Model year guide

2001 Cadillac Catera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Cadillac Catera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

2001 Cadillac Catera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Cadillac Catera at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints30
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,288

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

2001 Cadillac Catera recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2001 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.

2001 Cadillac Catera common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 30 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.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Air Bags
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2001 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.

What's a 2001 Cadillac Catera worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$1,288
High
$2,200

From 8 comparable 2001 Cadillac Catera listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 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
194.1 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
56.3 in
Wheelbase
107.5 in
Curb weight
3,770 lb
Front track
59.4 in
Rear track
59.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2001 Cadillac Catera. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 187

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 187.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment…

Bulletin PIP5358A · Equipment, Structure · May 2021

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the torque converter of the crankshaft on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmissi…

Bulletin PIP5640A · Wheels · Apr 2021

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by. Technician wil…

Bulletin PIP5163E · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2021

This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the l…

Bulletin PIP5540G · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2021

This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant reductions in driving and fuel use. …

Bulletin PIP5725A · Equipment · Mar 2021

This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D

Bulletin PIP5628C · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2020

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

Bulletin 18NA099 · Equipment · Aug 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller rockers to inspect them. Only replace the roller rocker that is missing needle beari…

Bulletin PIP5226D · Engine, Equipment · Jul 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099E · Visibility · Jul 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that General Motors and General Motors of Canada Company do not support cross border sales. The General Motors of Canada Customer Care Centre is the sole authorized provider of a…

Bulletin PIC5453D · Equipment · Jul 2020

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.

2001 Cadillac Catera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

2001 Cadillac Catera vehicles on record

Other Cadillac Catera model years

2001 Cadillac Catera — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Cadillac Catera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2001 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 2001 Cadillac Catera?

Across all 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, tires, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Cadillac Catera get?

The 2001 Cadillac Catera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 2001 Cadillac Catera worth?

Comparable 2001 Cadillac Catera listings run roughly $700–$2,200, typically around $1,288 (from 8 vehicles).

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