1998 Cadillac Catera Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (16.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 20 · 16.3% | No official action | — |
| Tires | 19 · 15.4% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 17 · 13.8% | No official action | — |
| Suspension:front | 16 · 13% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 13 · 10.6% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 7 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 123 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL…”NHTSA complaint 10082094 — filed 08/19/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM…”NHTSA complaint 10049840 — filed 01/15/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE VEHICLE STALLS AND IS HARD TO START BACK UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TEN TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE…”NHTSA complaint 10026917 — filed 07/09/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Cadillac Catera?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 20 of 123 NHTSA complaints (16.3%), followed by tires (19), engine and engine cooling (17), suspension:front (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Cadillac Catera have?
123 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Cadillac Catera have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Cadillac Catera's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
