1997 Cadillac Catera Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 163 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,253miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Cadillac Catera, 7% of the 163 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,253 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer states air bag warning light illuminated. Vehicle checked by dealer who determined that the sensor module failed. . Consumer has since traded the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #8021534, filed 2002-10, 66,000 miles“Consumer's vehicle was rear ended and collided into another vehicle. Upon impact air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8018027, filed 2002-09“While driving at 30 MPH on wet pavement, applied the brakes and vehicle slid and lost control, hitting a tree. Upon impact, driver's side/passenger's side air bags didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #839147, filed 1999-06“While driving at 30 MPH consumer ran into driver's side door of another vehicle, driver's side and passenger's side air bags didn't deploy. Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #837941, filed 1999-06“While vehicle was at a complete stop and consumer shifted gears to move ahead slowly, but the vehicle acclerated and would not stop. Defect caused vehicle to run into a cement pole which resulted in vehicle stopping. Consumer hit pole to avoid hitting pedestrians and other vehicles. Vehicle hit pole head-on, and airbags did not deploy. Consumer was injured in accident, consumer states vehicle accelerated as if the cruise control was turned on, Cadillac refused to accept responsibility of the air bag failing to deploy. Battery has been replaced 3 times. Brakes have been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #884043, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10022481Aug 15, 2007Air bag indicator is on dtc 52 in sdm.
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Cadillac Catera
75 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsTires
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Cadillac Catera
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology