NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
313 reports70,000 miles · May 18, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR BEING STOPPED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN MY CAR AND OTHER GM CARS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FOR THIS ISSUE IN GM CARS. IT SEEMS THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS SINCE IT IS A WELL KNOWN AND …
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THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR BEING STOPPED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN MY CAR AND OTHER GM CARS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FOR THIS ISSUE IN GM CARS. IT SEEMS THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS SINCE IT IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED ISSUE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CARS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND WHILE BEING STOPPED. I STALLED ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP, AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE BEING PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10865652
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STARTS UP AND DRIVES FOR A WHILE THEN SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE IDLER ARMS AND CRANK SENSORS WERE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10863889
31,500 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Air Bags
PASSENGER SEAT BELT (FEMALE) ASSEMBLY USING A TAKATA INITIATOR (CYLINDER ALONGSIDE THE SEAT) FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SENSOR FAILURE. DEALER SAYS PARTS IN NO LONGER MADE, NO ONE MAKES AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THE SRS, THEREFORE NO REPAIR CAN BE MADE AND JEOPARDIZES SAFETY AND OMITS THE PURPOSE OF AN SRS.
NHTSA ODI #10854864
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2016
Unknown Or Other
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHERE THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED WATER LINES THAT DRIPPED ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER IS ALMOST THERE. THE DEALERSHIP AND AN AUTO BODY MAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO TAKE GOOD C…
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THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHERE THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED WATER LINES THAT DRIPPED ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER IS ALMOST THERE. THE DEALERSHIP AND AN AUTO BODY MAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR SO THAT I COULD KEEP IT FOR A LONG TIME. I CANNOT DRIVE OR EVEN SELL MY CAR. THIS IS A DEFECT FOR THE 2003 BUT HAS NOT BEEN CALLED AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY? I WANT MY CAR FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER....
NHTSA ODI #10853813
140,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER OVERNIGHT FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT, DUE TO A STRIPPED SCREW IN THE OIL PAN, THE OIL CHANGE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER OVERNIGHT FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER THAT, DUE TO A STRIPPED SCREW IN THE OIL PAN, THE OIL CHANGE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS RETRIEVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10824083
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
42,473 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Service Brakes
CUSTOMERS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP, 3 MILE TRIP, FLUID WAS LOW, P/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN AND BUSTED LEAKING FLUID, D/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN. LOSS OF BREAKING CONTROL EVIDENT WHILE PULLING CAR INTO SHOP. CONTACTED DEALER TO CHECK ON RECALL, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ALL SIGNS, INCLUDING VI…
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CUSTOMERS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP, 3 MILE TRIP, FLUID WAS LOW, P/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN AND BUSTED LEAKING FLUID, D/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN. LOSS OF BREAKING CONTROL EVIDENT WHILE PULLING CAR INTO SHOP. CONTACTED DEALER TO CHECK ON RECALL, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ALL SIGNS, INCLUDING VIN BREAK WERE THE SAME. REPAIR IS BEING DONE IN FACILITY, NOT UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10810684
145,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Engine
PURCHASED CAR FROM DEALERSHIP IN OCT 2015. WHILE DRIVING, I BEGIN TO SMELL BURNING OIL AND NOTICED OIL LEAK UNDER VEHICLE ON LEFT SIDE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHERE LEAK IS COMING FROM AND HE STATED THAT VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING OIL OUT AS WELL AS OIL IS PRESENT IN THE SPARK PLUG RESERVOIRS. WILL HAVE TO GET GASKETS…
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PURCHASED CAR FROM DEALERSHIP IN OCT 2015. WHILE DRIVING, I BEGIN TO SMELL BURNING OIL AND NOTICED OIL LEAK UNDER VEHICLE ON LEFT SIDE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHERE LEAK IS COMING FROM AND HE STATED THAT VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING OIL OUT AS WELL AS OIL IS PRESENT IN THE SPARK PLUG RESERVOIRS. WILL HAVE TO GET GASKETS REPLACED BEFORE FURTHER DAMAGE IS CAUSED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND I RECENTLY SAW ON NEWS WHERE GM RECALLED OTHER MODELS AND YEARS OF VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE. WHY WASN'T THIS MODEL CADILLAC INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHEN IS SHOULD HAVE?
NHTSA ODI #10788602
86,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787300
Official recalls
4Jul 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗