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Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Cadillac CateraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2001 Cadillac Catera. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (8) and tires (5). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
30
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2001 Cadillac Catera as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

30 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2001 – Nov 2013
  1. Engine and engine cooling8
  2. Tires5
  3. Air bags3
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Wheels3
  7. Structure2
  8. Engine1
  9. Seats1

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
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Engine and engine cooling

8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE GASKETS, BELTS AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2013Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 10553358

Tires

5 reports
“PURCHASED 4 PIRELLIE TIRES (PR00523457V) - PIR P6 FOUR SEASONS P235/45R17 ON 2/18/05 WITH LIFETIME ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY. REPLACED 2 TRES 04/08/05 - IMPACT BULDGE ON OUTER EDGE OF TIRES. REPLACED ANOTHER TIRE (TIRE WAS RIPPED/CUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN) ON 11/27/05. AGAIN ON 08/19/06 HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER TIRE REPLACED RIP COMPLETELY AROUND THE TIRE. ON 12-05-07 ANOTHER RIP IN TIRE WAS TOLD THAT TIRES WERE WORN, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (ALL 4). *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2007TiresODI 10211748

Air bags

3 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2010Air bagsODI 10350620
All 2001 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
Regular 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
162218$3,450494
  • Catera
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/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 2001 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

2001 Catera questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Cadillac Catera have?

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

What are the most common 2001 Cadillac Catera problems?

Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (8), tires (5), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Cadillac Catera get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Cadillac Catera at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026