1998 Cadillac Catera Automatic from North America

Summary:

The worst car out there and surprise it's a Cadillac

Faults:

I don't know exactly where to start. Within the first week I had to replace the rotors and brakes pads that was 700.00. Then the seat warmers went out in the front. The sunroof keeps opening whenever it decides to. The water pump was replaced. The valve gaskets, spark plug wires, spark plugs, and O2 sensors had to be placed which was another 750.00. The light is on again for the brakes to be replaced again. The outside strips pop off. Oh, and sometimes the radio works and sometimes it just quits. It spits, sputters, and has a hard time shifting. When you first take off you have to go a couple of blocks or more before it shifts gears and goes. The back of the seats fall off and won't go back on because the screws are stripped. The headlights burn out constantly. Now when I turn on the heat it makes a noise and loses juice. The head gaskets had to be changed. The leather split almost immediately after I bought it.

General Comments:

Never-ending costly trips to the mechanic.

This car should be completely recalled.

Still owe 11,000 and trade-in is now down to 4500.00.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th November, 2003

29th Apr 2005, 11:38

We also have a 1998 Catera. One of the best cars we have gotten. Got is used about 2 years ago only had 40k miles we have doubled that. Only thing that has been wrong is the sunroof does like you said opens, tilt, when it wants to. Nothing else. Would get another one if I could. Really enjoy this car very much, also has the sports shift transmission.

8th Oct 2005, 15:07

I have a 1998 catera and have had the same problems with the sunroof. I can never get it to stay closed. Now it has a cracked head gasket.

21st May 2006, 14:11

You are in the SAME boat as me, have a 98 Catera and from first week started with the sunroof and replacing the lights. The A/C won't work all the way down to the back seat cover, can't get it to stay on. EVERY single thing you listed I encountered also. WORST CAR EVER...

1998 Cadillac Catera 3.0 Liter DOHC from North America

Summary:

A high priced piece of trash!!!

Faults:

My water pump went at 45,000 miles.

The front lower control arms had to be replaced at 46,000 miles.

The horns fell out at 47,000 miles.

The rear lens on the trunk continuously leaks water into the trunk. This was replaced 2 times by the dealer to no avail.

The head light adjustments broke before I bought the car, but the dealer insisted that there was nothing wrong with them.

The rear axle separated at 50,000 miles. Before it separated I had brought it to the dealer complaining about ticking coming from the axle, but they insisted that it was the brakes (my responsibility) and had the audacity to charge me $40.00 to look at it (which I never did get back).

Fuel gage stopped working at 55,000 miles costing $500.00 to fix.

Battery was replaced at 60,000 miles.

Rear axle separated again at 80,000 miles.

The tires were replaced at 43,500 miles and again at 90,000 miles.

A cooling system valve was replaced at 90,000 miles costing $400.00.

Dash lights continuously burn out.

General Comments:

This car looks great.

Although it's reliability is extremely tarnishing to the Cadillac name.

The cabin is very comfortable.

It handles the road better than my previous cars as one would expect.

However it is sluggish off the line.

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

Review Date: 22nd April, 2003

20th Jul 2004, 09:08

Sounds like a car that was in a bad accident and fixed up. None of these things have happened to my Catera. And I don't believe any of these things will happen to any Catera. It was made with the finest quality parts. It was made to be the best car in the world when built. And I think it is.