Cadillac Catera loss of power problems

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Electrical · 70,484 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 cadillac catera. The contact stated that the odometer stopped working when the traction control light and the ABS light was illuminated. The vehicle also lost power when the warning lights came on. The gears then started to shift very slowly. The failure mileage was 70,484. The current mileage was 70,486.

Filed Jul 2, 2009 · Engine, Fuel system · 20,654 miles · FL

The tensioner pulley & timing belt was a know defect for vehicle and was recalled but I was never notified, at the time of failure I lost all power & control of the vehicle on an decline in a high traffic location in a server rain storm. Vehicle is now doa and gm refuses to remedy tues evening 6/23 the check engine light goes on, in 30-45 seconds the car stopped running, earlier in the day I heard a knock and thought I ran over something as all gauges indicated everything was running normal. Had aaa tow it to my home and next day (wed.) to the caddy dealer. They charge me $109 to assess the problem, then tell me the timing belt broke! It will cost another $600 labor for 5 hours of inspection to check the problem and depending what they find $$$$$$ to fix, daaaaa! I call the service manager he tells me he'll check it out and call me back. Ok so now he calls me and tell me the rep miss-quoted what they were going to do. Now it's the tension pulley that failed casing the timing belt to snap, to replace the whole set is $699 + labor and suggested I invest another $150 to change the coolant pump as it's showing signs of leakage at the same time so it doesn't run me additional costs later as it's in the same part of the engine as the pulley and belt. Grand total of $1207 + tax. "but" depending on what happens after they replace the tensioner pulley & timing belt there might be additional cost if the car still will not start. Ok so I tell him to go ahead. I decided to goggle the problem to see what it is I am paying for, hellllllo! What do I find but a major recall back in 9/2002 on the tensioner pulley failure causing the timing belt to snap!!!!!!!!! & the replacement of the coolant pump. I was never notified or advised of this recall. They never told me anything every time I brought the car in for service. I only have only 20,654 miles on the car, as it's my 2nd vehicle and use it locally for shopping. Normal replacement for the timing belt & tensioner pulley is 70k mi.

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 Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 47,000 miles · IA

While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power. Consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed to dealership but the problem was not resolved.*ak the consumer stated a recall was performed on the vehicle regarding the timing, but the recall repair failed. *jb

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Electrical · VA

Consumer purchased vehicle on 3/9/03 ,and in april started to experience problems. Vehicle begun to smoke, she took it to the dealer, where she purchased it, and they could not tell her what was wrong. They sent the vehicle to a cadillac dealership. Currently, vehicle has been cutting off while being driven, vehicle lost power and almost got into an accident because it cut off, and could not get out of oncoming traffic.

Filed Jan 6, 2003 · Engine · WV

Consumer states while driving 50mph the engine shut down causing lost of power steering . Ph

Filed Apr 2, 2002 · Engine · FL

Engine damage was due to a bad timing belt tensioner that caused timing belt to come off causing the car to suddenly stop in the left lane on I-75 going going 75 MPH. The results of this was bent intake valves, therefore making the heads not replaceable. I had to replace the engine. I've also have found out that cadillac is well aware of this problem becasue thay now have a kit to take care of this problem. What I don't understand is that if they knew thay had a problem whay didn't they issue a recall. Going 75 miles per hour and suddenly losing all power on a very busy interstate could be very dangerous. My father and I were very fortunate not to have had a serious wreck in the left lane. I have filed a complaint against cadillac on this issue. The cost of this faulty part of gm/\cadillac has cost me $5826. Plus a week without a vehicle.c00.

Filed Mar 3, 2002 · Engine · TN

Was driving in the left lane climbing a mountain on interstate 24 about 60 MPH when I noticed the car felt funny. Proceeded to get back into right lane just as I lost all power. Was able to get on the shoulder safely. Had to have my car towed 45 miles away to a cadillac dealership only to be given an estimate of $12,000. They told me the timing chain had broke and caused the entire engine to blow. The service advisor also told me there had been numerous reports to cadillac for the same problem on the catera. Cadillac customer service has refused to make the necessary repairs even though the owner's manual says the timing belt shouldn't have to be changed for 100,000 miles or 96 mos whichever comes first. This is definitely a safety hazard! If I had been going down this mountain instead of up there is no doubt in my mind I would have been in a serious accident. Please help! Cadillac needs to do something before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Filed Feb 8, 2002 · Engine · KY

While driving at highway speeds engine check light illuminated. Driver lost power of engine, making it hard to brakes and steer vehicle. Driver had vehicle towed to dealer, and dealer stated timing belt tensioner had failed. Please provide any further information.