Most common 1998 Cadillac Catera problems
Share of the 123 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac Catera complaints by model year
Best Catera years: 2001, 2000. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998. Compare all years →
What 1998 Cadillac Catera owners say
Engine & cooling all 56 →
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. …
Numerous issues with 1998 Catera. Had timing belt tensioner-pulleys/cam drive replaced last year(3-2002) while under warranty. "service campaign" was issued by Cadillac in sept 2002 for Catera's to have came drive idler/tensioner pulley/water pump replaced with new version. Got vehicle serviced today and was informed that car had another serious problem that needed to be corrected-out of pocket-coolant crossover leaking into oil cooler, and valve cover was leaking oil.....the car runs extremely hot, has poor performance, gets terrible gas millage, battery has low voltage when nothing is left on by mistake, replaced the battery 4 time in two years, A/C had new compressor replaced past summer 2002 still not able to cool car and while in use the car sounds like a tractor, boggs down the perfromance. …
Suspension all 22 →
Both front tires are worn excessively on the insides due to improper allignment. Purchased vehicle used on 1-28-02, and have complained about the front end pulling to the left. Have had a new tie rod put on, but this did not help. New tires were on vehicle when purchased. Drivers side tire is worse, with steel cord coming thru, passenger side tire is worn bad. After looking into this, it seems that the control arm and/or control arm bushings are at fault and that general motors and the Cadillac division are aware of this problem. At this time I have an appointment with GM dealer to have new tires installed and have a 4 wheel allignment done. Tires have approximately 25000 miles on them, rear tires seem fine for this mileage. This vehicle has 68000 miles on it, I am currently looking into finding past owners for more information on this problem.
Car over heating, smoking, steaming. Took to mechanic, was told that engine blew, later to find out oil cooler went. Also just found out my transmissions needs over hauled, no warning, no leaks. Heat regulator has been replaced twice, ignition coil has been replaced, all wires have to be replaced. Engine has and still does run too hot, causing continuous problems with engine parts. Etc. I purchased the car in 2001, purchased extended warranty, that has since ware out. My sun roof does not work, my keyless entry does not work, here it is 2005 and the car only has or around 65,000 miles on it, when purchased only had 23,000, I only drive the car to work and back, and too run errands. Why am I having so many problems with it, I can't even get a dealer to take it as trade in.
Wheels & tires
Numerous issues with 1998 Catera. Had timing belt tensioner-pulleys/cam drive replaced last year(3-2002) while under warranty. "service campaign" was issued by Cadillac in sept 2002 for Catera's to have came drive idler/tensioner pulley/water pump replaced with new version. Got vehicle serviced today and was informed that car had another serious problem that needed to be corrected-out of pocket-coolant crossover leaking into oil cooler, and valve cover was leaking oil.....the car runs extremely hot, has poor performance, gets terrible gas millage, battery has low voltage when nothing is left on by mistake, replaced the battery 4 time in two years, A/C had new compressor replaced past summer 2002 still not able to cool car and while in use the car sounds like a tractor, boggs down the perfromance. …
Bought this 98 Catera new. To be safe from blowouts tires need to be replaced about every 20,000 miles; basically, inside shoulder wear. GM maintains this is normal and will not take any responsibility. Now at 67,000 miles timing belt tensioner pulley failed resulting in several thousand dollars of engine damage ! Very disappointed in this GM product and note the lauded 'Cadillac service'' is clearly false advertising. In good faith we are unable to sell this car. Is this government site of any real use ? Clearly the tire wear safety problem and expensive idler/tensioner fan belt/timing belt problems deserve some consumer protection!
1998 Cadillac Catera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Cadillac Catera a good car?
Based on 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Catera rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Catera at the same age. It is one of the Catera years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Cadillac Catera?
The engine & cooling — 56 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the suspension (22) and wheels & tires (19).
How many recalls does the 1998 Cadillac Catera have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Cadillac Catera. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac Catera?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997 and 1998. See the full Cadillac Catera years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Cadillac Catera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 61,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.