2000 Cadillac Catera Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine stalling or shutting off, often without warning, sometimes while driving on the highway, at traffic lights or while stopped. Unexpected airbag deployments and premature tire wear are the next most common themes, with check engine lights and overheating or coolant leaks reported less often. Mileage is usually high where it is given, with stalling reports mostly around 70,000 to 80,000 miles, while tire wear is often reported early in ownership.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or shuts off, sometimes without warning

   • 17 complaints (25%)
   • median 75,500 mi at 5.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2012

   Owners describe the engine stalling while driving, at traffic lights or while stopped, and in some cases the engine would not restart. Several complaints say the stall happened with no warning, and some name the crankshaft position sensor, which the dealer reportedly found had failed. Dealers often could not duplicate the problem, and some owners say the failure returned after a repair or a diagnostic visit. Where mileage is given, the stalls are reported between about 69,000 and 80,000 miles, and many complaints do not state mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft position sensor has been checked or replaced and whether any engine codes are stored. On a test drive, check that the engine restarts normally and runs smoothly at idle and at speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine stalled without warning on four diffrent occasions. Last time I was on a hill and at a light. The light turned green and I went for the accelerator only to find the vehicle rolling backwards. Stopped just short of car behind me. All stalls have been at slow speed or stopped.”

   NHTSA complaint #743599, filed 2001-04

   “I would drive the Catera right on the main busy road my car made a suicidal stop! I panic! Immediately put the emergency hazardous lights on. I took it to the mechanic and he said he is reading the sensor are bad, so I spent over $300.00 dollars replacing them, I continue to have the car stop in the middle of the road, I have been very lucky that I have not been hit or in a serious accident. Again I took the car to the mechanic a different person this time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10325517, filed 2010-04
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbags deploy unexpectedly, including while parked

   • 8 complaints (12%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2018

   Owners describe airbags deploying without a crash, including at low speed, while the car was parked, or after an earlier crash. Some complaints describe injuries from the deployment, such as hearing loss, bruising and a wrist sprain. According to complaints, the manufacturer or dealer repaired the system in some cases, while in others the vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. Where mileage is given, the unexpected deployments were reported between about 34,000 and 120,000 miles, and a few occurred while the car was parked or stopped.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag system has been inspected or repaired and whether any airbag warning light is on at startup. Ask for records of any earlier deployment or crash repair, since complaints describe deployments after a prior crash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got in my car, 2000 Cadillac Catera which was stationary in a parking lot and closed the driver door at the same time reaching back to get seat belt and bang an exploding sound. The driver side seat air back exploded, in a parking spot. Causing, lesions, and contusions, on the left arm, and a sprain wrist. Also, scrape and bruising of side, rib area. Also, my boyfriend was in the passenger's seat and he suffered an asthma attack from the dust.”

   NHTSA complaint #10874812, filed 2016-06, 53,000 miles

   “Passenger side air bag deployed while the consumer was driving the vehicle, causing him to loose a portion of his hearing. Manufacturer rectified the problem and made the repairs. Some months later while driving the same passenger side air bag deployed .”

   NHTSA complaint #10119246, filed 2005-04, 48,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Premature tire wear, sometimes despite alignments

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 6,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2007

   Owners describe tires wearing out early, often on the inside edge, and some say replacement tires wore in a similar way. According to complaints, the dealer advised alignments, which owners say did not resolve the wear. Some complaints mention a bent tie rod or a front suspension design problem found by the dealer, and a complaint says the original tire size was incorrect. Most of these complaints describe early tire wear, with the mileage given ranging from about 6,000 to 30,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether a wheel alignment and a tie rod inspection have been done recently, and check the tread for uneven inside-edge wear before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had problem with my 2000 Catera every since I bough it, first the seat would not heat ,put the key in and it would not turn,tires wore out in less than a year,driver side door is coming a part,glove compartment lock broken ,belt broke car ran hot had to get a new radiator,check engine light on ,secondary air injection hose failures,this car has been in the shop more times than out, junk,and g m does nothing to help,water pump went out ,heater coil hose leaking,vaule cover gasket replace , all before 60,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10191850, filed 2007-05

   “Severe inside tire wear. Car is on 3rd set of front tires at 30,000 miles. Dealer says alignment will help but cannot guarantee. Car has been aligned 3 times in past 6 months. Issue is with lower control arms according to others but GM denies it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050994, filed 2003-12, 30,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Check engine light comes on, returns, or stays on

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 61,175 mi at 8.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2009

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on while driving, going off at a stop and returning after a short drive. In some complaints the light stayed on after repeated dealer visits, and parts such as the oxygen sensor, fuel tank, fuel filter and computer were replaced without a lasting fix. The secondary air injection hose is also named as a failure point, and a dealer suggestion was to use regular fuel instead of premium. Mileage is given in only some of these complaints, ranging from about 16,000 to about 116,000 miles, so the warning light is not tied to a specific mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the diagnostic history of the check engine light, including any oxygen sensor, fuel system or secondary air repairs, and confirm whether any engine codes are stored. A scan of stored and pending codes during a pre-purchase inspection can show whether the light has returned.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down the interstate mt check engine light came on I then took my 2000 Cadillac Catera to the shop who gave the information on technical bulletin from your web site # 623422 it is the secondary air injection hose failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10284949, filed 2009-09, 115,759 miles

   “My engine light came on and dealer can't seem to resolve it. They have replaced the fuel tank, fuel filter, bg44k, module, and the car's computer system. To no avail. I now have a check engine light and gas cap light on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10154256, filed 2006-03, 49,351 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant or oil leaks

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2014

   Owners describe the engine running hot, with the oil or coolant warning light coming on, and in some cases a burning smell. Complaints also describe coolant leaks, including antifreeze leaking from the oil cooler, as well as oil leaks. According to complaints, parts such as the radiator and water pump were replaced, and some owners say the problems continued after repair. Mileage is given in only a few of these complaints, at about 80,000 to 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the cooling system and oil cooler have been inspected and whether any coolant or oil leaks have been repaired, and look for coolant or oil residue under the vehicle during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car keeps on over heating, the oil light keeps on coming on because of the over heating and also the car does not always want to start I have to jump it off alot. It is not the battery because I have gotten it checked plenty of time. But when I jump it off the wires get really hot and start to melt so I take them off. Also the dashboard light don't work very well I have to bang on the dash board for them to even barley come on at night.. There need to be big time recalls on this car!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10463481, filed 2012-06

   “While driving the vehicle, the car stalled without cause. When we attempted to stop the car due to the car stall the car spun out and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. This car has been subject to several stallouts while driving at various speeds since purchased in 2002. This vehicle also has problems with not starting when the car is completely filled with fuel. After being filled completely, the car will not start for several days. The vehicle also leaks antifreeze from the oil cooler at a rate of about 1 gallon per week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10058262, filed 2004-02, 80,000 miles

Buying note. For someone considering a 2000 Cadillac Catera, ask for repair records for the crankshaft position sensor and any engine stalling diagnosis, and confirm whether the airbag system has been inspected. Check the tire tread and alignment history, and look for stored engine codes with a scan during a pre-purchase inspection.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.