IllustrationWHILE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG IN HEADLINER DEPLOYED. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DIVIDER AND THE FRONTAL LAND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONLY PARTIALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJ…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DIVIDER AND THE FRONTAL LAND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONLY PARTIALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
LOST CONTROL OF 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON THE MASS PIKE - HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, CAREENED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
IT WAS DECEMBER I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT ,I WAS SITTING IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WARMING UP THE CAR AND PUTTING EYELINER ON, WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE. WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM AIRBAGS WENT OFF FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL THEN DRIVER DOOR IT MADE MARKS ON MY FACE AND NECK I REPORTED IT TO CADILLAC THEY ACCEPTED WHAT HAPPENED BUT ON…
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IT WAS DECEMBER I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT ,I WAS SITTING IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WARMING UP THE CAR AND PUTTING EYELINER ON, WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE. WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM AIRBAGS WENT OFF FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL THEN DRIVER DOOR IT MADE MARKS ON MY FACE AND NECK I REPORTED IT TO CADILLAC THEY ACCEPTED WHAT HAPPENED BUT ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE AIRBAGS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN DECEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED RECALL 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN DECEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED RECALL 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS).IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CONTAINMENT MODULE FOR THE AIR BAGS PROTRUDED OUTWARD AND WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY,T HE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE RADIO ONLY RECEIVED ONE CHANNEL. IN ADDITION, THE MOON ROOF MADE A GROANING NOISE AND OPENED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE EXPLODED RELEASING SEATBELT, STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SIDE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE VEHICLE. *TR
I AM AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM NUMEROUS TIMES BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO INFORM THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, ONLY TO BE TOLD MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT OR GIVE MY ONE THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. MY VE…
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I AM AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM NUMEROUS TIMES BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO INFORM THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, ONLY TO BE TOLD MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT OR GIVE MY ONE THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. MY VEHICLE IS STILL DEFECTIVE TO THIS DATE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED; ALONG WITH THE 'SERVICE AIR BAG' MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HEAD REST FAILED. CONSUMER, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. *AK...CONSUMER AND WIFVE SUFFERED WHIPLASH. IT REQUIRED SEVERAL MONTHS OF DOCTOR VISITS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. *AK
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.