NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
36 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 13, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 6/25/2013*JS
NHTSA ODI #10672308
127,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING IT OFF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND THE OTHER DRIVER SU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING IT OFF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED HIP INJURIES THAT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA ODI #10660446
28,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF DUE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF DUE TO THE KEY FOB MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER'S KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #10659968
28,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 11/24/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10649631
145,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 11/19/14
NHTSA ODI #10648342
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2014
Air BagsPower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A DUMPSTER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A DUMPSTER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10638324
114,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA ODI #10588641
69,000 miles · Apr 18, 2014
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING IT WOULD ENGAGE TO STABILITY MODE AND ALSO SERVICE STABILITY.. HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD GET OUT OF CONTROL AND IT WOULD BE AS IF YOU PUT YOU BRAKES ON WHEN YOU WERE IN WATER... BUT NO WATER AND I HADN'T PUT THE BRAKE UNTIL I HAD TO.. BECAUSE IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR A QUICK (BUT MORE FREQUENT) TIME...I TOOK IT IN F…
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WHEN DRIVING IT WOULD ENGAGE TO STABILITY MODE AND ALSO SERVICE STABILITY.. HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD GET OUT OF CONTROL AND IT WOULD BE AS IF YOU PUT YOU BRAKES ON WHEN YOU WERE IN WATER... BUT NO WATER AND I HADN'T PUT THE BRAKE UNTIL I HAD TO.. BECAUSE IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR A QUICK (BUT MORE FREQUENT) TIME...I TOOK IT IN FINALLY AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS BECAUSEWHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 2003 NEW. I HAD TO HAVE THE SHAFT BOLT FIXED ... THEN I HAD TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SERVICED AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR THAT ANOTHER TIME. THEN MY SEAT MOTOR WENT OUT. ETC. ALL WITHIN THE 1ST 5 YEARS WITH LOW MILEAGE TOO. SO I'VE BEE WAITING TO FIX THIS SINCE I AM A WIDOW AND DON'T WHO TO TRUST ANYMORE... I WAS TOLD THIS TIME IT IS LEAKING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THAT'S WHY IT RUNS ROUGH AND JOLTS WHEN I PUT IN GEAR...AND THE THERMOSTAT AND 2 CAPS IN FRONT LEAKING ... WHO KNOWS.. BUT TOMORROW THEY WILL CALL ME WITH THE AMOUNT IT IS GOING TO COST... APPROX. 13 HOURS OF WORK.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583426
120,000 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Air BagsCrash
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. AT AROUND 2AM ON 12/09/2013 AS I WAS COMING AROUND A CORNER I HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY 2003 CTS SLID ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE STUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TREE STUMP IMPACTED THE DRIVERS SIDE F…
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MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. AT AROUND 2AM ON 12/09/2013 AS I WAS COMING AROUND A CORNER I HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY 2003 CTS SLID ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE STUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TREE STUMP IMPACTED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE, SHATTERING THE FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE THE FLIPPED THE CAR ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND BOTH ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. WITH ALL THE DAMAGE AND SEVERAL TYPES OF IMPACTS DONE TO THE CADILLAC CTS NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. THIS SEEMS VERY ODD TO ME AND IM HOPING SOMEBODY CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555782
107,000 miles · Mar 23, 2013
Air Bags
BOUGHT CAR FOR TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND OUT 2005-2007 HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. CADILLAC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. I AM CONCERNED THAT UNTIL PARTS COME IN MY NEW DRIVER IS UNPROTECTED IF IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504224
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 ↗
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