Model year guide

1998 Cadillac Catera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Cadillac Catera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1998 Cadillac Catera at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints167
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Cadillac Catera recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1998 Cadillac Catera.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Cadillac Catera common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1998 Cadillac Catera MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Cadillac Catera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
193.7 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
56.3 in
Wheelbase
107.5 in
Curb weight
3,770 lb
Front track
58.7 in
Rear track
59.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Cadillac Catera. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 53

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 53.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723B · Electrical System · Feb 2017

This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.

Bulletin 05-06-04-035D · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2014

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint lamp, Service Vehicle Soon lamp on and/or radio locked, possibly after module replacement. Technician will need to ch…

Bulletin PIC5913 · Electrical System · Sep 2013

GENERAL MOTORS CORP: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT; ANALOG ONSTAR DEACTIVATION. *PE UPDATED 2/17/09. *PE

Bulletin 08089-B · Electrical System, Equipment · Nov 2008

BUICK\CADILLAC\CHEVROLET\GMC\HUMMER\OLDSMOBILE\PONTIAC\SAAB\SATURN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-ANALOG ONSTAR DEACTIVATION. FCC RULED IN 2002 WIRELESS CARRIERS WOULD NO LONGER RE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT…

Bulletin 08-089 · Equipment · Jun 2008

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CATERA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Cadillac Catera

The Cadillac Catera is a compact executive car marketed from 1997 to 2001 by Cadillac over a single generation in the United States, Canada, and GCC.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 Cadillac Catera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

1998 Cadillac Catera vehicles on record

1998 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R6WR054817 1998 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R9WR099265 1998 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R6WR182636

Other Cadillac Catera model years

2001 2000 1999 1997

1998 Cadillac Catera — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Cadillac Catera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1998 Cadillac Catera. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Cadillac Catera?

Across all 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, suspension, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Cadillac Catera get?

The 1998 Cadillac Catera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.