1999 Cadillac Catera Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 38%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,900miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Cadillac Catera, 38% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,900 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 99 Catera about two years ago and sense then this car is a cardboard box on wheels. The alarm system as gone loopy in the sense that I couldn't start my vehicle unless I cranked it once left it for 15-30 min and then cranked it again. After disabling the alarm system it would only happen on occasion. The AC/heater went out due to the compressor having to much compression. The sunroof opens and closes by itself or not at all. The vacuum hoses had holes in it which was a recall but not to ken batchleor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10247392, filed 2008-10, 60,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140293, filed 2005-10, 67,000 miles“My stopped working I took it to a mechanic and he said you need to call the dealer as soon the mechanic told them the problem they said it was a recall on that car I am angry because I was never notified and now my engine is gone and they fixed my car three are four times here and in texas and never breath a word on the recall I feel they should offer me another car at the same purchase price.”
NHTSA complaint #10078496, filed 2004-06“I brought this vehicle at enterprise used car sales on april 30,2002. I was guaranteed a bumber-to-bumber inspection of the car and was to be in operational condition. After I left the lot with the car; I could only go approximatly a 1/4 of mile before I needed to get gas in the car. That was the begining of the trouble. So far since april of this year I've had to replace all of the tires, brakes, and other repairs that thankfully was still under the warranty. The car had to be towed twice to the dealership. As we speak the car is being repaired again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070309, filed 2004-01“The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, there was a subtle musty oily smell inside the cab of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted, and was towed to a service dealer, who determined that the problem was due to a faulty pulley tensioner in the charging system. The part was ordered and replaced, but the problem persisted. The final determination from the dealer was that the entire motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10175296, filed 2006-12, 118,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10018603Jan 7, 2006Dtc p0411 set for low flow detected from the secondary air injection (sai) system (air pump).
- 10013176Nov 21, 2002Tensioner kits on backorder.
- 10013253Oct 4, 2002Cam drive idler and tensioner pulley and water pump inspect replace program.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Cadillac Catera
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Cadillac Catera
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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