1997 Cadillac Catera Base
W06VR54R5VR182879
Vehicle history report for the 1997 Cadillac Catera Base (VIN W06VR54R5VR182879). White. 80,683 mi reported. Registered in Pa. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN W06VR54R5VR182879
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 1997 Cadillac Catera.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Cadillac Catera, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
🔍 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.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
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 189
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1997 Cadillac Catera.
STEERING
I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND DRIVING OUT OF MY COMPLEX WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN IT FOR TWO DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558736ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TENSIONER PULLEY LOCKED UP. THE TENSIONER STOPPED TURNING. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DRIVE BELT SHREDDED LIKE SPAGHETTI AND THEN MELTED. I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING BRAKES AND THEN HAVING THE CAR TOWED. TOTAL REPAIR COST: $729. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262354ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC CATERA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. ON MAY 2, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ANTIFREEZE LINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,100…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10189683LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1997-1999 CADILLAC CATERA DOOR LATCH FAILURES. PER THE YAHOO GROUP WEB SITE I BELONG TO, CATERA OWNERS, THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS CHRONIC DOOR LATCH FAILURES, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE OR NOT LATCHING. THIS CAN BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY OWN VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED THIS DEFECT. THE LATCHES HAVE PLASTIC THAT BREAKS AND JAMS THE MECHANISM. OR SIMPLY FAIL…
NHTSA ODI #10161420STRUCTURE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER OPENING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE THE TRUNK FELL ON HIM. THE SUPPORTS THAT WERE SUPPOSE TO KEEP THE TRUNK IN THE OPEN POSITION FAILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE LIFT SUPPORTS. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK OR SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO …
1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10145296ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY VEHICLE IS A 97 CADILLAC CATERA AND HAS HAD THE STARTER REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT START. TWO CAR LOTS HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND THEY SAY THAT ITS THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR BUT STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET I'M WONDERING WHY CADILLAC HAS NOT NOTIFIED PEOPLE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I'M BEING T…
NHTSA ODI #10130643ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ON, ALL THE GAUGES STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PUSHED FORWARD THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR LONGER. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTROL IS PULLED BACK THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED …
NHTSA ODI #10130420ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND PERFORMANCE IS STILL UNSATISFACTORY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE REAR TAIL PIPE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10105316+ 181 more complaints on record.
