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Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Cadillac CateraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 2000 Cadillac Catera. Most complaints involve electrical system (24) and engine and engine cooling (17). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
67
Top: electrical system
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 2000 Cadillac Catera as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2000 – Sep 2018
  1. Electrical system24
  2. Engine and engine cooling17
  3. Air bags8
  4. Tires8
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  6. Steering4
  7. Fuel system, gasoline4
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Latches/locks/linkages3

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
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

24 reports2 crashes
“WHILE TRAVELING AN 8 MILE TRIP TO MY MOTHERS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO TIGHTEN UP A LITTLE BIT THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR THE STEERING WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AND ITS ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I HAD THE POWER STEERING LOOKED AT AND IT IS FINE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOW ON 24/7 BUT THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE AND WAS JUST RECENTLY CHANGED. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PRODUCED BY CADILLAC IT IS NOTHING BUT A DISGRACE TO THE NAME. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2014Steering, Electrical systemODI 10577831

Engine and engine cooling

17 reports1 crash
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHENEVER HE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURES THAT HAS OCCURRED; HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH COST HIM $100. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10341874

Air bags

8 reports1 crash
“PASSENGER SIDE "CURTAIN" AIRBAG IN SEAT WENT OFF WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING WITH NO CAUSE OR IMPACT WHILE NOT CLOSE TO ANYTHING IN A PARKING LOT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2018Air bagsODI 11128237
All 2000 Catera problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 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 10, 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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2000 Cadillac Catera as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 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

2000 Catera questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Cadillac Catera have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2000 Cadillac Catera problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (24), engine and engine cooling (17), air bags (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Cadillac Catera get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Cadillac Catera at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026