Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Cadillac Catera owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle failed to start even with ample cranking power. Towed to Cadillac dealership. Problem diagnosed as onboard computer containing emissions control unit. I was advised by my extended svc warranty company that because ECU was involved, repair should be covered under mandatory 8/80 federal emissions warranty required of manufacturers by the fed. Clean air act. (veh. Is six years old and has 61,000 miles).GM takes the position that repair is not covered under the fed emissions warranty but will not provide me a written explanation. I've had the car repaired at my own expense and would like recompense either underthe fed emissions warranty program or thru my extended warranty company.
While vehicle was at a complete stop and consumer shifted gears to move ahead slowly, but the vehicle acclerated and would not stop. Defect caused vehicle to run into a cement pole which resulted in vehicle stopping. Consumer hit pole to avoid hitting pedestrians and other vehicles. Vehicle hit pole head-on, and airbags did not deploy. Consumer was injured in accident, consumer states vehicle accelerated as if the cruise control was turned on, Cadillac refused to accept responsibility of the air bag failing to deploy. Battery has been replaced 3 times. Brakes have been repaired. Consumer states key would not turn the igntion on numerious occasions.
This car has had ongoing problems with various electrical components. The dealer is often unable to replicate the problem while in the repair shop. The car has been serviced for electrical malfunctions of various nature 19 times, and in the repair shop 44 days. It has been out of the shop 2 days and again the door locks will not let us in the vehicle. This started with the rear door lock not letting us out of or into the car. The problem now affects all four doors. They cannot be locked or unlocked using the remote, the key, or manually. We therefore must exit and enter using the windows. The windows (all4) have also malfunctioned. The dash lights ABS, traction control, replace wiper fluid, illuminate when there is not a problem. The o2 sensor has been replaced. The alignment on the wheels has also caused repeated problems and I have replace 4 tires. …
I purchased a 1997 Cadillac Catera on jan 31, 2001 from united automax in memphis, tn. From the date of purchase I have had extensive problems with this car. Beginning with electrical problems with the lights. Since then I have had problems with tires wearing out prematurely, heater core replaced, rotors replaced and wearing out again within a year's time. Fuses have blown, radiator fan along with other problems. Numerous recalls and etc. On April 14, 2003 I took my car to bud davis Cadillac in memphis and reported that I could smell oil burning. They stated that I needed valve covers resealed and to replace rear main seal. (the work was done thru my extended warranty company). I returned to the dealer and told them about noise coming from the right front end. They in return replaced right and left lower control arm. …
Electrical smoldering fire within the dash harness p/n90493373 of my 1997 Cadillac Catera VIN #[redacted]. No actual flames were seen before the 80 amp main fuse opened. I did see the actual harness at the Cadillac dealership and most if not all the wires in the harness had their shielding melted clean away about 1/2". The exposed wires shorted together to cause the fuse to open. I was told the authorized dealership was the only people able to determine if this was a manufacturing failure but that they were not able to actually able to make the determination. They pointed out, its possible that anyone could have done something to contribute to this issue. They would not say if there was any evidence of tampering though, even when asked to look for it. …
This car was taken to dealer on 2/8/04 for recall 2041, 1037. Two days after picking up the car, the low coolant light came on my way home from work. My husband checked the coolant reservoir and it was over one inch below full, he also checked the driveway for any antifreeze and checked where you put oil in the engine but could not find any signs of external leaks, but a white milky substance under the oil cap. The car has been sitting in my driveway since. I emailed GM about this. This was their response! We have contacted the service manager for dan hemm Cadillac, mr. Charlie caroll. He is aware of your concerns with the coolant level for the 1997 Cadillac Catera. He is willing to make arrangements to have the vehicle towed in. Depending on the nature of the concern it May or May not be related to the recall 02041, and they will need to diagnose the vehicle to verify. …
Car would not start. Had to jump start. Dealer replaced alternator and battery. Battery was previously replaced 06/03/99. Oil light above oil pressire gauge came on while driving, and oil pressure gauge moved up and down erratically. Dealer found no problem. Battery cover and was burnt/was brittle and had a white ashey look to it. Engine produces a lot of heat. Dealer replaced cover and tray. Temperature gauge reads higher than normal. Dealership recalibrated ipc for temp gauge. Temp gauge still reads the same as before. Ticking sounds from left and right sides of dash when heat is on. Dealer replaced fan motor twice. Ticking sounds still there and now there is no heat. Disc brake pad indicator lamp did not illuminate when pads needed replacing. Had to have front brake job and replace sensors for indicator lamp. …
Dt: contact complained about electrical problems. When the hazard lights were on, all the gauges started jumping around, when the headlight switch was pushed forward the headlights stayed on for about an hour or longer. Also, when the key was out of the ignition. After the vehicle was restarted and the control is pulled back the headlights functioned normally, the air condition controls did not work, and the o2 sensor did not respond. The spark plugs and wires havd been replaced.
Consumer purchased vehicle on 3/9/03 ,and in April started to experience problems. Vehicle begun to smoke, she took it to the dealer, where she purchased it, and they could not tell her what was wrong. They sent the vehicle to a Cadillac dealership. Currently, vehicle has been cutting off while being driven, vehicle lost power and almost got into an accident because it cut off, and could not get out of oncoming traffic.
The vehicle experienced a slow start when being started in the morning. The dealer replaced the alternator and battery but the problem still exists. The battery failed four times in three days. Nlm the vehicle stalled (in which the vehicle roared for a while), and May have derived from the engine camshaft drive timing belt, idler, tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. Scc
Electrical complaints in other Catera years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Cadillac Catera?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Cadillac Catera, 15% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Cadillac Catera electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Cadillac Catera. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Cadillac Catera electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.