AI Damage1999 Cadillac Catera: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Cadillac Catera filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 80
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 15% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 30 complaints (38% of all).
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (15% of all).
- Tires: 12 complaints (15% of all).
- Steering: 11 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 80 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dt: there was a problem with the airbag warning light coming on. When the consumer took vehicle to the dealership they told him the airbag had to be replaced because it was defective. He had the airbag replaced by an authorized dealership.
As car came to a stop, the vehicle lunged foreward. It jumped a curb went through some landscapeing and clammed into a brick building. Engine continued to run after the crash at elevated rpms.
While pulling into a parking space and coming to a stop, vehicle lurched forward and hit another vehicle.
When applying abs brakes system locked up, resulting in a collision in which vehicle hit a guardrail, became airborne, and air bags did not deploy. This vehicle after being airborne, hit a fenced lot and damaged the head lamp.
The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had to be turn off for a while in order to reset the system.
When recharged the headlights remained on again, unable to be turned off. When I managed to exchange a relay, the next problem occurred, the parking lights would not turn off.
My headlight assemblies (sealed beam) on 1999 cadillac catera are broken. These parts can not be repaired - bulbs will burn out in several months due to jarring/bouncing. We have owned this car for the previous 5.5 years and it has not been in an accident. I consider this a safety issue.
The ac/heater went out due to the compressor having to much compression. The sunroof opens and closes by itself or not at all. The vacuum hoses had holes in it which was a recall but not to ken batchleor. The mass air flow sensor hs gone out three times and costs 300 to replace everytime.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,081 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Catera has 67 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 80, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Cadillac Catera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, tires. Total complaints: 80. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (18%), windows, sunroof (11%), warning lights, check engine (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Cadillac Catera?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Cadillac Catera from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.