IllustrationTHE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE SINCE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
2003 Cadillac Cts
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cts years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
400–25K
3025–50K
4750–75K
4275–100K
52100–150K
8150K+
219 reports with mileage · 94 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports12 fire reports17 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
36 reportsDRS AIRBAG LIGHT ON ON DASH
AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME REASON THE OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED.
I PURCHASED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS FROM CAR MART IN ANNISTON, ALABAMA ON OR ABOUT MAY 5, 2017. SHORTLY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT, WHICH INCLUDED AN AIRBAG REFERENCE, THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND INCLUDE SERVICE AIRBAG ANDREW AIRBAG ICON. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRBAG ON THE D…
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I PURCHASED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS FROM CAR MART IN ANNISTON, ALABAMA ON OR ABOUT MAY 5, 2017. SHORTLY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT, WHICH INCLUDED AN AIRBAG REFERENCE, THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND INCLUDE SERVICE AIRBAG ANDREW AIRBAG ICON. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER STEERING WHEEL HAD A SMALL CRACK ACROSS IT THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE AIRBAG CONTAINER. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT AN EXCUTIVE OF THE COMPANY WOULD REVIEW OUR CONTRACT AND GET BACK WITH ME ON THIS COMPLAINT AROUND 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF VECHICLE. AS OF TODAY I HAVE HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED EVEN AFTER CALLING AND LEAVING MESSAGES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY.78 WEST WHEN THE LIGHTS FIRST CAME ON AND CONTINUE TO DO SO AT RANDOM TIMES. MY WIFE IS SHORT SO SHE IS ALMOST UP TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I ALSO HAVE A 5 YR OLD DAUGHTER. I AM IN CONSTANT FEAR AND WORRY THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PREMATURELY OR WHEN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAVE CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE ARE NONE. I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE I CAN GET TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
TRACTION CONTROL ALWAYS COME ON,AIR BAGS LIGHTS ON,CUTS OFF IF IDLE TO LONG
ON THE MORNING OF 9/21/2017 I WAS IN A ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF MY CAR ABOVE THE BUMPER WAS SMASHED IN THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BK AND IS TIPPED. NOT ONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF IN THE ACCIDENT. MY SON WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR. BY THE AIRBAGS NOT GOING LOFF I COULD'VE DIED AND MY SON WOULD'VE BEEN MOTHERLESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR PAIN, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR PAIN, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE WORDEN-MARTIN BUICK GMC DEALER (1404 N DUNLAP ST, SAVOY, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
PASSENGER SEAT BELT (FEMALE) ASSEMBLY USING A TAKATA INITIATOR (CYLINDER ALONGSIDE THE SEAT) FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SENSOR FAILURE. DEALER SAYS PARTS IN NO LONGER MADE, NO ONE MAKES AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THE SRS, THEREFORE NO REPAIR CAN BE MADE AND JEOPARDIZES SAFETY AND OMITS THE PURPOSE OF AN SRS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED STRAIN PELVIS BONE AND INJURIES TO THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED STRAIN PELVIS BONE AND INJURIES TO THE WRIST, AND NOSE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Official recalls
414V394000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 2, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
10V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 17, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
Jul 15, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
03V115000 · Steering
Mar 24, 2003
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT COULD LOOSEN, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING SHAFTS CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT AND ENSURE THAT IT IS TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.