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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.

About this comparison →
123Owner complaints

Model-year median: 67

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
163
1997123
199880
199967
200030
2001
Compare all Catera years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
56Suspension
22Tires
19Electrical System
17Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13
All reported categories
Air Bags
9Power Train
9Fuel System, Gasoline
8Steering
8Visibility
8Seats
7Structure
7Exterior Lighting
6Equipment
5Latches/locks/linkages
5Unknown Or Other
5Vehicle Speed Control
3Wheels
3Service Brakes, Air
2Service Brakes, Electric
2Electronic Stability Control
1Fuel System, Other
1Seat Belts
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADI…

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I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND THEY JUST KEEP PILING UP. I JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKETS A MONTH AGO AND NOW MY OIL PRESSURE IS FAILING. MY SERVICE WRITTER TELLS ME THIS CAR IS NOTORIUS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SPECIFICALLY THE WAY IT HANDLES OIL AND COOLING. I SENT A LETTER TO CADILLAC WHEN I HAD PROBLES A MONTH AGO BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067764

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2002
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021113

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Electronic Stability ControlEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

FRONT END MISALIGNMENT CAUSED PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. YH

NHTSA ODI #551815

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858832

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.