Engine Cooling System Problems of Cadillac Catera

The water pump gave out.

See all problems of the 1998 Cadillac Catera 🔎.

I would drive the Catera right on the main busy road my car made a suicidal stop! I panic! immediately put the emergency hazardous lights on. I took it to the mechanic and he said he is reading the sensor are bad, so I spent over $300. 00 dollars replacing them, I continue to have the car stop in the middle of the road, I have been very lucky that I have not been hit or in a serious accident. Again I took the car to the mechanic a different person this time. He said; it was the manifold intake, they are plastic and they crack or bend when the car engine heats, the mechanic and I looked for different junkyards to our surprise most of the Cadillac of that made the very piece we were looking for was missing. (plastic air take and the hose) it does not take a rock scientist to know that there is a serious problem with putting a plastic intake inside a engine that holds a lot of heat. Specially for me I live in a year around hot weather. I went to different auto part stores to find the part because the junkyard was out of the question what I did find all the auto parts store had nothing good to say about this car. It has a bad reputation this beautiful dream Cadillac caterea is the bad apples of the Cadillac, it is ashamed you don't have a recall on these cars. It looks like it cheaper to stop making them than to fix the problem. The problem I see they are still out in the street. Unfortunately I have one. I called gm and they would not help me because I did not buy the car from them or have I repaired the car with them. But is thier car model. Don't get it. They gave birth to defective cars now they want us to fix the problem.

See all problems of the 2000 Cadillac Catera 🔎.

Chronic failure of gm pn# 90566947 causing loss of coolant and possible fire damage due to proximity of exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. There have been 3 replacements in 62,580 miles. The first @ 16,586 miles, second @ 34,503 miles, and the latest at 62,580 miles. The leaks begin as an odor of coolant, then spots begin on the pavement, then finally the coolant reservoir empties itself. The valve is located at the rear of the engine block up against the firewall, and adjacent to the exhaust pipe on the passenger side. The part has been replaced all 3 times, once under warranty and twice at my expense. Gm refuses to acknowledge a design problem, even though this is not a maintenance part. It is constructed from plastic and does not withstand the hot environment of the application. It is used on the 3 litre 6 cylinder engine of the Cadillac Catera and cts, and the SAAB 9-5. Dealer use records show a very high incidence of failure even though there are not that many vehicles using this engine. There is a possibility of fire due to the coolant spraying on the catalytic converter when moving, as well as disabling the engine due to the loss of coolant.

See all problems of the 2001 Cadillac Catera 🔎.

Radiator, oil leaks, transmission, tires. . All bad. . . Worst car maker in this world (Cadillac) all parts have had to been repaired and replaced.

The purpose of this memo is to request NHTSA to evaluate and take appropriate action to have the manufacturer correct design defect in the hot water valve of the 2001 Cadillac Catera cooling system. Recently the hot water valve, fp number 90566947, in the cooling system of my 2001 Catera failed for the second time. The first failure occurred in 2005 with less than 50,000 miles on the car and was repaired under warranty. The second failure occurred last month with less than 75,000 miles on the car and was repaired at my expense. Both repairs were performed by val ward Cadillac, fort myers, florida, where I purchased the vehicle. I have owned many cars, including four general motors (gm) cars, and this cooling system problem has never occurred on any of them. On June 5, 2007 I sent a letter to gm asking that they issue a recall of the 2001 Catera to correct this design defect. I was advised, via a telephone call from ms. Jolene blazukiewicz, in their executive office, that gm does not believe this is a design defect or safety hazard and no recall has been issued. She went on to say the failed part is made of plastic, as though this was a reason for the failure. I suggested they may want to consider making the part from a stronger material, she said she would forward my letter to the design department. I live in a relatively rural part of central florida and sudden loss of cooling fluid on a road far from a town or service station, could present a very real and significant safety hazard and result in severe engine damage. The fact that this valve has now failed twice indicates it is a design defect. It would seem appropriate for general motors to issue a recall and replace the valve with a more robust part. I therefore request the NHTSA to evaluate the problem and, if appropriate, direct gm to issue a recall for the replacement of the defective part. Sincerely, torsten rothman.

Engine coolant temperature warning light comes on.

See all problems of the 1999 Cadillac Catera 🔎.

On 8/20/05, I have filed a complaint (file # 1-357-445-124) with Cadillac customer relations, in order to request full reimbursement for repair of two safety-related issues and one service-related issue that have come to my knowledge recently. I believe these issues did not happened overnight and have been developing prior to the expiring of the warranty in December 2004. Car has only 35k miles and is driven avg of 4k miles per year. Complaint is as follows: 1) defective original factory chrome rims: as per tires plus and lindsay Cadillac service shop technicians, the chrome is peeling from inside rim, causing tires to constantly lose air (deflate), which at any time may be a hazard to my safety, as well as for other passengers). I have asked Cadillac to repair/replace 4 rims; 2) defective car jack: although not previously used, on 8/19/05 the new jack slid and bended when I used it according to instructions to replace a flat tire, almost causing personal injury and car damage). . Read more...

I would like to place a complaint on record about the poor quality of the Cadillac Catera. These vehicles should have all been bought back by gm to protect the american public from their poor quality. I have a 1998 Cadillac Catera ,well cared for. Over the past year though the car has begun to leak oil heavily,to the point of actually being an enviromental hazard. The other day I took it to a local Cadillac dealer only to be told the car has leaking valve cover gaskets,cam cover gaskets and an oil cooling line. They say $1200 will seal up most of the leaks. The car only has an original 65,000 miles on it. Upon hearing this I did an internet search on Cateras and the horror stories are endless. It seems they all including mine have broken headlight aligners. This is apparently caused by heat and cheap manufacturing. This off course makes the headlights impossible to align and aim. It also seems that all Cateras wear out tires in a very rapid time frame due to poor front end design. My 1998 has all these problems plus all four radio speakers have blown although they were never played loudly. The headlight lenses have heavily yellowed over thus reducing greatly the headlight power. I would strongly suggest you review accidents involving Cateras as they could easily relate to the all to common headlight adjustment problem on these cars not to mention the oil blow by from the engine onto the front brake rotors. Please help get these cars off the road.

The contact owns a 1997 Cadillac Catera. While driving at any speed the vehicle overheated. The contact noticed smoke coming from the hood and antifreeze leaking from the vehicle. On may 2, 2007 the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that there was a hole in the antifreeze line, but the vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage is 80,100, and failure mileage was 58,600.

See all problems of the 1997 Cadillac Catera 🔎.

Water keeps leaking from the engine. I have had the heater control valve replaced 3 weeks ago and now the water pump is leaking coolant.

Purchased 1998 Cadillac Catera 2/06/04. 64,546 miles. Water pump failed as we arrived home with vehicle. Selling dealer sent vehicle to his local Cadillac dealer, capital Cadillac for repairs. Water pump was on recall. When water pump failed it damaged the main belt and caused it to come off disabeling power steering and other equipment powered by belt. Engine briefly overheated while stopping. Cadillac dealer replaced water pump on campaign 02041 and secondary air injection hose - campaign 01037. The failure does not mention 02018. Car has leaked coolant every since the dealer returned the car to us. The water pump damaged the engine. We want Cadillac to repair or replace it. Cadillac cs will not communicate in writing, stating they only discuss orally. Cadillac has refused to assist or give out any information related to similiar problems.

Engine cooling fluid leaked onto the engine and caused the vehicle to stall, and will not restart. Had to be towed to the dealership.

While driving, the water pump experienced an internal failure, causing damage to the valves.

Purshased car with 69961 miles for $9935. Second day of purshase in shop for overheating. 32 days after purshase in shop for waterpump at a cost of $420. 3 month after purshase in shop for $1400 for front control arms and rear wheel bearings to get line up. After driving 14300 miles timing belt tensioner broke, an estimate of $8000 for repair. Now a lawn ornament. Can not afford to repair. The dealer (ferris auto center), Cadillac, and gm which is in conjunction with the better business burear don't care!.

Timing belt failed due to faulty water pump, and resulted in extensive valve train damage. The consumer stated that the problem occurs frequently.

I have talked with a person a cole valley and he said that my car and other like mine had the same thing go wrong with it in one case some one had to buy a new engine for a 1997 and a 1998 don't know how people he's talking about but my guess its up there . (tiresize: 23540zr18)( dot number: tire size: 23540zr18 ).

All four tires were showing tread separation. Metal was showing in front of tires. Also, rear tires were showing wear and tear on inner side of vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem. Dealer replaced two tires, however would not and hasnot replaced the other two, consumer is requesting that the other two tires be replaced, no specific tire information given. Hot water valve leaking coolant, dealer replaced.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Engine coolant leak.

Repeated engine coolant leaks.

There was a recall regarding a defective water pump, timing belt and engine pulley, however the dealer only replaced the water pump.

Without any indication vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull vehicle over and noticed water leaking from water pump. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.