1997 Cadillac Catera: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · TN

Dt: contact complained about electrical problems. When the hazard lights were on, all the gauges started jumping around, when the headlight switch was pushed forward the headlights stayed on for about an hour or longer. Also, when the key was out of the ignition. After the vehicle was restarted and the control is pulled back the headlights functioned normally, the air condition controls did not work, and the o2 sensor did not respond. The spark plugs and wires havd been replaced.

Filed Aug 4, 2004 · Lights · IL

Misaligned headlamps and foglamps.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Lights · 25,666 miles · MO

The aiming mechanism on both headlights on my 1997 cadillac catera failed and left me with the headlights aimed at the ground and unable to re-aim the headlights. This is extremely common on these headlights, and there is no fix from gm except to buy entire replacement headlight assemblies at $500 each. The replacement units are made entirely differently (and do not fail) so it obvious gm knows the original design was defective.

Filed Jul 3, 2004 · Lights · 35,253 miles · OH

Head light aimers broke, can not adjust head lamps. Plastic parts broke inside head lamp capsule.

Filed Jun 26, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · 34,879 miles · OH

This car was taken to dealer on 2/8/04 for recall 2041, 1037. Two days after picking up the car, the low coolant light came on my way home from work. My husband checked the coolant reservoir and it was over one inch below full, he also checked the driveway for any antifreeze and checked where you put oil in the engine but could not find any signs of external leaks, but a white milky substance under the oil cap. The car has been sitting in my driveway since. I emailed gm about this. This was their response! We have contacted the service manager for dan hemm cadillac, mr. Charlie caroll. He is aware of your concerns with the coolant level for the 1997 cadillac catera. He is willing to make arrangements to have the vehicle towed in. Depending on the nature of the concern it may or may not be related to the recall 02041, and they will need to diagnose the vehicle to verify. He has also informed us that when the vehicle was in for the recall, they did replace parts as necessary. If you have additional questions, we recommend that you contact him. If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our cadillac customer assistance center at 1‑800‑458‑8006. Customer relationship managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to refer to your service request number 1-226247104 in all future communication. If I return this car, let the dealer tow it to service department. I will be told that the reason my car is not drivable is my fault, and will be handed a bill for towing and whatever other charges for them looking at it! I had the car back two days, a total of 374 miles. The car has 34867 miles; I have had a lot of other problems with the car, front end alignment, headlight aimers, brake light switch's, headlight switch, ignition coil pack, air bag system. Even with all of the other things that went wrong, I at least could drive it, until I returned it for a recall!

Filed Sep 29, 2003 · Lights · PA

The 97-99 cadillac catera in my opionion has a bad headlight design. My 6 year old car has broken headlight adjustors. This makes it basically impossible to aim (adjust) the headlights. Replacment headlights are available from the parts department, but the cost about $340 per headlight. This is an excessive cost to consumer to repair. My understanding is this is a very common failure on this car. Headlight assemblies should last the lifetime of the vehicle, not just several years. I consider it a saftey hazard that the headlamps cannot be adjusted.

Filed Sep 4, 2003 · Lights · 46,000 miles · FL

The consumer stated the headlight assembly deteriorated, which caused a misalignment of the headlights. Dealer had been contacted. *ak cadillac refused to pay for the cost of each headlight replacement. The consumer felt this should be a recall. *ph

Filed May 25, 2002 · Engine, Lights · MI

Engine failed going abouy 70 miles an hour timing belt broke, causing complete engine failure, dealer stated that this is a common problem car repaired but still has problems, dealer caused additonal problems when making repair broke bolt in engine cost to repair 800 dealer refuse to repair oil leak on valve cover gasket again dealer refuses to repair all though covered under warrenty. Cadillac refuses to acknowledge problems given the run around on customer service line car was out for 5 weeks at dealer, car has severe vibrations when idled due to repair new dealer unable to determine problem or make repair, headlamps also failed at about 50,000 miles replacement cost $1,000 to many problems to list

Filed Mar 4, 2002 · Lights · FL

When driving at night with headlights on, headlight lens provided poor visibility due to turning yellow. Headlight lens cover is made of plastic. Problem is getting worse. Has contacted dealer who is unable to exchange lens cover from plastic to glass.*ak *tt

Filed Jun 26, 2000 · Electrical · NJ

Vehicle has had excessive failure of the electrical system continually, radio, sunroof, headlight system, dashboard lights, heating and air conditioning would experience problems.

Filed May 22, 2000 · Visibility · MO

Car not cranking, mirrors are not working, seat belt buzzer will not always shut off, transmission still laboring to shaft, driver side seatbelt is not adjusting, head light are still not aimed properly on high beam, replaced stater and battery 3 time,