1997 Cadillac Catera from North America - Comments

When I first bought it the next day the AC went out, but the dealer fixed.

The tail lights were not working, it was fixed by itself one night that the brake shift switch broke down. To by pass the switch it was 80 dollars to tow it to a shop, 35 dollars to bypass it.

Check engine light on. It was an O2 sensor. 220 dollars to fix it.

Rattling in the Catalic converter.

Passenger front door if try to open in the moment you are switching to Parking it breaks, I fix it my self, nothing hard. Back passenger door the same thing, fix it too.

Stereo sound quality sux, when I bought the car the speaker were not good, replaced them, sound at max is loud, but not enough, it needs more bass and I'm not a bass guy.

A hose broke between the cooling fan and the engine, the hose needs to be ordered from Cadillac because it's special. Dimension in Diameter is 3/8 of an inch, and about 1 inch in leght, the cost was 21.75.

The fogs light are not working now.

The gauges of oil pressure and the battery at times turn off. I just found out it's a problem in the ignition switch. At time the fuel gauge goes out, just tap on the glass and it goes back to work.

Check engine light on again and lost of power, same problem as before, I think it's going to be the O2 sensor again.

Now beside all this problems please note, I'm 23, I'm always flooring it. In 10 months I have put 18000 miles and always running and pushing it. Since I'm always on the go I really don't maintain it I have to admit that.

Besides all the problems great engine and transmission.

Engine is strong and I love to put it in sport mode, it flight... and don't worry if the road is wet, Traction control will keep you safe. Unless you turn it off then you'll be riding on soaps.

The inside is really nice. I love the power windows... hold it down for 2 seconds and they all go up automatic, no holding down until it completly closes or open, just press and let them go up or down, you keep doing your thing.

Trunk is nice, you can fix like 2 dudes in there.

Yeah I have a Cadillac Catera and I have a problem with the Fog lights not coming on. They did when I first got it, but they don't now. And I have a problem with the shocks, they make a loud noise. And it really bugs me.. Another thing is that when I put my foot on the brakes it has a hard tug to the left and that's not what it is suppose to do. And the fog light in the front is very loose and I don't know how to fix that.. Kt23.

I too have problems with struts and loose fog lights. but besides that it's a really expensive looking car for the price. I like it, but I just brought mine it's a 97/ so I expect to have a few problems that's why I have a warranty for a year and roadside assistance.

I came to this site to see if I could find anyone with the same problems I have been having and possible solutions. Instantly I discovered someone whose check engine light kept coming on whereby the O2sensor was the problem. So, now we know to see if this is our problem also. Now, to check to see if anyone has an answer to my other problem, low coolant light coming on.

I purchased my 97 Catera about 2.5 years ago.

I have had a new transmission, door handles replaced, fog lights don't work, back window loose, struts are noisy, valve gaskets leaked.

I have had these symptoms fixed, but the check engine light came on again today. Can't seem to keep it out of the shop.

My last Cadillac has been a total inconvenience. Would not recommend to my worst enemy. Jax.

I have had my 97 Catera for a year now and the same day I got it the battery died. The fog lights have worked once in the past year and can't figure out how to get it to work again. 3 months after my purchase the car started shutting off in the middle of the street. Found out it was the mass air flow filter, that had to be replaced. The struts are making a whole heap of noise. The catalytic converter sounds like a giant chain is being dragged behind me. Once I drive the car for 10 minutes and stop, my engine coolant is all on the ground and then I gotta fill it up with water because Antifreeze was getting kind of pricey. Power steering leaks out every 3 months. The brake lights work when they feel like it.

MY ADVICE TO YOU IF YOU'RE THINKING OF PURCHASING THIS CAR IS!!! DON'T!!! JUST WALK AWAY, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ALL THE FEATURES THAT IT HAS FOR THE PRICE. LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. DON'T LOOK BACK.

Does anyone knows how to fix the oil/battery gauge clusters?

According to one post, it has to do with the ignition switch, which I took it out one day to fix one problem and has the clusters gauges turned off since then.

I just bought a 1997 cady... well you guessed it.. check engine light on. Well what would you do? I just had oil changed, new tires and hopefully that takes care of it. Any suggestions. Unplugged battery for 15 min.. seemed to work for about one hour. : (

Bought a 2000 Catera it stinks!! Radio works Monday, Wednesday, and most Saturday's. Fog lights do not work, and the sunroof only works when it wants to.

Just stalled in the middle of the road two days in a row. Had to replace the crankshaft sensor - - $400!!

Had to replace the wiring harness around the battery --$900!!

Now my fuel cap light and service engine light will not go off!

Just walk away if you want this car!!!

Just bought 97 catera only has 12,600 miles handles great the temp gauge doesent like to work all the time.

I have a cadillac catera 1997 and my opinion is when you buy a car need check some problems because some times the cars have problems for the years of used.

To the poster with the coolent light on, mine was on for awhile too. Turns out the radiator had a leak. I replaced it, and its been off since.

I too am having the check engine light on, and the stalling in the street. I was told today it is the mass airflow thing and the oxygen censor.

I just got a 98 Catera. I have two concerns that I hope someone can help me with.

1. The leveling light is always on even though I changed the coil springs and rear air suspension.

2. The battery gage seems to be always low. My battery is fairly new and I just changed the alternator today. Still same problem.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 1997 Cadillac Catera. On a cold day I was trying to turn the engine on and then something happen that my four windows are not going up or down.

I took it to the mechanic and Initially he said it was the switches but later he said that it were not the switches. So far he gave up as he said that he followed the exact procedure and did not what to do.