1997 Cadillac Catera Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 163 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1997 Cadillac Catera, 1% of the 163 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, 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.
“1997-1999 Cadillac Catera door latch failures. Per the yahoo group web site I belong to, Catera owners, this vehicle suffers chronic door latch failures, trapping occupants inside or not latching. This can be an extremely dangerous situation. My own vehicle has suffered this defect. The latches have plastic that breaks and jams the mechanism. Or simply fail to latch or unlatch. I have had both situations. The doors will not open or will not close (latch). I feel this defect has by pure luck not caused (any known) fatalities, but, only a matter of time and warrants a look.”
NHTSA complaint #10161420, filed 2006-07“1997 Cadillac Catera problems, vehicle was in the shop for repairs 4 times in the 6 weeks of ownership, right side front door would not open, left side front door would not open, tail light assembly out, engine caught on fire while driving on beltway (insurance estimate a total loss)”
NHTSA complaint #737277, filed 2000-12Latches, locks and linkages: 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 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsTires
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 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