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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

25 reports
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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

85,000 miles · May 12, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2003 CTS SINCE NEW. THE BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY FAILED LAST WEEK. NO DASH LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM IS EASILY SEEN. ONE OF THE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER GOING TO THE ABS UNIT BADLY CORRODED AT THE LOWEST POINT IN ITS RUN WHERE THE LINE IS SUPPORTED. THE LINE AWAY FROM THE SUPPORT IS IN GOOD SHAPE SO IT LOOKS …

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I HAVE A 2003 CTS SINCE NEW. THE BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY FAILED LAST WEEK. NO DASH LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM IS EASILY SEEN. ONE OF THE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER GOING TO THE ABS UNIT BADLY CORRODED AT THE LOWEST POINT IN ITS RUN WHERE THE LINE IS SUPPORTED. THE LINE AWAY FROM THE SUPPORT IS IN GOOD SHAPE SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A DESIGN FLAW OR IMPROPERLY IMPLEMENTED DESIGN WITH THAT SUPPORT. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY AND EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MOST OF THE UNDERSIDE BODY AND HARDWARE LOOKS ALMOST NEW. MY DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED A NUMBER OF CTS BRAKE LINES. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM I HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE CTS WHEN IT WAS NEW AS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE FROM YOUR RECORDS. ALTHOUGH REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STILL HOWLS. I EXPECTED BETTER FROM CADILLAC. WITH THAT SAID I THINK GM OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CTS BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330074

120,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

POSSIBLY DUE TO REDUCED BRAKE FLUID LEVELS THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AT WHICH POINT THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM BECAME STUCK BEHIND A PLASTIC UNDER DASH TRAY, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND NO BREAKING. LUCKILY, THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE AT SLOW SPEEDS (BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY), …

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POSSIBLY DUE TO REDUCED BRAKE FLUID LEVELS THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AT WHICH POINT THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM BECAME STUCK BEHIND A PLASTIC UNDER DASH TRAY, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND NO BREAKING. LUCKILY, THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE AT SLOW SPEEDS (BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY), SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE MANUALLY STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DISLODGED FROM THE OBSTRUCTION, WHICH WAS EASY WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND THE OPERATOR COULD LEAN UNDER THE DASH AND MOVE THE PEDAL. AT SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE PEDAL. BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BLED AND ADDITIONAL FLUID ADDED TO REDUCE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL. PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED AS A RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328590

90,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING IN FRAMINGHAM MASSACHUSETTS, THE FRONT BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED MAKING THE CR VERY HARD TO STOP AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. A BRAKE SHOP CHECKED THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE AND BROKEN LOOSE LEAVING ME WITHOUT ANY FRONT BRAKES. IT COST $800 TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REFUND …

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WHILE DRIVING IN FRAMINGHAM MASSACHUSETTS, THE FRONT BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED MAKING THE CR VERY HARD TO STOP AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. A BRAKE SHOP CHECKED THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE AND BROKEN LOOSE LEAVING ME WITHOUT ANY FRONT BRAKES. IT COST $800 TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REFUND ME THAT MONEY AND ALSO CHECK MY CAR TO ENSURE THAT MY BRAKES ARE NOT AT RISK OF FAILING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324348

80,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT HAD DRIVEN 20 MILES AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN SHE ATTEMPED TO BRAKE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE CORRODED DUE TO SALTY ROAD CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH SHE HAD RECEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT HAD DRIVEN 20 MILES AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN SHE ATTEMPED TO BRAKE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE CORRODED DUE TO SALTY ROAD CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH SHE HAD RECENTLY HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP.THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED NO BRAKING FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY BRAKE-RELATED RECALLS AND SHE WAS THEREFORE DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000

NHTSA ODI #10322389

75,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 CADILLAC SAFETY ISSUES: PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE EBCM - ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THESE MODULES FAIL AND CANNOT BE REBUILT. DEALER COST IS OVER $500 WITH MOST DEALERS CHARGING MORE THAN $750. PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT. GM EVEN ADMITTED FAILURE…

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2003 CADILLAC SAFETY ISSUES: PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE EBCM - ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THESE MODULES FAIL AND CANNOT BE REBUILT. DEALER COST IS OVER $500 WITH MOST DEALERS CHARGING MORE THAN $750. PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT. GM EVEN ADMITTED FAILURE OF THE NEON LIGHTS USED FOR THIS APPLICATION AND QUICKLY SWITCHED TO A RELIABLE LIGHT MEDIA. REPLACEMENTS RANGE FROM $250 USED (IF YOU CAN FIND ONE THAT WORKS) TO $500 RETAIL AT GM. BOTH OF THESE UNITS ARE KNOWN HIGH FAILURE ITEMS AND BOTH COST A FORTUNE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL GM DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320012

100,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2003 CTS, APPROX. 1WK AGO THE "ADD BRAKE FLUID" MESSAGE APPEARED ON SCREEN. WHILE COMING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, I PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE NOTICED THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. I CALLED MY HUSBAND,THAT EVENING HE CHECKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE WHI…

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I OWN A 2003 CTS, APPROX. 1WK AGO THE "ADD BRAKE FLUID" MESSAGE APPEARED ON SCREEN. WHILE COMING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, I PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE NOTICED THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. I CALLED MY HUSBAND,THAT EVENING HE CHECKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE WHICH WHEN SIMPLY TOUCH FELL COMPLETELY OFF. IT WAS CORRODED. HE ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PIECE WHICH CAME IN ABOUT 4DAYS LATER, ONCE REPLACED, HE CHECKED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, WHICH WHEN TOUCHED FELL OFF WITH SAME DIAGNOSIS. HE THEN CHECKED THE BACK BRAKE LINES WHICH HE FOUND WHERE MADE AND PUT TOGETHER ENTIRELY DIFFERENT, THUS THEY WHERE FINE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A RECALL SITUATION IN MY OPINION THAT COULD HAVE ENDED TRAGICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311952

74,000 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I DRIVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I NOTICED THE BRAKES SEEMED TO NEED REPAIR (NOT RESPONSIVE ENOUGH) AND THE "BRAKE LIGHT" CAME ON. MY CAR HAD APPROX 70000 MILES AND THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED! I HAVE THE BRAKE LINES THAT WERE REMOVED. A CAR WITH 70K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED BRAKELINES. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK ALMOST 2 WEE…

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I DRIVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I NOTICED THE BRAKES SEEMED TO NEED REPAIR (NOT RESPONSIVE ENOUGH) AND THE "BRAKE LIGHT" CAME ON. MY CAR HAD APPROX 70000 MILES AND THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED! I HAVE THE BRAKE LINES THAT WERE REMOVED. A CAR WITH 70K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED BRAKELINES. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS AND COST $250 TO REPAIR + RENTAL CAR. THIS WAS A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300070

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

20,000 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES. WITHIN 6 MONTHS MY BRAKE PADS AGAIN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I NOW HAVE 34,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THESE BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS FAST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141502

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.