Research · Midsize Cars

1999 Cadillac CateraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Catera. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (28) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
80
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Cadillac Catera as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

80 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1999 – Sep 2012
  1. Engine and engine cooling28
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Tires11
  4. Steering10
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Fuel system, gasoline5
  7. Equipment5
  8. Power train5
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Catera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997163
1998123
199980
200067
200130
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

28 reports1 fire
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2008Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, EquipmentODI 10247392

Electrical system

11 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2012Electrical systemODI 10457147

Tires

11 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Unknown or otherODI 10070309
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Catera
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • Catera
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Cadillac Catera as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Catera questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Catera have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 1999 Cadillac Catera problems?

Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (28), electrical system (11), tires (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Cadillac Catera get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Cadillac Catera at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026