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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

What owners actually said

313 reports
40,000 miles · Aug 14, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 52,000. MILES ..I BOUGHT IT NEW /DEMO WITH 4,000. MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP 4X. THE STABILITY ENGAGED SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATES. THEY CAN NOT FIX AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL A…

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I HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 52,000. MILES ..I BOUGHT IT NEW /DEMO WITH 4,000. MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP 4X. THE STABILITY ENGAGED SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATES. THEY CAN NOT FIX AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL AREAS OF FRONT END. SSE LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND IS NOW MORE FREQUENT. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED 6X IN 20 MIN. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THEN UPON BRAKE PRESSURE, VIBRATING PEDAL, ABS ENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS TO TRY TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM IS INCREASING AND THE CAR PULLING AND VIBRATING IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS THAT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO DEMAND THIS PROBLEM BE REPAIRED?YOU HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY NUMEROUS AND GM IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM OR WORSE YET THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT...PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349318

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE; ESPECIALLY ON THE GAS AND BRAKE LINES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10347673

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2010
Air BagsInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10346104

13,300 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS WHICH WAS REPAIRED. HE IS NOW EXPERIENCING CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES HOSES AND FUEL HOSES…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS WHICH WAS REPAIRED. HE IS NOW EXPERIENCING CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES HOSES AND FUEL HOSES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13300. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE CALIPERS. UPDATED 10/07/10

NHTSA ODI #10344933

130,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS REPLACED. DURING A TEST DRIVE, THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS REPLACED. DURING A TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ANTI-THEFT AND ON -STAR FEATURES THAT INTERFERED WITH THE STARTER AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THERE WAS NO FAVORABLE RESPONSE FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10344931

96,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE HOSE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HE HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH THE BRAKE, TRACTION AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE RECEIVED GM RECALL NOTICE NO. 09149 FOR T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE HOSE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HE HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH THE BRAKE, TRACTION AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE RECEIVED GM RECALL NOTICE NO. 09149 FOR THE BRAKES WHICH IS RELATED TO NHTSA#10V105000; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PARTS WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS WHENEVER THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARTS WERE NEVER ORDERED. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THE FAILURE HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343935

92,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWF…

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THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWFUL TO HAVE THAT MANY VEHICLES IN THE SAME CONDITION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE CADILLACS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343500

77,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WE HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC'S CTS WITH ABOUT 77K MILES. ON 7-5-2010 AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING PLAZA AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, THRU BUSHES, AND ONTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR FACING US. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH …

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WE HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC'S CTS WITH ABOUT 77K MILES. ON 7-5-2010 AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING PLAZA AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, THRU BUSHES, AND ONTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR FACING US. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WE NOTICE WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE ENGINE REVVING UP. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341494

74,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED 2003 CTS USED IN 2007 WITH 54,000 MILES. AT 60,000 MILES, THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND DESTROYED ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. 30 DAYS LATER COIL WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AFTER THAT THE OTHER COIL WENT OUT AND AGAIN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CURRENTL…

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PURCHASED 2003 CTS USED IN 2007 WITH 54,000 MILES. AT 60,000 MILES, THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND DESTROYED ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. 30 DAYS LATER COIL WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AFTER THAT THE OTHER COIL WENT OUT AND AGAIN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT START. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP CLOSE TO MY HOUSE AND THEY SAID THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TOO MESSED UP TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT. PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE DYING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I LOST STEERING AND HAD TO PUSH IT OFF THE ROAD. IT IS A DANGEROUS AND UNRELIABLE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. I CONTACTED CADILLAC BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 74000 MILES ON IT WITH A TOTAL OF MAYBE 20000 ADDED IN THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP MOSTLY DUE TO THE CAR NEEDING CONSTANT REPAIRS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS AND PAY FOR REPAIRS BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I DO NOT TRUST THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336583

90,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2003 CADILLAC CTS - THE BACKUP LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAME OFF IN CAR WASH... DEALERSHIPS ARE WELL AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT SAY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF GM. THEY SAID THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THE SUPPLIER TO CADILLAC USED AN INCORRECT EPOXY TO BUILD THE PART. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WILL DO NOTHING. PART IS OVER $550 TO REPLACE…

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2003 CADILLAC CTS - THE BACKUP LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAME OFF IN CAR WASH... DEALERSHIPS ARE WELL AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT SAY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF GM. THEY SAID THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THE SUPPLIER TO CADILLAC USED AN INCORRECT EPOXY TO BUILD THE PART. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WILL DO NOTHING. PART IS OVER $550 TO REPLACE!! ONE SEARCH ON INTERNET BRINGS UP HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I CALLED CADILLAC AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THEY CAN DO NOTHING MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336200

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.