2001 Cadillac Catera recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (9), Wheels / tires (8), Airbags (3), Vehicle Speed Control (3), Electrical system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/22/2013 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE GASKETS, BELTS AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE…
08/19/2010 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
07/20/2010 · Airbags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH , THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICL…
03/09/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
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 L…
02/18/2010 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE GEARS THEN STARTED TO SHIFT VERY SLOWLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,484. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,486.
07/02/2009 · Engine
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/…
04/28/2009 · Engine
CHRONIC FAILURE OF GM PN# 90566947 CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT AND POSSIBLE FIRE DAMAGE DUE TO PROXIMITY OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE HAVE BEEN 3 REPLACEMENTS IN 62,580 MILES. THE FIRST @ 16,586 MILES, SECOND @ 34,503 MILES, AND THE LATEST AT 62,580 MILES. THE LEAKS BEGIN AS AN ODOR OF COOLANT, THEN SPOTS BEGIN ON THE PAVEMENT, THEN FINALL…
01/16/2008 · Wheels / tires · crash
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. *TR