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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

Steering complaints

28 reports
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83,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Steering

ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST DUE TO A SEAL FAILURE ON THE PISTON THE POSITIONS THE PASSENGER RIGHT WHEEL. I DISCOVERED WHILE SPEAKING TO THE CADILLAC PARTS DEPARTMENT, THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE OF MY VEHICLE, REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. IT APPEARS THEN THAT…

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ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST DUE TO A SEAL FAILURE ON THE PISTON THE POSITIONS THE PASSENGER RIGHT WHEEL. I DISCOVERED WHILE SPEAKING TO THE CADILLAC PARTS DEPARTMENT, THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE OF MY VEHICLE, REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. IT APPEARS THEN THAT CARS WITH A CERTAIN SERIAL NUMBER MAY HAVE HAD SOME ENGINEERING CHANGE WHICH MADE THE PUMP AND RACK AND PINION INCOMPATIBLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MANDATORY RECALL AND REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425104

64,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY AND EVEN SPEED MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT AS IF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD THE BREAK APPLY. ALMOST INSTANTLY MY "STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED" DISPLAY WOULD GO ON AND THE CAR WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THIS WENT ON TO BECOME A REGULAR EVENT WITH EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR OUT. THE MOST IT OCCURRED WAS …

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WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY AND EVEN SPEED MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT AS IF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD THE BREAK APPLY. ALMOST INSTANTLY MY "STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED" DISPLAY WOULD GO ON AND THE CAR WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THIS WENT ON TO BECOME A REGULAR EVENT WITH EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR OUT. THE MOST IT OCCURRED WAS 30 OR SO TIMES IN A 90 MILE TRIP, BUT IT HAPPENED REGULARLY ON LOCAL 2 MILE TRIPS TO THE STORE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE MORE SEVERE THAN OTHERS . IN ADDITION AND OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE BREAKS WERE APPLIED, THERE WOULD BE A "LOUDISH" CRUNCH SOUND AND RESISTANCE TO FOOT PRESSURE THAT WOULD GIVE WAY AFTER THE INITIAL BREAK APPLICATION. THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION "BUZZ" THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THIS ALL WOULD OCCUR. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM INFORMATION I HAD FOUND ON THE WEB ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHECKED THEIR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR A PROBLEM. IT WAS FIXED BY CHANGING A STEERING SENSOR AT A COST OF $430.

NHTSA ODI #10418844

87,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 65 AND 73 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 65 AND 73 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR THE SECOND TIME, AS A RESULT OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10318192

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2010
Steering

LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310166

54,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2009. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ROD FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2009. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ROD FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED $100 OFF OF THE NEXT ROUTINE SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10281827

68,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD HAD COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE INNER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD HAD COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE INNER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10240652

2,000 miles · Jul 23, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10197185

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

13,000 miles · Nov 24, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

RECALL 03V115000 CONCERNING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST, STEERING GEAR OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CURB. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WITH THIS ISSUE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE BREAK LINE WAS BAD AS INDICATED ON THE TRACTION CO…

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RECALL 03V115000 CONCERNING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST, STEERING GEAR OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CURB. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WITH THIS ISSUE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE BREAK LINE WAS BAD AS INDICATED ON THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10091808

16,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO SWERVE. WHILE TRYING TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STEERING SHAFT BOLT BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED TH…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO SWERVE. WHILE TRYING TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STEERING SHAFT BOLT BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10067054

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.