4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,316 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Cadillac Catera Owner Comments

problem #4

May 162002

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,263 miles

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

At 85,263 miles the car would not shift out of 1st gear. Dealership analysis was "transmission coming apart internally". no parts available for repair. Required a new transmission at a cost of $2997.86. There is no way a transmission should come apart with only 85,000 miles on it. 2nd major event for this car.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #3

May 012002

Catera 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While attempting to accelerate from stop, the vehicle seemed locked into high gear. It accelerated slowly and with out warning.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #2

Aug 012002

Catera 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

Oct 132000

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car was making a grinding sound under hood. Was told timing chain tensioner was almost broken. Dlr replaced tensioner, timing chain, and idler pulley. Car has had 6 alignments since 10/13/00. Car still pulls to left and wears out tires prematurely. Car has 47,000 miles on itand has 3rd set of tires on it. Car had a oil leak on valve cover gaskets. Dlr repaired and replaced. Car hesitates and surges forward. Dlr has not found problem. Car has abnormal shift patterns. Sometimes shift down to a lower gear causing car to lose power and speed, then shifts back to overdrive without depressing accelerator. Dlr has not found a problem. There is a sound from rear of car. Sounds like bad shocks. Dlr replaced frame support bushings and lower control arms. Noise still there. There are too many problems to report here. Car has serious problems and has been to dealership for extensive warranty work 9 times within our 7 months of ownership. The last visit, the sealership had the car for 15 days trying to repair the car, and now, most of the same things that were suppose to be repaired are still faulty. Today, the heating system went out. There is no heat in the car now. We will be returning back to dealership this morning. We have written the manufacturer and will be sending that letter off today also.

- Knightdale, NC, USA

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