10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,091 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.

1999 Cadillac Catera engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Cadillac Catera Owner Comments

problem #11

Oct 192005

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

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

Car's "check engine" and transmission dash lights intermittently stay on and the car won't start. Sometimes the car will start and move with the transmission light on but the car is sluggish. Two or three hours later the car will start and run fine. This problem was identified a week after purchase (Sep 2004) but the dealer couldn't identify a problem. It has gradually worsened, but none more than this evening when my family and I were almost killed! we were driving on an interstate at 70 mph. No engine lights were on. The speedometer all of a sudden went to zero and I lost all power. An eighteen wheeler missed us by inches as I tried to get the car off to the side of the road. My daughter slammed her head against the side window. GM and Cadillac should be ashamed of putting this product out. They have all but washed and turned their back on Catera owners. I am retiring from the U.S. air force in two weeks after 25 years of service. I get chills when I think of americans who died in wars and contingencies to protect people and businesses like this. I can't believe there isn't one official recall on this vehicle. I've had nothing but trouble with this car from the beginning but none as dangerous as the current problem. I have read story after story on yours and other internet sites about this lemon of a car (1997 to 2001). Tomorrow I will take time off from work to bring this car to the dealer. Everything will be based on their schedule and I will have to find rides back and forth (30 minutes from my work and 45 minutes from my home). They will not be able to identify any dtc codes and I will pay for things that they think is wrong with it. Ironically, my research indicates that the problem may be a crankshaft sensor. They disagreed during the warranty period and did not replace it. It may or may not be the sensor, but someone must be responsible and accountable for identifying and fixing this common Catera problem before someone gets killed!

- Sahuarita, AZ, USA

problem #10

Sep 072002

Catera

  • miles
Consumer put key in ignition and vehicle would not start, had vehicle serviced. While driving vehicle shutdown twice without any warning.contacted dealer.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 202002

(reported on)

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states when slowing down the car stalls out.

- Lexington, OH, USA

problem #8

Nov 012000

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle stalls frequently at slow speeds, taken to dealer 8-10 times. Dealer cannot find cause of problem.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #7

May 292001

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
Engine leaked oil, causing sparks while driving. Dealer has repaired vehicle.

- San Marcus, TX, USA

problem #6

May 292001

(reported on)

Catera

  • miles
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die without warning, causing loss of steering. Dealer has repaired vehicle.

- San Marcus, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 162000

Catera

  • miles

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

While driving the vehicle stalls causing consumer to pump the accelerator. Nlm

- Forestville, MD, USA

problem #4

Jul 042000

Catera

  • miles
Repeated engine stall. Exhibited once at 70 mph, twice at less than 10. Car was in gear and in motion each time. Dealer has reprogrammed computer per GM. Car has stalled once since date of reprogramming.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #3

May 032000

(reported on)

Catera

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving on several occasions rear doors were not fully closed at a time when children were rear of vehicle. Consumer provided no indication that the doors were open. Consumer has contacted the dealer. There are no indications of the doors being opened, the doors are supposed to automatically lock once the vehicle is shifted into drive, however the doors remain open and unlocked. Consumer hears a clicking noise from the center dash. The sunroof stays stuck in the open position and makes a loud cracking noise, it's taken 3 times to repair the problem. When vehicle is first driven, it sticks in first gear. The steering wheel is hard to keep under control allowing the vehicle to wander while driving. The front door handle sticks, the dealer can not remedy the problem. The windshield wipers wore out prematurely. The engine races while coasting downhill, the dealer stated that this was normal. The interior flooded, the dealer stated the the hood drains are clogged with debris.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 072000

Catera

  • miles
Car stalls out and shakes.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #1

Dec 151999

Catera

  • miles
Vehicle expereinced stalling on the freeway on two occasions. Vehicle been in dealer's shop for inspection / repairs, and problem still reoccurring.

- La Canta, CA, USA

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