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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

20 reports
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103,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING 70+MPH ON FREEWAY IN FAST LANE. CAR STOP ACCERLATING AND NO RPM THE STEELING WHEEL THEN LOCKED ON ME WHILE IN THE FAST LANE ON FREEWAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY OFF FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11138940

111,992 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED, I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, COULD NOT ENGAGE BRAKES, VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER & STALLED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. LASTLY, THE BRAKES VIBRATE AND THE CAR'S VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH MAY LEAK & START A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11133455

Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Wheels

TRACTION CONTROL ALWAYS COME ON,AIR BAGS LIGHTS ON,CUTS OFF IF IDLE TO LONG

NHTSA ODI #11056283

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR HIGHER A MESSAGE IS SENT ACROSS THE DASHBOARD SAYING TO "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SO SENSORS WERE BAD AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE, WHEN THIS MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD AT HIGH SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE ABS KICKS IN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL, SO THE CA…

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WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR HIGHER A MESSAGE IS SENT ACROSS THE DASHBOARD SAYING TO "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SO SENSORS WERE BAD AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE, WHEN THIS MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD AT HIGH SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE ABS KICKS IN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL, SO THE CAR WILL BRAKE ON ITS OWN AND ALMOST CAUSED A MULTI-CAR PILE UP BECAUSE MY CAR STARTED BRAKING ON ITS OWN OUT OF MY CONTROL

NHTSA ODI #10853912

51,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR SHUTDOWN DURING DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN DECEMBER 2015

NHTSA ODI #10820728

115,909 miles · Aug 2, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WAS ENTERING THE ON RAMP ON TO A FREEWAY AND JUST TAPPED THE BRAKE AND NOTICED AND HEARD THE LEFT FRONT TIRE GRIND AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT REAL HARD. I WAS GOING INTO A BLIND UNDER PASS AND THOUGHT THAT IF IT SEIZED UP AROUND THE BLIND CORNER I WOULD SURELY BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I FIRST THOUGHT THAT A STONE CHIP W…

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WAS ENTERING THE ON RAMP ON TO A FREEWAY AND JUST TAPPED THE BRAKE AND NOTICED AND HEARD THE LEFT FRONT TIRE GRIND AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT REAL HARD. I WAS GOING INTO A BLIND UNDER PASS AND THOUGHT THAT IF IT SEIZED UP AROUND THE BLIND CORNER I WOULD SURELY BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I FIRST THOUGHT THAT A STONE CHIP WAS IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ROTOR. THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY TO A AAA LOCATION ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. THE SERVICE STATION THEN TOOK IT OUT AROUND THE BLOCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. THE PUT THE CAR UP AND THE LIFT AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING THAT WAS WRONG. THEN I TOOK THEM OUT AROUND THE BLOCK REAL SLOW AND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND AWAY. THEY TESTED IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG NO ERROR CODES. THEY I SAID COULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM SAN DIEGO TO SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY NOT DIDN'T MAKE IT A BLOCK AWAY BEFORE IT LOCKED UP THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO MARVIN K. BROWN AUTO CENTER ABOUT A MILE AWAY AND IT WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AND $500.00 FOR A STEERING SENSOR REPLACED. THEN IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AND THE CTS WAS TAKEN TO TUSTIN CADILLAC AND THEY TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS AFTER SPENDING 2 DAYS AT THE DEALER AND $1700.00 LATER THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE NOT ONLY THE LEFT FRONT BUT NOW IT IS THE RIGHT FRONT. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AT ANYTIME AT ANY SPEED. THIS LAST TIME IT FELT LIKE THE LEFT REAR ACTIVATED, THE CAR GOT OUT OF CONTROL EVERY ONE AROUND ME BACKED OFF. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH THE LOCKING OF LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TIRES AND IT DOES SAY DING AND READ " CHECK STABILITY SYSTEM" THIS CAR IT NO LONGER SAVE TO BE DRIVEN AND I WAS TOLD THE LAST PART TO FIX IT IS "OBSOLETE" THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DISABLE THE "STABILITY SYSTEM" BY UNPLUGGING THE FUSES ON IN THE TRUNK ON UP FRONT.

NHTSA ODI #10745675

135,000 miles · Sep 20, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER DAD'S 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON 1ST MARCH 2014 WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. A VEHICLE TRIED TO MOVE OVER INTO HER LANE AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO AVOID THE CAR SHE SKIDDED AND SPUN 360 DEGREE AND CAME TO A FULL STOP IN A "T" POSITION ON THE HIGHWAY IN ATLANTA. AFTER IT STOPPED, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER DAD'S 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON 1ST MARCH 2014 WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. A VEHICLE TRIED TO MOVE OVER INTO HER LANE AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO AVOID THE CAR SHE SKIDDED AND SPUN 360 DEGREE AND CAME TO A FULL STOP IN A "T" POSITION ON THE HIGHWAY IN ATLANTA. AFTER IT STOPPED, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT GET STARTED. THEREAFTER ANOTHER CAR BROADSIDED THE CAR AND KNOCK IT TO THE CURB MOVING THE VEHICLE FORM THE "T" POSITION. HER DAD CONTACTED MARIETTA CADILLAC DEALER A FEW DAYS LATER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE SHUT-OFF AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHECK AND CALL BACK. THERE WAS NO FURTHER RESPONSE FROM THE MARIETTA, CADILLAC DEALER. IN AUGUST OF 2014 I CALLED GENERAL MOTOR (GM) AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE ACCIDENT, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT COULD BE THE IGNITION SLIP-OF-THE-KEY TO ANOTHER POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. A CAROL FROM GM CALLED ME AND WENT OVER MY COMPLAINT, SHE LATER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND SAID THEY WOULD CHECK THE CAR THEN THEY WOULD LET US KNOW IF IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION. CAROL TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE CTS AT THE CADILLAC DEALER IN MARIETTA WHERE AN INDEPENDENT PERSON WOULD CHECK IT. I ALSO TOLD CAROL ABOUT A SHUT-OFF INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED 11/2014 WHERE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN MY HUSBAND MISTAKENLY HIT THE CURB WHILE TURNING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR SHUT OFF ON A BUSY THROUGHWAY. ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2014, CAROL CALLED AND SAID THAT GM IS NOT LIABLE BECAUSE THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND THEY ARE NOT LIABLE, SHE TOLD ME TO RETURN THE CAR TO ENTERPRISE THE FOLLOWING DAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 WHICH WAS DONE. ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 MY HUSBAND RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL NOTICE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637739

92,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

DRIVING DOWN ROAD IT JUST CUT OFF OTHER TIMES IT JUST WOULD NOT START I HAVE HAD IT 3YRS AND ONLY GOT TO DRIVE IT 2 MTHS I REALLY WANTED THIS CAR BUT NEVER KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!ALSO SOME KIND OF SEAL WE HAD FIXED BLEW MAYBE A WEEK AFTER IT WAS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626124

140,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZATION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZATION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 9/10/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10599025

57,422 miles · May 1, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY CAR STALLED TWICE, WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED SIX MORE TIME OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, LATEST AT 82499 MILES. IN ALL INSTANCES, THE CAR STALLS AND THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM APPEARS. AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A MINUTE OR SO IT'LL START BACK UP AND DRIVES NORMAL. I'VE HAD IT INTO SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS AND NO ONE CAN DIAG…

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MY CAR STALLED TWICE, WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED SIX MORE TIME OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, LATEST AT 82499 MILES. IN ALL INSTANCES, THE CAR STALLS AND THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM APPEARS. AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A MINUTE OR SO IT'LL START BACK UP AND DRIVES NORMAL. I'VE HAD IT INTO SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS AND NO ONE CAN DIAGNOSE OR RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED IT'S A SAFETY ISSUES AS IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL POSTS ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586018

Official recalls

4

14V394000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.