Reliability & cost of ownership
Cadillac Catera Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Cadillac Catera? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Cadillac Catera problems by model year
467 owner complaints on file across 7 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for those years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Catera | Not confirmed | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2002 Catera | Not confirmed | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2001 Catera | Not confirmed | 30 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 Catera | Not confirmed | 67 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1999 Catera | Not confirmed | 80 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1998 Catera | Not confirmed | 122 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1997 Catera | Not confirmed | 163 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Cadillac Catera, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling177 complaints
- electrical system77 complaints
- tires52 complaints
- suspension46 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic41 complaints
- air bags34 complaints
- steering32 complaints
- power train27 complaints