1999 Cadillac Catera engine problems

Filed Sep 10, 2012 · Engine · 53,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 cadillac catera. 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer in order to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 53,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

I purchased a 99 catera about two years ago and sense then this car is a cardboard box on wheels. The alarm system as gone loopy in the sense that I couldn't start my vehicle unless I cranked it once left it for 15-30 min and then cranked it again. After disabling the alarm system it would only happen on occasion. 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. My upper radiator hose leaks continuously by the clamp. The leveling light will stay on for days at a time. The arm that keeps my drivers door open broke through the door weldings and is dangling in the door. The seals all had to be replaced due to water in the engine. I paid more in repairs for this vehicle then what it originally cost. The drivers front and rear window gets stuck and opens by their selves. The door locks do not lock fully or open fully. The horn will go out all together in the rain. Everytime I take it in they can never read any err codes and it takes me several attempts to explain the issue causing me to get repairs that aren't part of the main problem. There is no camber adjustments in this car so if u hit a curb your screwed. Gas full stop randomly does not work and causes loss of money and gas. Me and my family of 5 have been stranded for hours due to many issues with this car and here in texas with a car that has no AC or heater is a major pain. Anyone who hasn't bought one... Don't!!!! Cadillac themselves took the ducks off the emblem after 99 because they themselves didn't think of this car as a cadillac standard car. When I called ken batchlore they stated there where only two recalls for this vehicle but had already expired and stated there was nothing they could do. I feel something needs to be done about this ignorance. Problems since 06-present.

Filed Jun 1, 2008 · Engine · 34,000 miles · NJ

1999 cadillac catera with 34,000 original miles completly fails on the highway. You lose engine, brakes and steering.

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Engine · 116,000 miles · MO

Our 1999 cadillac catera engine shelled out due to the defective serpentine bearing assembly that general motors elected to install on the 3.0 v-6 engine for this car. Gm is well aware of the defect but refuses to do anything about the problem. When the defective bearings freeze up at highway speeds,it causes a complete engine failure; hence resulting in an expensive engine replacement. Because gm does no longer make the 3.0 v-6 motor for this car, you are stuck with purchasing one used from wherever you can find one. My used engine cost $3,460 to replace the one that was in my vehicle. The miles on the replacement motor was stated to me as 39,000 + miles. My original motor went out at 116,000. If not for the tracking system in my car, I would have been at the mercy of the public while I was 230 miles from home. The only clue that I had that something was amiss was from a faint oily burnt smell just prior to the engine failure. This was explained to me by the dealer that was from the bearing seizure and the serpentine belt. The engine had no known problems prior to the breakdown.

Filed Mar 17, 2007 · Engine · 101,946 miles · NC

Engine coolant temperature warning light comes on

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Engine · 118,000 miles · MO

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 72 MPH, there was a subtle musty oily smell inside the cab of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted, and was towed to a service dealer, who determined that the problem was due to a faulty pulley tensioner in the charging system. The part was ordered and replaced, but the problem persisted. The final determination from the dealer was that the entire motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified.

Filed Jul 15, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 86,900 miles · TX

Engine shut off without warning while traveling at highway speed causing loss of power steering and braking. Problem was diagnosed as defective crankshaft position sensor. Accident was avoided because of quick drivers reaction. Urgent attention requested. Engine would turn over but not start until after 10-15 minutes.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Engine · 67,000 miles · AZ · 1 injury

Car's "check engine" and transmission dash lights intermittently stay on and the car won't start. Sometimes the car will start and move with the transmission light on but the car is sluggish. Two or three hours later the car will start and run fine. This problem was identified a week after purchase (sep 2004) but the dealer couldn't identify a problem. It has gradually worsened, but none more than this evening when my family and I were almost killed! We were driving on an interstate at 70 MPH. No engine lights were on. The speedometer all of a sudden went to zero and I lost all power. An eighteen wheeler missed us by inches as I tried to get the car off to the side of the road. My daughter slammed her head against the side window. Gm and cadillac should be ashamed of putting this product out. They have all but washed and turned their back on catera owners. I am retiring from the u.s. Air force in two weeks after 25 years of service. I get chills when I think of americans who died in wars and contingencies to protect people and businesses like this. I can't believe there isn't one official recall on this vehicle. I've had nothing but trouble with this car from the beginning but none as dangerous as the current problem. I have read story after story on yours and other internet sites about this lemon of a car (1997 to 2001). Tomorrow I will take time off from work to bring this car to the dealer. Everything will be based on their schedule and I will have to find rides back and forth (30 minutes from my work and 45 minutes from my home). They will not be able to identify any dtc codes and I will pay for things that they think is wrong with it. Ironically, my research indicates that the problem may be a crankshaft sensor. They disagreed during the warranty period and did not replace it. It may or may not be the sensor, but someone must be responsible and accountable for identifying and fixing this common catera problem before someone gets killed!

Filed Jun 20, 2004 · Engine · NC

My stopped working I took it to a mechanic and he said you need to call the dealer as soon the mechanic told them the problem they said it was a recall on that car I am angry because I was never notified and now my engine is gone and they fixed my car three are four times here and in texas and never breath a word on the recall I feel they should offer me another car at the same purchase price.

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Engine · MS

Engine oil is pouring into coolant. Replaced engine oil cooler-ended up not being the problem. Sunroof will open and close by itself, and will not work when you try to do it yourself.