The most-reported Catera run is W06VR52R9WR (1998 builds) with 14 complaints, 3.9× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 36% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 5.7 complaints per run.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac Catera has 93 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 17% of every Catera complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W06VR52R9WR•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R7WR•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R2VR•••••• | 1997 | 1 | 1 | |
| W06VR52R4WR•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — | |
| W06VR54R1YR•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R3WR•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R1WR•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| W06VR52R5VR•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R8VR•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| W06VR52R8WR•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| W06VR54RXVR•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| W06VR52RXWR•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 81 Catera runs has 8 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac Catera the gap between build years is 3.4×: a 1998 car draws 5.7 complaints per run, a 2001 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 19 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 50 | 13 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 55 | 23 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 97 | 17 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 111 | 32 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 5.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2001 at 1.7.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 36% of everything Cadillac Catera owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 135 of 334 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Tires | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | |
| Air Bags | 7 | — | |
| Steering | 1 | — |
The Catera against its rivals
The Catera draws 3.6 complaints per production run; the Dodge Stratus 3.3, the Mazda 626 4.7 and the Chevrolet Lumina 2.6.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Catera | 334 | 93 | 4.5% | |
| Dodge Stratus | 2,111 | 633 | 8.9% | |
| Mazda 626 | 2,225 | 474 | 6.3% | |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 2,178 | 840 | 6.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 334 reports on the Cadillac Catera, 4.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac Catera | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 334 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 15 (4.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 6 (1.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac Catera share of that is 334 complaints over 93 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac Catera VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 334 NHTSA complaints from 93 Catera runs and 0 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Catera production run has the most complaints?
W06VR52R9WR, a 1998 build, with 14 complaints. The typical Catera run has 3.6.
Which Catera years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 5.7 complaints per run and 2001 lightest at 1.7.
Does the Catera get more complaints than the Dodge Stratus?
Yes: 3.6 complaints per production run for the Catera against 3.3 for the Dodge Stratus.
How many Catera complaints involve a crash?
4.5% of 334 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 6 involved a fire.
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