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Exterior lightingPart report

1998 Cadillac Catera Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 123 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Cadillac Catera, 5% of the 123 complaints for this model year.

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.

“I have had so many problems with this car and they just keep piling up. I just replaced the head gasket and valve cover gaskets a month ago and now my oil pressure is failing. My service writter tells me this car is notorius for problems with the engine, specifically the way it handles oil and cooling. I sent a letter to Cadillac when I had probles a month ago but have heard nothing. Is there anything I can do?”

NHTSA complaint #10067764, filed 2004-04

“Brake insp.brake replaced3/9/00;check engine light on 5/12/00-fuel injector dirty, replace sensor; left window slow in operation - 6/23/00;ingintion remote key not working- two replacement 6/23/00;car jerking in sport mode, prblems with headlights, sunroof slides back an forth without turning dial,recall on engine check pulley 7/05/000; check engine light on car stalls7/31/00; vibration on acceleration told nothing wrong with car but tires, replace two front tires, I was told to replace tire rods. I ask for a rea susp. …”

NHTSA complaint #751086, filed 2001-08

“Ongoing/ intermittent problem with headlights intermittently going out while in operation, causing poor visibility at night and could cause a vehicle collision. Vehicle been in dealer shop on several occasions, and problem still occurring.”

NHTSA complaint #854261, filed 2000-01

“Due to a defect in front aligment tires wore excessively. The rotors were turned and resurfaced several times. The brakes pulsate, squeak and go too low to the floor. The third set of tires that were on the vehicle were wearing out due to an alignment problem, also another tire was leaking air. The passenger rear door handle broke and the driver's rear door hinge was unstable, also the driver's door lock sticks. The wipers scrub. The steering column makes noise. The right side head light shines too high.”

NHTSA complaint #8009295, filed 2002-05

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200034%
199934%
199865%
19971610%

Other parts of the 1998 Cadillac Catera

Engine cooling
56 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Tires
19 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Seats
7 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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