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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.

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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

Equipment complaints

10 reports
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144,000 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Electrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE ECM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10888335

49,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
EquipmentExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND THEN DIMMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND THEN DIMMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEGAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10872979

60,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED, THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE RANDO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED, THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AS WELL AS THE POWER CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING AN ALTERNATOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405510

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2011
Equipment

REAR LIGHTS AND PLATE COVER JUST FELL OFF AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379853

68,782 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. MY ENGINE STARTS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I REPLACED MY BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE IS BROKE. I HAD TO GET A NEW MOTOR FOR MY WINDOW BECAUSE THAT BROKE. I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH T…

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I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. MY ENGINE STARTS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I REPLACED MY BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE IS BROKE. I HAD TO GET A NEW MOTOR FOR MY WINDOW BECAUSE THAT BROKE. I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME CONDITIONS AS ME. WHY ISN'T IT ON RECALL ??? I MEAN WE PAID GOOD MONEY FOR IT SO WE SHOULD GET THE SAME QUALITY BACK !!! I KNOW GM HAS TO REVIEW OUR COMMENTS. THEY JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THERE CUSTOMERS. GM NEEDS BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAUSE THERE SERVICE SUCKS!!!! RECALL....RECALL....RECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373347

30,000 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Air BagsEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

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.

NHTSA ODI #10335086

51,000 miles · Aug 8, 2006
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE BEING APPLIED, CAUSING DELAY IN STOPPING TIME. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS GONE OUT AND HAS METAL GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HAVE TO GET COMPRESSOR REPLACED ALREADY AND IT IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $2300. CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, THE STEE…

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BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE BEING APPLIED, CAUSING DELAY IN STOPPING TIME. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS GONE OUT AND HAS METAL GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HAVE TO GET COMPRESSOR REPLACED ALREADY AND IT IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $2300. CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, THE STEERING SYSTEM SENSOR IS GONE OUT AND IS GOING TO COST $500 TO GET REPLACED. FM RADIO HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE WORKING. THIS IS THE NEWEST CAR I'VE HAD AND THE WORST CAR. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS, I THINK THIS CAR IS A TOTAL DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WAS AT 51000 MILES WHEN THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AND I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THAT IS CLEARLY FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS USED IN THIS CAR IT IS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS, AND IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS WHICH I FEEL NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164890

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2005
Equipment

2003 CADILLAC AND IN THE FIRST WEEK THE AIR COMPRESSOR BURNED OUT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED BUT WHEN I WENT TO RUN THE AIR ALL IT WAS DOING WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS BLOWING OUT 55 DEGREE AIR. YES AT NIGHT THE AIR BLOWS OUT COOL AIR…

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2003 CADILLAC AND IN THE FIRST WEEK THE AIR COMPRESSOR BURNED OUT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED BUT WHEN I WENT TO RUN THE AIR ALL IT WAS DOING WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS BLOWING OUT 55 DEGREE AIR. YES AT NIGHT THE AIR BLOWS OUT COOL AIR BUT WHEN I AM IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER THE AIR THAT IS BLOWN OUT IS HOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING. TO THIS DAY IT DON'T WORK UNTIL NIGHTTIME. SOME GOOD THAT DOES ME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130746

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Equipment

WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS USED THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016083

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Air BagsEquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN HE PROCEEDED AND BEGAN TO SKID ON UNSEEN ICE AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWED: AIR BAGS, ABS BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE ADDITIONAL WINTER DRIVING MODE F…

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THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN HE PROCEEDED AND BEGAN TO SKID ON UNSEEN ICE AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWED: AIR BAGS, ABS BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE ADDITIONAL WINTER DRIVING MODE FROM SKID. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10003812

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.