1998 Cadillac Catera brakes problems

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · GA

Faulty braking.

Filed Jun 21, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · NY

1998 cad. Catera - no incident started the problems - a mechanic knew it had a bad head gasket before opening the hood or being told why I was there because he said 9 out of 10 cateras have this problem. Consumer reports lists this year and model as a must to avoid car. At 60k miles had a bad head gasket, oil had gone through the system, car overheats, the hoses had to be replaced, it has to be flushed regularly, now at 80k miles, the power steering fluid is leaking, the coolant is leaking, the bearings and brakes are failing, the oil cannot be changed because the pan will break because the cap is welded on because of the heat in the engine. Why wasn't there a recall. This is too young a car to be failing like this. I would like compensation!

Filed Oct 5, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 14,145 miles · AZ

A/c compressor leaking and A/C compressor not cycling and leaking from the chase valve system. Compressor had to be replaced. *jb updated 01/11/08. *lj the heater coolant valve had to be replaced. The front brake pads and sensor were replaced and the rotors had to be resurfaced. Updated.

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Brakes · 69,140 miles · GA

Mid-june ABS tc warning lights appear in 1998 cadillac catera. Ebtcm diagnosed as failed. Dealer ordered new ebtcm, not available. Cadillac customer service confirms "national backorder" not a single one of these parts in gm warehouse systems, dealer system, etc. Took car to chevy (gm) dealer (7/9/05) to diagnose. Confirm failure of ebtcm; part not available. Called cadillac customer service, e-mailed multiple times. Response remains constant...national back order, no knowledge when part will be available. We must drive car with no ABS, tc, or speedometer (which doesn't work when ABS tc are nonfunctional) and stiff power steering which is also a result of no ABS tc. Neither cadillac nor gm can specify when such part will be available, nor have they proposed a loaner car to drive until part arrives. We are driving a car that, in my opinion, is unsafe should we find ourselves in a situation that requires the ABS or traction control. The speedometer is non-functional and steering becomes stiff due to the failure of this module. Gm needs to remedy this situation. How can they sell cars that they cannot provide parts for. Safety seems to be my problem, not theirs as it is "my" ebtcm that has failed now that it is out of warranty.

Filed Jun 27, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 90,000 miles · MI

1998 catera problems: transmission failed 3 times caused by electronic part mal function; alternator failure; battery has been replaced 3 times; heater and A/C inoperative-burned harness and electronic component; door hinges failed; engine oil leak; vehicle cranks but will not start; premature tire wear; vehicle wanders; front end aligned 3 times in one year; warped disc rotors twice in two year period; differential seals leak; vaoltage meter ambiguos reading; sidemarkers inoperative and corroded; high underhood temperature; remote keys filed; rear view mirrors do not adjust to night driving.

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 27,191 miles · OH · 1 injury

Cadillac catera 1998, driver seat became extremely hot that consumer back was burned. *bf the consumer first had a problem with the seat not heating was back in december of 2000 which was repaired. On previous occasion the consumer had work done. The molding around the windshield was loose, the consumer reported a wobble in the tire, one month later the consumer had a flat tire, he was then told the tires needed to replaced, there was static from the radio, the front pads were replaced and the brake sensor was replaced twice.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · MI

Sensors went bad. Oil currently in the engine, head gaskets gone. Too much play in the steering column. Crank sensor and ignition coil pack repair

Filed Aug 28, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · TX · crash · 1 injury

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. Had to have entire brake system replaced (cost over 800.00) at 34,000, purchased 4 sets of michellan mxv4 tires in last 2 years-inside tread seperation on front tires caused blow out twice.

Filed Jul 23, 2003 · Brakes · 58,200 miles · GA

The brake maintainence warning is defective and insufficent. According the owner's manual when the warning light appears the consumer will need to have brakes serviced soon. The warning light does not appear when the brake pads need changing, which is a warning. The brakes do not have a sensor which causes the brakes to squeal when pads need replacing. Therefore, not giving the consumer the opportunity to make minor repairs before serious damage and injury occur. However, the brake maintainence light does appear when your pads have completely worn out, you now have damage to your rotors, and damage to your cylinders now turning an $200-$300 repair to a $1000 repair. This is unfair and deceitful to the consumer. Discussed issue with gm customer assistant supervisor who basically told me ole' well, too bad-so sad.

Filed May 6, 2002 · Brakes · AL

Rotors have been turned and resurfaced to frequently.