Model year guide

1999 Cadillac Catera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Cadillac Catera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

1999 Cadillac Catera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Cadillac Catera at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints99
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,380

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

1999 Cadillac Catera recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1999 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.

1999 Cadillac Catera common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 99 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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1999 Cadillac Catera MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

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

What's a 1999 Cadillac Catera worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,380
High
$2,800

From 5 comparable 1999 Cadillac Catera listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Cadillac Catera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

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 1999 Cadillac Catera. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 50

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 50.

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 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 PIC4696B · Equipment · Dec 2015

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission may not be the same as Original equipment manufacturer quick connect verses inverte…

Bulletin PIP5346 · Equipment, Power Train · Nov 2015

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 PIC4696A · Equipment · Oct 2015

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

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.

1999 Cadillac Catera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

1999 Cadillac Catera vehicles on record

Other Cadillac Catera model years

1999 Cadillac Catera — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Cadillac Catera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1999 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 1999 Cadillac Catera?

Across all 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Cadillac Catera get?

The 1999 Cadillac Catera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 1999 Cadillac Catera worth?

Comparable 1999 Cadillac Catera listings run roughly $600–$2,800, typically around $1,380 (from 5 vehicles).

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