. COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE HEATER COOLANT VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SENSOR WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED. UPDATED.

NHTSA ODI #10205106

69,140 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MID-JUNE ABS TC WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR IN 1998 CADILLAC CATERA. EBTCM DIAGNOSED AS FAILED. DEALER ORDERED NEW EBTCM, NOT AVAILABLE. CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE CONFIRMS "NATIONAL BACKORDER" NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THESE PARTS IN GM WAREHOUSE SYSTEMS, DEALER SYSTEM, ETC. TOOK CAR TO CHEVY (GM) DEALER (7/9/05) TO DIAGNOSE. CONFIRM FA…

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MID-JUNE ABS TC WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR IN 1998 CADILLAC CATERA. EBTCM DIAGNOSED AS FAILED. DEALER ORDERED NEW EBTCM, NOT AVAILABLE. CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE CONFIRMS "NATIONAL BACKORDER" NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THESE PARTS IN GM WAREHOUSE SYSTEMS, DEALER SYSTEM, ETC. TOOK CAR TO CHEVY (GM) DEALER (7/9/05) TO DIAGNOSE. CONFIRM FAILURE OF EBTCM; PART NOT AVAILABLE. CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE, E-MAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. RESPONSE REMAINS CONSTANT...NATIONAL BACK ORDER, NO KNOWLEDGE WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. WE MUST DRIVE CAR WITH NO ABS, TC, OR SPEEDOMETER (WHICH DOESN'T WORK WHEN ABS TC ARE NONFUNCTIONAL) AND STIFF POWER STEERING WHICH IS ALSO A RESULT OF NO ABS TC. NEITHER CADILLAC NOR GM CAN SPECIFY WHEN SUCH PART WILL BE AVAILABLE, NOR HAVE THEY PROPOSED A LOANER CAR TO DRIVE UNTIL PART ARRIVES. WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT, IN MY OPINION, IS UNSAFE SHOULD WE FIND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES THE ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL. THE SPEEDOMETER IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND STEERING BECOMES STIFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS MODULE. GM NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. HOW CAN THEY SELL CARS THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE PARTS FOR. SAFETY SEEMS TO BE MY PROBLEM, NOT THEIRS AS IT IS "MY" EBTCM THAT HAS FAILED NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132163

27,191 miles · Mar 18, 2005
EquipmentSeatsService Brakes, HydraulicInjury

CADILLAC CATERA 1998, DRIVER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT THAT CONSUMER BACK WAS BURNED. *BF THE CONSUMER FIRST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT NOT HEATING WAS BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2000 WHICH WAS REPAIRED. ON PREVIOUS OCCASION THE CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE. THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE, THE CONSUMER REPORTED A WOBBLE IN…

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CADILLAC CATERA 1998, DRIVER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT THAT CONSUMER BACK WAS BURNED. *BF THE CONSUMER FIRST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT NOT HEATING WAS BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2000 WHICH WAS REPAIRED. ON PREVIOUS OCCASION THE CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE. THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSE, THE CONSUMER REPORTED A WOBBLE IN THE TIRE, ONE MONTH LATER THE CONSUMER HAD A FLAT TIRE, HE WAS THEN TOLD THE TIRES NEEDED TO REPLACED, THERE WAS STATIC FROM THE RADIO, THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115604

60,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

SENSORS WENT BAD. OIL CURRENTLY IN THE ENGINE, HEAD GASKETS GONE. TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION COIL PACK REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #10070850

58,200 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE MAINTAINENCE WARNING IS DEFECTIVE AND INSUFFICENT. ACCORDING THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS THE CONSUMER WILL NEED TO HAVE BRAKES SERVICED SOON. THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN THE BRAKE PADS NEED CHANGING, WHICH IS A WARNING. THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE A SENSOR WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO SQUEAL W…

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THE BRAKE MAINTAINENCE WARNING IS DEFECTIVE AND INSUFFICENT. ACCORDING THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS THE CONSUMER WILL NEED TO HAVE BRAKES SERVICED SOON. THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN THE BRAKE PADS NEED CHANGING, WHICH IS A WARNING. THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE A SENSOR WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO SQUEAL WHEN PADS NEED REPLACING. THEREFORE, NOT GIVING THE CONSUMER THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINOR REPAIRS BEFORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE MAINTAINENCE LIGHT DOES APPEAR WHEN YOUR PADS HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT, YOU NOW HAVE DAMAGE TO YOUR ROTORS, AND DAMAGE TO YOUR CYLINDERS NOW TURNING AN $200-$300 REPAIR TO A $1000 REPAIR. THIS IS UNFAIR AND DECEITFUL TO THE CONSUMER. DISCUSSED ISSUE WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME OLE' WELL, TOO BAD-SO SAD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029029

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED AND RESURFACED TO FREQUENTLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009298

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DUE TO A DEFECT IN FRONT ALIGMENT TIRES WORE EXCESSIVELY.*AK THE ROTORS WERE TURNED AND RESURFACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BRAKES PULSATE, SQUEAK AND GO TOO LOW TO THE FLOOR. THE THIRD SET OF TIRES THAT WERE ON THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING OUT DUE TO AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, ALSO ANOTHER TIRE WAS LEAKING AIR. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR HANDLE…

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DUE TO A DEFECT IN FRONT ALIGMENT TIRES WORE EXCESSIVELY.*AK THE ROTORS WERE TURNED AND RESURFACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BRAKES PULSATE, SQUEAK AND GO TOO LOW TO THE FLOOR. THE THIRD SET OF TIRES THAT WERE ON THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING OUT DUE TO AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, ALSO ANOTHER TIRE WAS LEAKING AIR. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR HINGE WAS UNSTABLE, ALSO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK STICKS. THE WIPERS SCRUB. THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES NOISE. THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LIGHT SHINES TOO HIGH. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8009295

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WATER VALVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND REFILLED SYSTEM, OIL COOLER LINE LEAKING, DEALER RESEALED HOUSING AND REPLACED COOLANT BRIDGE OIL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTED . NLM

NHTSA ODI #563665

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY …

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BRAKE INSP.BRAKE REPLACED3/9/00;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5/12/00-FUEL INJECTOR DIRTY, REPLACE SENSOR; LEFT WINDOW SLOW IN OPERATION - 6/23/00;INGINTION REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING- TWO REPLACEMENT 6/23/00;CAR JERKING IN SPORT MODE, PRBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, SUNROOF SLIDES BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TURNING DIAL,RECALL ON ENGINE CHECK PULLEY 7/05/000; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAR STALLS7/31/00; VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT TIRES, REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE TIRE RODS. I ASK FOR A REA SUSP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT NECESSARY AND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO IT THAT DAY. RIGHT FRONT HEADLAMP OUT 3/01/01; LEFT HEAD LIGHT OUT 4/13/01;CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, SUNROOF OPENS WHILE DRIVING W/O TURNING DIAL,5/24/01; REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING REPLACE KEY , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, 6/21/01; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON , SLOW PICKUP, REAR SUS. ROUGH RIDE HELP-RECALL EMISSION 7/26/01; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONTACT DEALER ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TO ADJUST THE KNOB ON THE GAS TANK BY TURNING IT SEVERAL TIMES. 8/6/01; CAR WILL NOT START BATTERY DEAD, SUNROOF NOT WORKING. CONTACT TOW SERVICE THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. TOW SERVICE BOOST CAR BATTERY AND LEFT. SUNROOF REFUSE TO OPERATE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 8/13/01-CAR PARKED GOING ON VACATION; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON RETURN FROM VACATION 8/23/01-HELP- DOING THE FIRST YEAR OF 1999 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BREAKS THOSES DOCUMENTS WERE DESTROYED IN A HOUSE FIRE. MY HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 11/24/99.*AK (TIRESIZE: 14RHS)

NHTSA ODI #751086

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONTACTED DEALER IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGIINE PROBLEM-WAS NOT ADVISED OF ANY IMMINENT DANGER-LOST POWER STEERING-CAR OVERHEATED & ENGINE FAILURE, BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAL INTERMITTENTLY, STEERING PULLS TO SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #731256

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.