Cadillac Catera tire blowout problems

Filed Sep 29, 2006 · Tires · 13,000 miles · IA

Purchased 2001 catera new from sioux falls cad., sioux falls, sd. With less than 12,000 miles on car, tires were completely worn. Cad. Replaced tires, aligned the wheels which were within cad. Guide. With less than 15,000 miles on the replaced tires, tires were irregularly worn out, replaced at hamil motors of sheldon, ia. Which I paid for. Car aligned and alignment was within cad. Guide. Both alignments were completed by cad. Dealers. Replaced tires wore out within 15,000 miles and were replaced by me from ok one stop in hospers, ia. Car taken to sioux falls cad for another alignment which was within cad. Guide. With less than 10,000 miles tires were again irregularly worn, replaced at morgan tire co. And with less than 15,000 miles blowout while my wife was driving causing much emotional stress for my wife. Tires replaced at morgan tire, alignment completed with morgan calling cad for correction. Stated that it was a design flaw in the catera and nothing could be done to correct this situation. Filed a complaint with gmac - 800‑458‑8006 4 weeks ago, was assigned file #1-431277521, was instructed to have tires brought to cad dealer which was completed by morgan tire co. To hamill motors of sheldon. Dealer was to call cad. With result of tire inspection and I have heard nothing from cad. Since.

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 Jul 17, 2002 · Tires · FL

Tire tread separated. *ak consumer stated that on 8/7/01 the left rear tire had bubble in it at 30764 miles. On 1/16/02 the right front tire had bulge on it at 36267 miles. On 6/19/02 the left front tire had bulge in it at 45169 miles.

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 Aug 6, 2001 · Tires · OH

Orginal equipment tires are the incorrect size for vehicle. According to dealer vehicle was manufactured for european racing. Dealer also stated that a design flaw maybe the cause of tire failure. Please provide further details.

Filed May 20, 2001 · Tires · GA

Two of the four tires were showing tread separation. Metal was showing on inside of tires. All tires were showing wear and tear. *ak (dot number: m6t4 tiresize: p225/55r16)

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 Feb 1, 2001 · Engine, Tires · CA

All four tires were showing tread separation. Metal was showing in front of tires. Also, rear tires were showing wear and tear on inner side of vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak dealer replaced two tires, however would not and hasnot replaced the other two, consumer is requesting that the other two tires be replaced, no specific tire information given. Hot water valve leaking coolant, dealer replaced

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 )