Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Purchased 2001 Catera new from sioux falls cad., sioux falls, sd. With less than 12,000 miles on car, tires were completely worn. Cad. Replaced tires, aligned the wheels which were within cad. Guide. With less than 15,000 miles on the replaced tires, tires were irregularly worn out, replaced at hamil motors of sheldon, ia. Which I paid for. Car aligned and alignment was within cad. Guide. Both alignments were completed by cad. Dealers. Replaced tires wore out within 15,000 miles and were replaced by me from OK one stop in hospers, ia. Car taken to sioux falls cad for another alignment which was within cad. Guide. With less than 10,000 miles tires were again irregularly worn, replaced at morgan tire co. And with less than 15,000 miles blowout while my wife was driving causing much emotional stress for my wife. …
The consumer stated that the tires wore out prematurely. The dealer confirmed that the tie rod was bent out of shape. As a result the consumer had to replace all four tires at 6,000 miles. The left front inside wire was showing.
Tires are wearing out from inside at 6,000 miles. Heard noises and saw premature inner wearing of tires. Reported failure to dealer and tire distributo who were shown old tires and new tires. New tires were purchase at 27, 383 miles.
I have a 1998 and 1999 Cadillac Catera. Both cars have Goodyear Eagle rs-a tires. The 1999 had to have all four tires replaced with less than 25,000 miles. Goodyear paid for the front two because the camber specs given to Cadillac were incorrect. The back two were blamed on the delaer switching tires from another car. The 1998 had both its front tires replaced under the same program but the rear two seemed all right. They were until last night when one of the rear tires went flat. And the other rear tire could go flat at any time. All eight tires have exhibited the same excessive wear on the inside edge of the tread. The steel belts show and all rubber is gone on the edge. The remainder of the tire has tread comparable to your expectations for the milage of the car. Something is wrong either the camber or the tire itself. The flat last night occurred at 75 MPH on I-12. …
I have reported the tire defect to your office in a letter dated April 8th, 2002 and have not heard from you. Bbb auto line and Cadillac have been contacted and are working on a resolution. I have over 30 documented complaints on this vehicle. The vehicles transmission failed on 3/22/02 leaving my college daughter and myself stranded in arkansas. I have not yet been reimbursed for trip interruption expenses. My first transmission complaint was at 7140 miles, 02/02/00. The problems with this vehicle have been on-going and dangerous at times. Can you help? I already mailed your office a detailed package. Will you help?
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!
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Catera years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (19), 1999 (12), 1997 (11), 2000 (8) and 2001 (7) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Catera wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for any Cadillac Catera model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Cadillac Catera wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles; 58% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the tread/belt (8 mentions), followed by the sidewall (2).
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.