Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Cadillac Catera, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 15% |
| Air bags | 8 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 12% |
| Tires | 5 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
PASSENGER SIDE "CURTAIN" AIRBAG IN SEAT WENT OFF WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING WITH NO CAUSE OR IMPACT WHILE NOT CLOSE TO ANYTHING IN A PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I GOT IN MY CAR, 2000 CADILLAC CATERA WHICH WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AT THE SAME TIME REACHING BACK TO GET SEAT BELT AND "BANG" AN EXPLODING SOUND. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BACK EXPLOD
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
OIL COOLER GAVE OUT CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? IF YES, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A CLAIM? *TT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AN 8 MILE TRIP TO MY MOTHERS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO TIGHTEN UP A LITTLE BIT THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR KEEPS ON OVER HEATING, THE OIL LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON BECAUSE OF THE OVER HEATING AND ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS WANT TO START I HAVE TO JUMP IT OFF ALOT. IT IS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC CATERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED. THE CONTACT SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 10 of them (15%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.