NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,729 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Cadillac Catera engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Cadillac Catera Owner Comments

problem #7

Mar 082009

Catera

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tensioner pulley locked up. The tensioner stopped turning. As a result of this, the drive belt shredded like spaghetti and then melted. I avoided an accident by applying brakes and then having the car towed. Total repair cost: $729.

- Rocky Point, NY, USA

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problem #6

Jun 062004

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
Timing belt, pulley and water pump replacement cost over $3700 to fix. Back in Nov. 2001, now their is coolant leaking from the head gasket 6/04. Cadillac has been made aware of this situation and insists this had nothing to do with the engine previous overhaul.

- Benbrook , TX, USA

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problem #5

May 142004

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,105 miles
Lost all coolant, radiator light on, funny burning smell, car towed. Heater valve replaced, dex cool anti-freeze replaced. Cooling fan on car is now coming on while driving, air conditioning not working, funny motor noise, car has to go back to shop for diagnostic test. Cadillac 800# claims there is no recall on this. Some gauges not working properly. Car purchased -23,503 miles- now have 40,120 miles. Have had tires replaced twice.

- Turtle Creek, PA, USA

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problem #4

May 302001

Catera 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- River Rouge, MI, USA

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problem #3

Aug 212002

(reported on)

Catera 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle experienced a slow start when being started in the morning. The dealer replaced the alternator and battery but the problem still exists. The battery failed four times in three days. Nlm the vehicle stalled (in which the vehicle roared for a while), and may have derived from the engine camshaft drive timing belt, idler, tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. Scc

- Washington, DC, USA

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Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

engine failure engine defect noisy engine engine knock intake manifold gasket leaking coolant oil sludge whining noise stalls while driving engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect Catera recall
problem #2

Mar 011998

Catera

  • miles
Coolant had to be added every couple of weeks and then the water pump failed, consumer states that the engine self destructed due to the tension bearings going on the timing belt, both bearings were gone with the failed pulley shearing off the retaining bolt.

- West Townsend, MA, USA

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problem #1

Jun 262000

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The back of the main engine block is leaking oil. *

- Inglewood, CA, USA

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