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

Owner complaints167
Combined18 mpg

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

1998 Cadillac Catera common problems

Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — 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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

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.

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

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

Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, power train, service brakes.

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.