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Model Year Problem Record

Cadillac Catera 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Cadillac Catera: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

163Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
21Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine77 complaints

77 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19976
199812
199923
200021
200123
200242
200315
200414
20053
20061
20071
20091
20141
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.