2001 Cadillac Catera Base
W06VR54R01R032950
Vehicle history report for the 2001 Cadillac Catera Base (VIN W06VR54R01R032950). Gold, sedan/saloon, 3.0L 6-cyl. 110,902 mi reported. Registered in Ca. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2001 Cadillac Catera worth?
What comparable 2001 Cadillac Catera vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
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See this car's exact value →Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN W06VR54R01R032950
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2001 Cadillac Catera.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Cadillac Catera, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 30
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2001 Cadillac Catera.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
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 …
NHTSA ODI #10553358AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA ODI #10350620AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH , THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE…
NHTSA ODI #10344219VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE ACCELERATOR "TOOK OVER" AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. AT SOME POINT THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE SHEARED OFF AND FLEW OFF THE CAR CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL. MY HUSBAND, A FORMER NAVY SEAL, MANAGED TO "MANHANDLE" THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO AVOID A LO…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10318104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE GEARS THEN STARTED TO SHIFT VERY SLOWLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,484. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,486.
NHTSA ODI #10311805ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC CATERA. SINCE MAY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR GREATER. INITIALLY, THE STALLING OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 28, 2009, THE STALLING OCCURS EVERY OTHER DAY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 08/0…
NHTSA ODI #10275683ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHRONIC FAILURE OF GM PN# 90566947 CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT AND POSSIBLE FIRE DAMAGE DUE TO PROXIMITY OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE HAVE BEEN 3 REPLACEMENTS IN 62,580 MILES. THE FIRST @ 16,586 MILES, SECOND @ 34,503 MILES, AND THE LATEST AT 62,580 MILES. THE LEAKS BEGIN AS AN ODOR OF COOLANT, THEN SPOTS BEGIN ON THE PAVEMENT, THEN FINALLY…
NHTSA ODI #10267135WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 55 MPH, CAME UPON DRIVER MOVING SLOW, HAD TO BRAKE, THEN BEGAN TO PASS, FRONT END MADE A LOUD, HORRIBLE NOISE, AND WITHIN SECONDS THE FRONT WHEEL FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, CATERA STRUCK ANOTHER PERSON'S TRAILER AND THE CATERA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. DEALER HAD CAR FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 3 OF THE 5 MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE CAR. *TR
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10215168+ 22 more complaints on record.
