1997 Cadillac Catera: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 2, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 65,074 miles · TN

I purchased a 1997 cadillac catera on jan 31, 2001 from united automax in memphis, tn. From the date of purchase I have had extensive problems with this car. Beginning with electrical problems with the lights. Since then I have had problems with tires wearing out prematurely, heater core replaced, rotors replaced and wearing out again within a year's time. Fuses have blown, radiator fan along with other problems. Numerous recalls and etc. On april 14, 2003 I took my car to bud davis cadillac in memphis and reported that I could smell oil burning. They stated that I needed valve covers resealed and to replace rear main seal. (the work was done thru my extended warranty company). I returned to the dealer and told them about noise coming from the right front end. They in return replaced right and left lower control arm. When I went to pick up the car from dealer I noticed that the noise still existed and informed service agent before I left the dealer's lot. They informed me that it was a bad strut link to which my extended warranty did not cover. After discussing the matter with another machanic (not dealer), he stated that the name of the part was a stabilizer not strut. And not only did the noise exist in the front end, but there was a hissing sound coming from under the hood and that the oil light began to come on and stay on. The mechanic suggested that the hissing noise came from a part that was probably damaged by bud davis cadillac when repairing valves and seals. I then returned to the dealer. I informed the dealer that my warranty company did cover the stabilizer linkage and they stated that the service agent used the wrong terminology. They agreed to fix it and did, but refused to check the source of the hissing sound without me paying for it. It seems that each week or month there are extensive repairs needed.

Filed Nov 5, 2002 · Steering · NE

When braking, consumer states' theres a lot of vibration in vehicles and steering wheel and in the body of vehicle. Took to dealer, dealer states' control arm bushings were bad and needed replacing. Please provide any further information. Ts

Filed May 9, 2002 · Engine, Steering · CT

On january 30, 2001 napoli motors had to replaced left & right outer tie rod ends, inner tie rod end,center link and both outer stabilzer end, on august 20, 2001 as I was driving on interstate i95 south the steering wheel locked on me while on the middle lane almost hit several vehicles been that I could not turned either way, vehicle had to be towed in by roger's in milford technicians there at napoli motors could not figure what was wrong with vehicle when I called the technicians told me that the timing chain caused the engine to blow. On september 10, 2001 vehicle was taken back for same problems, they had replaced the engine but the vehicle kept running ruff. On october 31, 2001 vehicle was back at napoli, november 15, 2001,on february 19, 2002 I was rear ended by another vehicle while at a red light where the other person damage the whole rear of vehicle neither air bag driver or passenger came out all lights in vehicle were on and key will not come out of the ignition, on march 22, 2002 vehicle was taken back to napoli for the key problem and remotes. On may 6, 2002 vehicle was towed to napoli when the technician diagnose what vehicle had this time was the serpentine belt that broke and caused the steering wheel to lock on me again. To be honest I won't even go far with the vehicle because of safety issues. Thank you in advance and hope to hear from this department soon.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Engine, Suspension · OH

Purshased car with 69961 miles for $9935. Second day of purshase in shop for overheating. 32 days after purshase in shop for waterpump at a cost of $420. 3 month after purshase in shop for $1400 for front control arms and rear wheel bearings to get line up. After driving 14300 miles timing belt tensioner broke, an estimate of $8000 for repair. Now a lawn ornament. Can not afford to repair. The dealer (ferris auto center), cadillac, and gm which is in conjunction with the better business burear don't care!

Filed Mar 26, 2001 · Engine, Suspension · NC

Car was making a grinding sound under hood. Was told timing chain tensioner was almost broken. Dlr replaced tensioner, timing chain, and idler pulley. Car has had 6 alignments since 10/13/00. Car still pulls to left and wears out tires prematurely. Car has 47,000 miles on itand has 3rd set of tires on it. Car had a oil leak on valve cover gaskets. Dlr repaired and replaced. Car hesitates and surges forward. Dlr has not found problem. Car has abnormal shift patterns. Sometimes shift down to a lower gear causing car to lose power and speed, then shifts back to overdrive without depressing accelerator. Dlr has not found a problem. There is a sound from rear of car. Sounds like bad shocks. Dlr replaced frame support bushings and lower control arms. Noise still there. There are too many problems to report here. Car has serious problems and has been to dealership for extensive warranty work 9 times within our 7 months of ownership. The last visit, the sealership had the car for 15 days trying to repair the car, and now, most of the same things that were suppose to be repaired are still faulty. Today, the heating system went out. There is no heat in the car now. We will be returning back to dealership this morning. We have written the manufacturer and will be sending that letter off today also.

Filed Sep 21, 2000 · Steering · IL

The tie rod failed, it appeared to have been a stress fracture (attorney for client). Nlm

Filed Aug 18, 2000 · Steering · UN

The tie rod failed causing complete loss of control of the steering (attorney for client). Nlm

Filed May 19, 2000 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Outer tie rods failed, causing the vehicle to shimmy and pull to the left and right. This also caused premature wear of the tires. Dealer repaired problem. *ak

Filed Apr 24, 1998 · Steering · UN · 1 injury

Front driver's side tie rod broke while vehicle was traveling at 35 to 40 MPH.