Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Cadillac Catera owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Cadillac Catera. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the tension timing belt pulley failed. The entire system needed to be replaced at the estimated cost of $1,200. After the dealer replaced the parts, they found that the component was not the cause of the failure. The dealer will re-examine the vehicle in a three part order at the estimated cost of $6,000. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the VIN was included in the recall, but the recall was for specific manufacturing plants; therefore, they would not assist. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 20,000. Updated 08/04/09. The windshield wiper did not clean the window, the vehicle had 4 batteries, the oxygen sensor was replaced
Purchased 1998 Cadillac Catera 2/06/04. 64,546 miles. Water pump failed as we arrived home with vehicle. Selling dealer sent vehicle to his local Cadillac dealer, capital Cadillac for repairs. Water pump was on recall. When water pump failed it damaged the main belt and caused it to come off disabeling power steering and other equipment powered by belt. Engine briefly overheated while stopping. Cadillac dealer replaced water pump on campaign 02041 and secondary air injection hose - campaign 01037. The failure does not mention 02018. Car has leaked coolant every since the dealer returned the car to us. The water pump damaged the engine. We want Cadillac to repair or replace it. Cadillac cs will not communicate in writing, stating they only discuss orally. Cadillac has refused to assist or give out any information related to similiar problems.
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.
1998 cad. Catera - no incident started the problems - a mechanic knew it had a bad head gasket before opening the hood or being told why I was there because he said 9 out of 10 cateras have this problem. Consumer reports lists this year and model as a must to avoid car. At 60K miles had a bad head gasket, oil had gone through the system, car overheats, the hoses had to be replaced, it has to be flushed regularly, now at 80K miles, the power steering fluid is leaking, the coolant is leaking, the bearings and brakes are failing, the oil cannot be changed because the pan will break because the cap is welded on because of the heat in the engine. Why wasn't there a recall. This is too young a car to be failing like this. I would like compensation!
Car ran hot. Towed back to dealer. Dealer stated Cadillac had a recall on the water pump. Cadillac replaced the water pump. Dealer paid for belt, etc. Amounting to about $190. Less than a month following the water pump failure, the coolant began leaking. Cadillac dealer charged $950 to replace heater value and a few hoses. 1 week later, car leaked again. Returned to Cadillac dealer. Dealer kept car for two days, re-seated a water hose. 1 week later, car began skipping. Now Cadillac dealer wants to remove hoses, etc. To get to elec spark plug. No estimate of cost yet. I believe all of this is related to the faulty water pump which I understand Cadillac had on recall but I do not find the recall on your site.
I had a problem with coolant leaking into oil possibly due to a bad oil cooler in the engine. The problem was fixed at a local mechanic shop. After a while, sometime in March of 2003 the problem reappeared and coolant is leaking into oil again. It also seemed that somebody replaced the oil cooler even before I bought the car. I had to pay a fortune to repair it the first time and now it's in the shop again and I will see what will happen this time. I am totally disappointed with Cadillac, I will never buy another Cadillac or possibly even GM after all the problems I had with this car. This was my first disappointment with American name car.
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!
While driving at 65 MPH, the tachometer dropped to zero, the check light came on and the vehicle stalled. The consumer was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road, the vehicle was towed to a dealership. The dealership indicated that the timing belt had broke and destroyed the engine. The owners manual indicated that this part shouldn't been replaced until 60,000 miles and replacement is only required if the vehicle has more than one or more extreme cold start. Which hadn't occurred on this vehicle.
Engine complaints in other Catera years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Cadillac Catera?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Cadillac Catera, 46% of the model year's 123 complaints. The component named most often is engine (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Cadillac Catera engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 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 1998 Cadillac Catera engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.