1999 CADILLAC Catera Problems & Complaints

1999 CADILLAC CATERA WITH 34,000 ORIGINAL MILES COMPLETLY FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY. YOU LOSE ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING. *TR

OUR 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ENGINE SHELLED OUT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BEARING ASSEMBLY THAT GENERAL MOTORS ELECTED TO INSTALL ON THE 3.0 V-6 ENGINE FOR THIS CAR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE DEFECTIVE BEARINGS FREEZE UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS,IT CAUSES A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE; HENCE RESULTING IN AN EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. BECAUSE GM DOES NO LONGER MAKE THE 3.0 V-6 MOTOR FOR THIS CAR, YOU ARE STUCK WITH PURCHASING ONE USED FROM WHEREVER YOU CAN FIND ONE. MY USED ENGINE COST $3,460 TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT WAS IN MY VEHICLE. THE MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS STATED TO ME AS 39,000 + MILES. MY ORIGINAL MOTOR WENT OUT AT 116,000. IF NOT FOR THE TRACKING SYSTEM IN MY CAR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE MERCY OF THE PUBLIC WHILE I WAS 230 MILES FROM HOME. THE ONLY CLUE THAT I HAD THAT SOMETHING WAS AMISS WAS FROM A FAINT OILY BURNT SMELL JUST PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALER THAT WAS FROM THE BEARING SEIZURE AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE ENGINE HAD NO KNOWN PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *TR

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THERE WAS A SUBTLE MUSTY OILY SMELL INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY PULLEY TENSIONER IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE FINAL DETERMINATION FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

CAR'S "CHECK ENGINE" AND TRANSMISSION DASH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY STAY ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AND MOVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON BUT THE CAR IS SLUGGISH. TWO OR THREE HOURS LATER THE CAR WILL START AND RUN FINE. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE (SEP 2004) BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. IT HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED, BUT NONE MORE THAN THIS EVENING WHEN MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED! WE WERE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. NO ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE SPEEDOMETER ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO ZERO AND I LOST ALL POWER. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER MISSED US BY INCHES AS I TRIED TO GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED HER HEAD AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW. GM AND CADILLAC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING THIS PRODUCT OUT. THEY HAVE ALL BUT WASHED AND TURNED THEIR BACK ON CATERA OWNERS. I AM RETIRING FROM THE U.S. AIR FORCE IN TWO WEEKS AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE. I GET CHILLS WHEN I THINK OF AMERICANS WHO DIED IN WARS AND CONTINGENCIES TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES LIKE THIS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T ONE OFFICIAL RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR FROM THE BEGINNING BUT NONE AS DANGEROUS AS THE CURRENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ STORY AFTER STORY ON YOURS AND OTHER INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS LEMON OF A CAR (1997 TO 2001). TOMORROW I WILL TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO BRING THIS CAR TO THE DEALER. EVERYTHING WILL BE BASED ON THEIR SCHEDULE AND I WILL HAVE TO FIND RIDES BACK AND FORTH (30 MINUTES FROM MY WORK AND 45 MINUTES FROM MY HOME). THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY DTC CODES AND I WILL PAY FOR THINGS THAT THEY THINK IS WRONG WITH IT. IRONICALLY, MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THEY DISAGREED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND DID NOT REPLACE IT. IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE SENSOR, BUT SOMEONE MUST BE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDENTIFYING AND FIXING THIS COMMON CATERA PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!*JB

I HAVE A 1998 AND 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. BOTH CARS HAVE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. THE 1999 HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES. GOODYEAR PAID FOR THE FRONT TWO BECAUSE THE CAMBER SPECS GIVEN TO CADILLAC WERE INCORRECT. THE BACK TWO WERE BLAMED ON THE DELAER SWITCHING TIRES FROM ANOTHER CAR. THE 1998 HAD BOTH ITS FRONT TIRES REPLACED UNDER THE SAME PROGRAM BUT THE REAR TWO SEEMED ALL RIGHT. THEY WERE UNTIL LAST NIGHT WHEN ONE OF THE REAR TIRES WENT FLAT. AND THE OTHER REAR TIRE COULD GO FLAT AT ANY TIME. ALL EIGHT TIRES HAVE EXHIBITED THE SAME EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TREAD. THE STEEL BELTS SHOW AND ALL RUBBER IS GONE ON THE EDGE. THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRE HAS TREAD COMPARABLE TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MILAGE OF THE CAR. SOMETHING IS WRONG EITHER THE CAMBER OR THE TIRE ITSELF. THE FLAT LAST NIGHT OCCURRED AT 75 MPH ON I-12. A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

CONSUMER NOTICED A BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL OF LEFT REAR TIRE AND REPLACED IT, SIX MONTHS LATER RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AT 36000 MILES, AND ONE YEAR LATER LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BUBBLE (VOGUE TIRES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT P225/55R16 .*AK *NLM

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 8/7/01 THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BUBBLE IN IT AT 30764 MILES. ON 1/16/02 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BULGE ON IT AT 36267 MILES. ON 6/19/02 THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BULGE IN IT AT 45169 MILES. *YH

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A HOWLING SOUND AND VEHICLE VIBRATES AT ANY SPEED UP TO 70MPH. AT 12000 MILES GOODYEAR ORIGINAL P225-55R16 TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR AND NEEDED REPLACING. AT 35000 MILES ALL 4 TIRES NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. CONSUMER FEELS TIRES ARE DEFECTED AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

ORIGINAL TIRES, RS-AP225/55R16 94 H; CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW DOT CODE OR NAME OF TIRE. ORIGINAL TIRES CHANGED AT 12000 AND AGAIN AT 35000. DEALER STATED THAT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT GIVE POWER FROM A STOP POSITION UNLESS THE PEDAL IS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.*JB

AS CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FOREWARD. IT JUMPED A CURB WENT THROUGH SOME LANDSCAPEING AND CLAMMED INTO A BRICK BUILDING. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE CRASH AT ELEVATED RPMS. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, VEHICLE LURCHED FOWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, VEHICLE LURCHED FOWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK *SLC

THE RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS IN HARMS WAY IN THE RAIN AND HAD TO TAKE THE CARE 70 MORE MILES, WHILE I COULD GET OUT OF THE BUFFALO AREA TO A SAFE LOCATION FOR THE NIGHT. THE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OFF TILL THE BATTERY WAS EXHAUSTED. WHEN RECHARGED THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON AGAIN, UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. WHEN I MANAGED TO EXCHANGE A RELAY, THE NEXT PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE PARKING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I DID RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT NHTSA HAS DIRECTED TO BE FIXED WITHOUT COST, DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE GM LINES HAVE NOT ADJUSTED AND STILL OFFER ON SEVERAL VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL VALLEY CADILLAC WHO DECLINED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO DECLINED TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGE. SHE WANTS TO CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE INSTEAD OF MAKING THE PERMANENT CORRECTION OF EXCHANGING THE CORRECT THE DEVICE, PROPERLY ONCE AND FOR ALL. I TOLD HER I WOULD CONTACT NHTSA. I ALSO ASKED HER TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CADILLAC/ GM'S LEGAL AND I AM INFORMING MY LAWYER THAT IF I SHOULD DIE, OPERATING THIS VEHICLE, THAT I MY CHILDREN SHOULD FILE A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AGAINST ALL INVOLVED. THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED A COUPLE OF MONTHS EARLIER, FRIENDLY FRED'S IN ERWIN, NY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CORRECTED ITSELF, UNTIL THIS PAST MONDAY, 4-30-12. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OF THE LAST OCCURRENCE BUT I ALSO HAD A OIL CHANGE WHICH I THINK IS THE LATE FALL OF 2011. I AM A DISABLED PERSON WHO CAN'T BE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS FOR VERY LONG. SINCE YOU, NHTSA HAS ALREADY CALLED FOR ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS TO BE REPLACED, I WANT NHTSA TO PROMPT AND PROVOKE GM'S CADILLAC TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I WORK IN THE ROCHESTER AND BUFFALO AREAS AS THERE IS NO WORK IN CORNING AREA. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS CAR WHICH IS VITAL FOR MY SURVIVAL...UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/25/12 UPDATED 06/19/2012 *JS

ENGINE STALLS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*ET

THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER AND SOME SENSORS WENT OUT, THE BAD MAIN COMPUTER WAS ALSO CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATION. *SLC

THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER AND SOME SENSORS WENT OUT, THE BAD MAIN COMPUTER WAS ALSO CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATION. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER SAID THAT WILL REPROGRAM COMPUTER IN ABOUT A MONTH. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALL NUMEROUS TIME. CURRENTLY THEY ARE RE-PROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER (ECU UNIT) AND CLAIM THIS WILL BE THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. *YH

PROBLEMS WITH HANDLING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON 1999 CADILLAC CATERA.*MR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT RESPONSIVE AND ON ONE OCCASION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED ONTO A HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES THERE WAS A CRUNCHING SOUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COIL. *NLM *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *AK

THIS CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. FIRST LEFT, THEN RIGHT. WE HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS WITHIN SPECS BUT WE STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. TWO DEALERS HAVE NOW TOLD US THAT THIS IS HOW THEY DRIVE. I FEAR THAT IT WILL BE THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT, AND AM ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT FOR ANY DISTANCE. YOU MUST HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT AND WITH BOTH HANDS AT ALL TIMES OR IT JUST SEEMS TO LEAP FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER.

CONSUMER STATES POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE, WHICH HAS CAUSED AN ACUTE STAGE OF TENDONITIS IN CONSUMERS RIGHT WRIST AND IS NOW DEVELOPING IN HER RIGHT WRIST.*JB

CONSUMER STATES BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKS UP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, WHICH CAUSES AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED.*JB

ELECTRIC BRAKE FAILURE ON ABS CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STIFF AND NO FLUID APPLIED TO THE SLAVE CYLINDERS.

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED HALFWAY DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE FUNCTIONAL WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND MIGHT RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CHARCTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE, AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT IT. DESIGN FLAW. *AK *ML

DOOR CLOSER BUTTON WORKS WHEN IT WANTS, TO LOCK OR UNLOCK VEHICLE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO WALK AROUND THE FINE A WEAK POINT, WHEN IT WORKS YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE.

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT DIDN'T WORK LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE, CAUSING HER TO HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT, THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT DIDN'T WORK LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE, CAUSING HER TO HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT, THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *SLC

MALFUNCTION DOORS - FILE ON REQUEST

ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED BECAUSE OF QUICK DRIVERS REACTION. URGENT ATTENTION REQUESTED. ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START UNTIL AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. *JB

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AN ERROR CODE.*AK THE DEALERSHIP WANTED THE CONSUMER TO INFORM THEM WHEN THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AGAIN. THEY WANTED HIM/HER TO LEAVE IT WHEREVER IT BROKE DOWN SO THEY COULD GET AND RESOLVE THE "ERROR CODE". ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CODE WAS DELETED. *PH *JB

CONSUMER STATES IT'S HARD TO TAKE THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION AND START THE CAR AT TIMES.CONSUMER STATED IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES SHE WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIXED OR GET HER MONEY BACK. PH CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT TIMES.*JB

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HAD MY SEAT HEATER ON TO WARM THE LEATHER SEATS AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED A PLACE IN MY SEAT. ITS NOT A LARGE SPOT, BUT ITS THERE AND NOW I FEAR IF I TURN IT ON THE CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE. I'VE SPOKE TO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CADILLAC CATERA GROUPS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE USING THE HEATER WITHIN THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT TOO HIGH CAUSING DRIVER TO LEAN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO SEE AROUND THE RESTRAINT.

WHERE DO I EVEN START WITH THE 1999 CATERA THAT I JUST HAD TO TRADE IN THIS WEEKEND DUE TO SO MANY THINGS THAT HAD WENT WRONG WITH THAT CAR. 1ST, WHEN FILLING THE CAR UP WITH GAS, IT WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. DEALER FIXED 1ST TIME, BUT MESSED UP THE GAS GAUGE. IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER. YOU COULD NOT KEEP A SET OF TIRES ON THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MANY ALIGNMENTS THAT YOU HAD PERFORMED. THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU TRIED TO OPEN IT, BUT IT WOULD OPEN ON IT'S OWN AT RANDOM. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 60K AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE *S* LIGHT FLASHING. THE FIRST RADIO WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY STATIONS, THE RADIO WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. 4K LATER AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AT 65K, THE CD PLAYER WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT COMPLETELY LOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO GEAR. AT 90K, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT LITERALLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND BURNED A 4" DIAMETER HOLE IN FRONT BOLSTER. GM STATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT NORMALLY, THEY JUST STOP FUNCTIONING. THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE SEAT AT ALL. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK THE CAR AS THE ACBIN QUICKLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND AS SOON AS I CRACKED THE WINDOW, THE FIRE STARTED TO GET LARGER AS IT GOT MORE AIR TO FEED IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED CYLINDER MISFIRES AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $2500 TO $5000 TO REPAIR IT. I TRADED THE CAR ON 6/11/05 FOR A NEW 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB. I HOPE THAT GM READS THIS AND CALLS ME AT THE NUMBER I PROVIDED SO I CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFO ON THIS. I WAS LITERALLY SCREWED ON THIS CAR. IT WAS A LEMON FROM THE START AND NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE!

CONSUMER STATES KEYLESS ENTRY ONLY WORKS 80% OF TIME. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE FROM THE CENTER DASH.*JB

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA WITH APPROX 49000 MILES ON VEHICLE. FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE SON WAS FILLING VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE AND AUTO FILL SHUT OFF NEVER SHUT PUMP OFF FUEL SPILLED ON GROUND UNTIL PUMP WAS MANUALLY SHUT OFF AT HOSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SON TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE PUMP - HAPPENED AT EVERY PUMP AND TODAY I FILLED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS THREE THREE FEET AWAY CLEANING BACK WINDOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND APPROX 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL SPILLED FROM OVER FLOWING UNTIL I COULD RELEASE THE FUEL HANDLE FROM PUMP. START JUNE 4TH THROUGH PRESENT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. FIRE COULD EASILY HAVE STARTED AND CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE AND OR INJURY OR DEATH IF FIRE HAD STARTED. *JB

THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FROM FUEL TANK FILLER DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN TANK IS FILLED AND THE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLAGE IS DANGEROUS. ALARM AND DOORS DO NOT RESPOND TO KEYLESS REMOTE; CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. DT

AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FROM FUEL TANK FILLER DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN TANK IS FILLED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE. CONSUMER HAS HAD FUEL TANK REPLACED BY DEALER TWICE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

TRANSMISSION CODE AND CLICKING AT 61,000 MILES. *LA

CONSUMER STATES SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON AND THE S LIGHT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKING OFF AS IF IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND APP SENSOR. *TT

I CONTACTED THE BBB AUTO LINE AND SOMEONE FROM GM(MS CASS BRASS) CALL ME OFFERED ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY> THEN ASK ME IF I WAS TAKING THAT AS A SETTLEMENT ADVISE HER NO. I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED R REPLACED. SHE ADVISE ME 2 DRIVE D CAR 2 C IF HAPPEN AGAIN. I EXPLAIN 2 HER I'M REALLY SCARED 2 DRIVE MY CAR . I'M SCARED THAT IT MAY STOP ON ME AND SOMEONE HIT ME & I CAUSE A ACCIDENT> I EXPLAIN THE SAME THING 2 D DEALER WHEN I TOOK IT EACH TIME IT CUT OFF. ON MY 1ST NOTES I EXPLAIN THAT MY CAR JUST CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ON 5-20-00 I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN MY DASHBOARD LIT UP AND IT JUST CUT OFF IT DID IT 3 TIMES WITHIN A 30 MINUTE PERIOD. THE 1ST TIME IT CUT OFF WAS 3-7-00 5896 MILES ON CAR, NEXT TIME 4-28-00 , THEN 3 TIMES ON 5-20-00 THE DEALER SD THEY REPLACE PCM/VMC ALSO SAID PCM REPROGRAMMED, MYT CAR DROVE FINE UNTIL 12-20-00 WHEN IT CUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING THEN ON 12-30-00 IT STALL GOT REAL SLUGGISH LIKE IT WAS GOING 2 STOP BUT DIDN'T. *AK

FRONT TIRES ARE BEING REPLACED WITHIN 10,000 WITH STEEL BELTS SHOWING ONCE THIS MILEAGE IS REACHED. THE OWNER IS BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP "THAT IT IS HER DRIVING". THE TIRES ARE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES WITH ALIGNMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

VEHICLE WANDERED, 3 ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

VEHICLE WANDERED, 3 ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES (SEALED BEAM) ON 1999 CADILLAC CATERA ARE BROKEN. THESE PARTS CAN NOT BE REPAIRED - BULBS WILL BURN OUT IN SEVERAL MONTHS DUE TO JARRING/BOUNCING. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THE PREVIOUS 5.5 YEARS AND IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. AFTER A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT WOULD NOTICE A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANELS. DEPENDING ON THE PRECIPITATION, THERE WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR. THE WATER ORIGINATED FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF MILDEW ON THE CARPET AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

CONSUMER STATES THE SUNROOF STAYS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE SUNROOF OPENED, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE SEAT BELTS DISCONNECTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ANTI THEFT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE REQUIRED CODE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE CD SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE. CONSUMER STATED IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSION CONTROL. TEST. MANUFACTURE WA SCONTACTED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WANDERS.*JB

CATERA'S WILL NOT MAINTAIN FRONT END ALIGNMENT. MANY OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED OUTRAGEOUS EXTREME TIRE WEAR EVEN AFTER DEALER 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS.COM OF OTHER OWNERS WITH OVER 5 ALIGNMENTS. MY SECOND SET OF TIRES WERE STRIPPED TO THE BELTS AFTER ONLY 9000 MILES. THE FIRST SET LASTED 18K BEFORE SCALLOPING.

CAR SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURN OFF FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

I PURCHASED A 99 CATERA ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND SENSE THEN THIS CAR IS A CARDBOARD BOX ON WHEELS. THE ALARM SYSTEM AS GONE LOOPY IN THE SENSE THAT I COULDN'T START MY VEHICLE UNLESS I CRANKED IT ONCE LEFT IT FOR 15-30 MIN AND THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN. AFTER DISABLING THE ALARM SYSTEM IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ON OCCASION. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT DUE TO THE COMPRESSOR HAVING TO MUCH COMPRESSION. THE SUNROOF OPENS AND CLOSES BY ITSELF OR NOT AT ALL. THE VACUUM HOSES HAD HOLES IN IT WHICH WAS A RECALL BUT NOT TO KEN BATCHLEOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HS GONE OUT THREE TIMES AND COSTS 300 TO REPLACE EVERYTIME. MY UPPER RADIATOR HOSE LEAKS CONTINUOUSLY BY THE CLAMP. THE LEVELING LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME. THE ARM THAT KEEPS MY DRIVERS DOOR OPEN BROKE THROUGH THE DOOR WELDINGS AND IS DANGLING IN THE DOOR. THE SEALS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER IN THE ENGINE. I PAID MORE IN REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE THEN WHAT IT ORIGINALLY COST. THE DRIVERS FRONT AND REAR WINDOW GETS STUCK AND OPENS BY THEIR SELVES. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK FULLY OR OPEN FULLY. THE HORN WILL GO OUT ALL TOGETHER IN THE RAIN. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THEY CAN NEVER READ ANY ERR CODES AND IT TAKES ME SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE CAUSING ME TO GET REPAIRS THAT AREN'T PART OF THE MAIN PROBLEM. THERE IS NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENTS IN THIS CAR SO IF U HIT A CURB YOUR SCREWED. GAS FULL STOP RANDOMLY DOES NOT WORK AND CAUSES LOSS OF MONEY AND GAS. ME AND MY FAMILY OF 5 HAVE BEEN STRANDED FOR HOURS DUE TO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND HERE IN TEXAS WITH A CAR THAT HAS NO AC OR HEATER IS A MAJOR PAIN. ANYONE WHO HASN'T BOUGHT ONE... DON'T!!!! CADILLAC THEMSELVES TOOK THE DUCKS OFF THE EMBLEM AFTER 99 BECAUSE THEY THEMSELVES DIDN'T THINK OF THIS CAR AS A CADILLAC STANDARD CAR. WHEN I CALLED KEN BATCHLORE THEY STATED THERE WHERE ONLY TWO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HAD ALREADY EXPIRED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS IGNORANCE. PROBLEMS SINCE 06-PRESENT. *TR

DT: THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD HIM THE AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HE HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD HIT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BUMPER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2004. ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS THE REPLACEMENT PART. *AK

I HAVE A 1999 CADILLAC CATERA. IT HAS BEEN THE MOST TROUBLE SOME CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND READS MUTIPLE CYLENDER MISFIRE. ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR MAIN SEAL AT 60,000 MILES. WHICH WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT COSTED ME $600.00 TO FIX IT. I ALSO HAVE ALOT OF BLOW BY IN OIL. ALSO THE CAMS ARE LEAKING A LITTEL BIT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WHITEKER MURCUREY LINCON IN WEST ST.PAUL MN. I DID NOT EVEN GET A OWNERS MANUEL. I CALLED THEM AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS THE THIRTY DAY WARRENTY WAS UP AND THERE WAS NOTHEING THEY COULD DO. ALL I WANT IS A NICE RUNNING CAR NOT TO GET RIPED OFF. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY JUST TO GET THE MISFIRE AWAY. IT STILL A NEW CAR BUT WITH TO MANY PROBLEMS IT WOULD BE NICE IF CADILLAC COULD GIVE ME A DEAL ON THE REPAIRS. REMEMBER I NOW HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY 7/MO. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD NOTHEING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CATERA. TO LATE FOR WHO EVER OWNS ONE.

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT ENTERPRISE USED CAR SALES ON APRIL 30,2002. I WAS GUARANTEED A BUMBER-TO-BUMBER INSPECTION OF THE CAR AND WAS TO BE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION. AFTER I LEFT THE LOT WITH THE CAR; I COULD ONLY GO APPROXIMATLY A 1/4 OF MILE BEFORE I NEEDED TO GET GAS IN THE CAR. THAT WAS THE BEGINING OF THE TROUBLE. SO FAR SINCE APRIL OF THIS YEAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE TIRES, BRAKES, AND OTHER REPAIRS THAT THANKFULLY WAS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS WE SPEAK THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAD INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE THREE HOLES IN THE CAR THAT HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT, PLUS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE FOUND. WHEN IT RAINED THE CAR LEAKED INSIDE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE FORGOTEN TO ROLL UP A WINDOW. AFTER THE SECOND TIME I KNEW BETTER AND TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ENTERPRISE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT WHEN I EXPERINCED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE I WENT TO INVESTGATE. THE REASON THAT I'M CONTACTING YOU IS THAT AFTER TALKING TO A REPERSENATIVE OF ENTERPRISE, AND INFORMING HIM OF THE SAME INFORMATION THAT I HAVE JUST INFORMED YOU OF; I WAS TREATED AS IF I'M SOME KIND OF INEPT PERSON WHO COULD NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE SIMPLISTIC WORKINGS OF A VEHICLE SUCH AS FLAT TIRES WITH METAL THREADS SHOWING THROUGH, OR ABLE TO NOTICE THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD OR THE SOUNDS OF METAL RUBBING ON METAL. I WAS ASKED REPEATLY IF I KNEW FOR SURE THAT THE BRAKES WERE REALLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED OR IF IT WAS SOME TYPE OF SCAM THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS TRYING TO GET EXTRA MONEY, OR IF I TOOK THE BRAKES HOME AS EVIDENCE. I DON'T KNOW OF TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO REQUEST THEIR OLD BRAKES FOR SOME TYPE OF EVIDENCE. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF THIS TYPE OF INTEROGATION I ENDED THE CONVERSATION REALIZING THAT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE SITUATION.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORKED ON THE FAST SETTING, AND FAILED TO DISENGAGE UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF.*AK WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *TS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBELM WAS ELECTRICAL. *JB

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON. OWNER THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERHSIP. OWNER PICKED UP VEHICLE, AND LATER VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE APPROACHING TOLL TO CROSS A BAY BRIDGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

I HAVE REPORTED THE TIRE DEFECT TO YOUR OFFICE IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 8TH, 2002 AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU. BBB AUTO LINE AND CADILLAC HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE WORKING ON A RESOLUTION. I HAVE OVER 30 DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 3/22/02 LEAVING MY COLLEGE DAUGHTER AND MYSELF STRANDED IN ARKANSAS. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN REIMBURSED FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION EXPENSES. MY FIRST TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT WAS AT 7140 MILES, 02/02/00. THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ON-GOING AND DANGEROUS AT TIMES. CAN YOU HELP? I ALREADY MAILED YOUR OFFICE A DETAILED PACKAGE. WILL YOU HELP?*AK

FUEL POURS ONTO THE GROUND, DOES NOT SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY/ ALARM AND DOORS DO NOT RESPOND TO KEYLESS REMOTE.

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING . DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY DASH LIGHTS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW SPEED VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SHOWING TREAD SEPARATION. METAL WAS SHOWING IN FRONT OF TIRES. ALSO, REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING WEAR AND TEAR ON INNER SIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK DEALER REPLACED TWO TIRES, HOWEVER WOULD NOT AND HASNOT REPLACED THE OTHER TWO, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE OTHER TWO TIRES BE REPLACED, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. HOT WATER VALVE LEAKING COOLANT, DEALER REPLACED *SLC

WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES SYSTEM LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN A COLLISION IN WHICH VEHICLE HIT A GUARDRAIL, BECAME AIRBORNE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THIS VEHICLE AFTER BEING AIRBORNE, HIT A FENCED LOT AND DAMAGED THE HEAD LAMP. *YH

ACCELERATOR DOES NOT GIVE POWER FROM STOP POSITION UNLESS THE PEDAL IS FLOOR BOARDED. IT WILL THEN CREEP UP TO DESIRED SPEED. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAUSE HAS BEEN UNDETECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PRBLEM MAY LAST A DAY, MAYBE MORE MAYBE LESS, AND THEN CORRECT ITSELF . YOU HAVE NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. IT STARTS FROM THE STOP POSITION EVERYTIME BUT ONCE. THAT TIME I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE

THE ENGINE VALVES KEEPS BREAKING. THE CD PLAYER KEEPS READING ERROR. THE RIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT FELL OUT OF ITS SOCKET. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN NOT TURN RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE. NOT TO A DEALERSHIP.

VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL/ ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REAR DOORS WERE NOT FULLY CLOSED AT A TIME WHEN CHILDREN WERE REAR OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PROVIDED NO INDICATION THAT THE DOORS WERE OPEN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF THE DOORS BEING OPENED, THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER THE DOORS REMAIN OPEN AND UNLOCKED. CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE CENTER DASH. THE SUNROOF STAYS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE, IT'S TAKEN 3 TIMES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST DRIVEN, IT STICKS IN FIRST GEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE STICKS, THE DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE ENGINE RACES WHILE COASTING DOWNHILL, THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. THE INTERIOR FLOODED, THE DEALER STATED THE THE HOOD DRAINS ARE CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS. *SLC

THE STEERING SYSTEM LACKS EQUILIBRIUM, LACKS ON-CENTER FEEL AND HAS A TENDENCY TO WANDER. A LACK OF A STABLE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO APPLY TORQUE TO THE STEERING SHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. THE CAR DOES NOT STEER IN A STRAIGHT LINE, A NEUTRAL STEER CONDITION DOES NOT EXIST. THE VEHICLE ROOLS IN A CIRCLE UNLESS THE DRIVER STEERS THE FRONT WHEELS BY APPLYING A TORQUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AND WILL LEAVE THE LANE WITHIN FIVE - EIGHT SECONDS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN THE GM SPECIFICATION AND THE TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR DEFECTS. THREE OTHER BRAND NEW 1999 CATERAS FROM OTHER DEALER INVENTORIES DO THE SAME OR WORSE. GM HAS SAID THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR IS EXPECTED TO OPERATE, IT IS A TWO HANDED STEERED CAR. *AK

UPON ARRIVING AT THE BANK, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. USING QUITE A BIT OF FORCE, I MANAGED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND CLOSE IT. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR, I WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. I CONTACTED ON STAR AND WAS INFORMED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE LADY FROM ON STAR THEN GOT A ROAD SIDE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ON THE PHONE WITH US. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM" AND IT HAPPENS TO HIM "AT LEAST TWO TIMES PER YEAR". THE TECHNICIAN THEN INSTRUCTED ME TO "USE A SCREWDRIVER TO TRY AND FORCE THE LATCH INTO THE PROPER POSITION". WHILE ATTEMPTING THIS, THE SCREWDRIVER SLIPPED AND SCRATCHED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE TECHNICIAN THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD COME OUT AND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DOOR. AFTER AN HOUR, THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED UP AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH A SCREWDRIVER FOR THE NEXT HOUR. HE FINALLY REMOVED THE RUBBER MOLDING FROM AROUND THE LATCH ASSEMBLY AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO CLOSE. HE THEN INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD "TAKE THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO RONALD MORAN CADILLAC AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND PLACED AN ORDER FOR THE NEW PART. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WETHER THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM, THE TECHNICIAN SAID NO. I THEN SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. DAVID BOYD, WHO INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL. I AM APPALLED AT THE FACT THAT SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH IN CASE OF A FIRE OR SUBMERSSION IN WATER, THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. I HOPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN SEE MY POINT OF VIEW AND RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. *AK