2001 Cadillac Catera problems
The 2001 Cadillac Catera has 38 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (13%) concerns engine. Next are tires (13%) and cooling system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 38 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 13% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 21 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 43,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Cadillac Catera with enough data (17 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer states that in a frontal collison the driver side seat belt did not retractand driver was thrown through the windshield causing injuries. Mr
While driving down the highway at approx. 55 MPH, came upon driver moving slow, had to brake, then began to pass, front end made a loud, horrible noise, and within seconds the front wheel flew off the vehicle, catera struck another person's trailer and the catera was a total loss. Dealer had car for repairs about 3 of the 5 months I've owned the car.
My husband was driving home from work when the accelerator "took over" and went all the way to the floor. He applied the brakes but they did not work. At some point the front wheel of the vehicle sheared off and flew off the car causing complete loss of control. My husband, a former navy seal, managed to "manhandle" the steering wheel enough to avoid a long line of oncoming traffic, but clipped the tail end of a trailer being pulled by a truck. He survived.
The design of the front wheels was causing premature wear of the tires because the tires came in contact with the road at an angle while driving. Based from invoice from dealer, the front wheels of the catera are designed to pitched slightly inward, which may cause the front tires to wear faster. Also, it was recommended that tires have to be rotated regularly.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 cadillac catera. Since may of 2009, the vehicle stalls while driving 45 MPH or greater. Initially, the stalling occurred occasionally. Ever since the vehicle was repaired on june 28, 2009, the stalling occurs every other day. The contact feels that this is a serious safety issue. The failure mileage was 92,000. Updated 08/04/09 the mechanic stated the crankshaft sensor was causing the vehicle to shut down. Updated 08/05/09.