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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

Suspension complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

ENGINE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OIL PRESSURE THAT STAY BELOW MINIMUM AT IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMP. FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAIL WITH LESS THEN 90000 MILES. AUTO TRANSMISSION FAIL WITH LESS THEN 90000 MILES. HAVE ENGAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND SHIFTING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445554

59,000 miles · Oct 13, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RU…

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CAR OVER HEATING, SMOKING, STEAMING. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE BLEW, LATER TO FIND OUT OIL COOLER WENT. ALSO JUST FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS OVER HAULED, NO WARNING, NO LEAKS. HEAT REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, IGNITION COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS AND STILL DOES RUN TOO HOT, CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PARTS. ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001, PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT HAS SINCE WARE OUT. MY SUN ROOF DOES NOT WORK, MY KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK, HERE IT IS 2005 AND THE CAR ONLY HAS OR AROUND 65,000 MILES ON IT, WHEN PURCHASED ONLY HAD 23,000, I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR TO WORK AND BACK, AND TOO RUN ERRANDS. WHY AM I HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT, I CAN'T EVEN GET A DEALER TO TAKE IT AS TRADE IN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139607

90,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

1998 CATERA PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC PART MAL FUNCTION; ALTERNATOR FAILURE; BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES; HEATER AND A/C INOPERATIVE-BURNED HARNESS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT; DOOR HINGES FAILED; ENGINE OIL LEAK; VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START; PREMATURE TIRE WEAR; VEHICLE WANDERS; FRONT E…

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1998 CATERA PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC PART MAL FUNCTION; ALTERNATOR FAILURE; BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES; HEATER AND A/C INOPERATIVE-BURNED HARNESS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT; DOOR HINGES FAILED; ENGINE OIL LEAK; VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START; PREMATURE TIRE WEAR; VEHICLE WANDERS; FRONT END ALIGNED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR; WARPED DISC ROTORS TWICE IN TWO YEAR PERIOD; DIFFERENTIAL SEALS LEAK; VAOLTAGE METER AMBIGUOS READING; SIDEMARKERS INOPERATIVE AND CORRODED; HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURE; REMOTE KEYS FILED; REAR VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT ADJUST TO NIGHT DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10126748

67,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension

CADILLAC CATER 1998 EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURE THAT CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *BF THE TRUNK LIGHT BULBS FAILED. THE TRUNK LIGHT BAR FAILED. THE KEY FOB FAILED. THE CD PLAYER FAILED. THE WINDOW WASHER HOSE FAILED. THE SWITCH FOR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM GEAR OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE CAUSING E…

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CADILLAC CATER 1998 EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURE THAT CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *BF THE TRUNK LIGHT BULBS FAILED. THE TRUNK LIGHT BAR FAILED. THE KEY FOB FAILED. THE CD PLAYER FAILED. THE WINDOW WASHER HOSE FAILED. THE SWITCH FOR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM GEAR OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THE FRONT AND REAR END HAD TO BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CENTER LINK WAS ALSO REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10113275

21,083 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Suspension

REAR TIRE WORE OUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING TIRE TREAD ON THE INSIDE TO SHOW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE REAR TIRES WORE ON THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF TOO MUCH NEGATIVE CAMBER. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED. THE CONSUMERS CASE WENT TO ARBITRATION BUT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD REQUIRE A DESIGN CHANGE WHICH WAS BEY…

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REAR TIRE WORE OUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING TIRE TREAD ON THE INSIDE TO SHOW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE REAR TIRES WORE ON THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF TOO MUCH NEGATIVE CAMBER. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED. THE CONSUMERS CASE WENT TO ARBITRATION BUT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD REQUIRE A DESIGN CHANGE WHICH WAS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF ARBITRATION. THE CONSUMER CALLED CADILLAC TO BUT A RETROFIT KIT TO ADJUST THE CAMBER BUT NO KIT WAS AVAILABLE. A DESIGN CHANGE WAS MADE WHICH WAS NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. THE MANUFACTURER MADE A DESIGN CHANGE AND THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THEY SHOULD RETROFIT ALL 1998 CATERA'S. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10033808

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

68,000 miles · Oct 9, 2003
Suspension

BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES DUE TO IMPROPER ALLIGNMENT. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 1-28-02, AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT END PULLING TO THE LEFT. HAVE HAD A NEW TIE ROD PUT ON, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. NEW TIRES WERE ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IS WORSE, WITH STEEL CORD COMING TH…

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BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDES DUE TO IMPROPER ALLIGNMENT. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 1-28-02, AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FRONT END PULLING TO THE LEFT. HAVE HAD A NEW TIE ROD PUT ON, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. NEW TIRES WERE ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IS WORSE, WITH STEEL CORD COMING THRU, PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS WORN BAD. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND/OR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE AT FAULT AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS AND THE CADILLAC DIVISION ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH GM DEALER TO HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED AND HAVE A 4 WHEEL ALLIGNMENT DONE. TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 25000 MILES ON THEM, REAR TIRES SEEM FINE FOR THIS MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 68000 MILES ON IT, I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO FINDING PAST OWNERS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041561

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER NOTICE UNUSUAL WEAR TO FRONT TIRES VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY DEALER TECHNICIAN NOTICE INDEPENDENT FRONT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8022465

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 · Apr 26, 2002
Suspension

TIRES ARE WEARING OUT ON REAR MORE THAN OTHERS. ALSO, FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT DEALER INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, HOWEVER THE TIRES WORE OUT IN 10,000 MILES. DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING MORE REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH VEHICLE, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8008702

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.