1998 Cadillac Catera: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Oct 31, 2003 · Engine, Tires · 67,000 miles · MD

Bought this 98 catera new. To be safe from blowouts tires need to be replaced about every 20,000 miles; basically, inside shoulder wear. Gm maintains this is normal and will not take any responsibility. Now at 67,000 miles timing belt tensioner pulley failed resulting in several thousand dollars of engine damage ! Very disappointed in this gm product and note the lauded 'cadillac service'' is clearly false advertising. In good faith we are unable to sell this car. Is this government site of any real use ? Clearly the tire wear safety problem and expensive idler/tensioner fan belt/timing belt problems deserve some consumer protection!

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 Sep 19, 2001 · Tires · TN

The cadillac catersa has a design flaw that causes the tires to wear rapidly. The first time there was a problem I noticed a vibration in the car and took the car in to have the tires balanced and rotated. I was told the tires were worn out and there was no need to rotate or balance. The car had approximately 17,000 miles on it and you could see the chords on the inside of tire. Frank kent replaced the tires and I was told it must have been a bad set of tires because everything else was within specs. In july of this year, my wife took the car in to get the tires rotated and balanced before going on a trip to oklahoma. Again, we were told two of the tires were worn out and there was no need to have the tires rotated and balanced. The car had approximately 28,000 miles on it. This time frank kent tells me the catera is within prescribed specs but, it has been discovered the specs, specified for the rear toe in, causes the car to wear out tires in under 20,000 miles even if rotated every 6,000 miles. Frank kent replaced two of the four tires and advised me cadillac will not replace any more tires after 30,000 miles, and we should have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Their manual says 10,000 miles. This vehicle has a design flaw. The window sticker lulls customers into believing the tires on the vehicle are warranted for 50,000 miles and then they wear out and become dangerous in 20,000 miles or less. Worn out tires caused by the design of the vehicle could cause blow outs and death. I would think cadillac would want to fix the problem now rather than later but, they have refused. If there is one accident because of this design flaw that is one too many! We bought the car and paid for it in good faith.we need your help in this unfair problem.

Filed Feb 15, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MA

A number of problems was wrong with vehicle: fog lights burned out fast/ radiator lights came on/steering mechanism malfunctioned, and tires have been changed a few times. Tread separated while making a left turn. Dealer and manufacturer were trying to remedy problem. Consumer wanted dealer/manufacturwer to buy back vehicle.

Filed Sep 23, 2000 · Tires · TX

I just bought the seventh new tire since I bought the catera. I was told the alignment was set wrong at the factory. Cadiallac replaced three tires. They just keep wearing out. I've had three blowouts. Just lucky I didn't have an accident. I am selling the vehicle.( dot number: tire size: p225/55r16 )

Filed Mar 8, 2000 · Suspension · TN

Tire failure addmitttedly due to front end alignment problems. Service bulletin did not correct the problem as tires were unusable at 30,000 dealer adjusted alignment as per sb. The replaced tires were in identical condition at 60,000. Good year would not help because the belts had worn thru inside of tires due to alignment problems (identical problem)...( dot number: )