1998 Cadillac Catera from North America

Summary:

This car was obviously designed and built by engineers with a degrees out of the cracker jack box

Faults:

I've had to replace the radiator and it had a coolant leak also.

The car obviously has a wheel alignment problem, but when I took it to the Cadillac dealership they said I just needed new tires, but gave me an alignment anyway. It still does not drive very straight.

I can't get it out of park right now as I write this. It keeps getting stuck in park.

None of my dashboard lights work.

Sometimes when I put my key in, it doesn't turn, so I'm locked out of the car.

One time the alarm went off for no apparent reason.

My check engine light is constantly on.

The back of the driver's seat has fallen off.

I am seriously tired of the car!!!

General Comments:

No car, especially a Cadillac, should give anyone this many problems.

The car is pleasing to the eye, but not on the pocket.

It is a disgrace, and Cadillac should be ashamed of themselves. I'd be happy to join any class action lawsuit, because this is ridiculous.

My opinion of Cadillac has changed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th May, 2008

1998 Cadillac Catera 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Have patience and you will enjoy

Faults:

Well, where do I start?

I have oil in the water now and the car is parked until my guy can get to it. From what I have found is there is some kind of heat exchanger that has gone bad causing this. I'm guessing about $500.00 to fix this.

Water leaks -- $300.00

Timing chain failure -- $1000.00 (that's a deal)

20 of 24 valves bent when this happened.

If it's been a while since you chained the timing belt get it scheduled asap. Much cheaper to just replace the timing belt.

Rear-view mirror broke -- I took it down.

I think I have a bad shock now.

General Comments:

After all I've had to do I still love this car. It's a great blend of luxury, performance, and room.

You must also understand is that any finely tuned car will require it's share of maintenance.

These cars are a bargain and will go down in auto history as one of the 1st Next Generation Cadillac's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th April, 2008

27th Jul 2008, 23:12

Had water in my oil too. There was a recall for this problem years ago. Your oil separator gasket needs to be replaced. Try replacing your radiator cap first. Seriously!

1998 Cadillac Catera 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

An awesome and unique car

Faults:

Me and my wife just bought our 98 Cadillac Catera in Febuary; it's fully loaded with the heated seats front and back, Bose stereo, chrome rims, and the electric window shade in the rear window.

We've had it for about 7 months now. The car had 72,000 on it when we bought it, and now sits on 86,000.

I've had two problems with it since we have had it.

First the power steering pump went out, so I just bought one off ebay for $75 and changed it myself.

Then just here recently I started getting oil in my anti-freeze, and anti-freeze in my oil. It was either the head gaskets or intake gasket. Bought the part, and me and a friend changed them our self.

We've had some problems with the car, but I don't regret buying it one bit. It drives and handles like a dream, and has great performance!

You're gonna have problems with any vehicle - some more than others, but to all of you who have had a long list of problems, what I don't understand is why don't you get the car fixed and part ways with it, if it's such a pain?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2007

26th Sep 2007, 19:27

What part did you have to get for the oil getting in your antifreeze? its doing it to my 97 catera.

26th Oct 2007, 21:49

I replaced the head gaskets and intake gaskets - wasn't sure exactly which one was causing it to leak, so went ahead and did both since I was told they are both known to go out and cause this problem.

1st Jan 2008, 04:36

The head gasket rarely ever fails on the Omega as the Catera is known as in Europe. Although there are 2 common failure that are commonly incorrectly diagnosed as head gasket failure. The first is the Heater Bypass valve which when it fails causes water loss and over-pressurizing of the cooling system. The other is failure of the oil cooler which causes oil to mix in the water.

2nd Feb 2008, 17:53

Bought a catera, month later the engine blew. $4000 for the engine to be replaced.

24th Mar 2012, 20:51

Heater won't get hot. Can you help me?

Thanks chreitzberk@yahoo.com

29th Mar 2012, 16:27

Make sure its hooked up into your flexifail valve.