2000-2001 Cadillac Catera Reliability Score: 7.1 out of 10

97 NHTSA Complaints

0 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

9 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

7.1 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 28 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 27.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall28 complaints against about 27 for similar vehicles

7.1

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20006.7
20017.7

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

L81

3.0L 6-cyl

72 complaints 36.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

electrical

safety systems

wheels tires

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Impala (2006-2016)CHEVROLET Camaro (2016-2024)

Cadillac Catera Unidentified Engine

24 complaints 12.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

wheels tires

engine

cooling

other

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LN2

2.2L 4-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Malibu (2000-2003)GMC Sierra 1500 (2000-2006)GMC Sonoma (2000-2004)CHEVROLET Uplander (2005-2009)BUICK LeSabre (2000-2005)CADILLAC Seville (2000-2004)

+2 more

CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2000-2006)CHEVROLET Cavalier (2000-2005)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac Catera, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 28 owner complaints

Cooling System: 26 owner complaints

Electrical System: 26 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 15 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera

On a used 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (28), the cooling system (26) and the electrical system (26). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera about the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera about the cooling system.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera about the electrical system.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera about the wheels and tires.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera about the airbags and driver-assist systems.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Lexus

2013-2018

9.8/10

3 engines / 209 complaints

4 engines / 35 complaints

3 engines / 178 complaints

Lexus

2019-2025

9.6/10

4 engines / 135 complaints

Lexus

2012-2020

9.6/10

5 engines / 99 complaints

2 engines / 134 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera complaints?

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system.

Is the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera have?

NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac Catera?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Catera have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2001 Cadillac Catera. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 97 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.