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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

Electrical System complaints

56 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10638386

100,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638044

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION COULD BE TURNED WITHOUT A KEY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION COULD BE TURNED WITHOUT A KEY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10637655

92,509 miles · Sep 5, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH I NOTICED WELL INTO A LEFT VEERING MERGE, THAT MY VEHICLE ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. ALL THE ACCESSORIES WERE STILL RUNNING AS FAR AS RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER WHILE THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A COCKED POSITION AS WELL AS LOSING THE ABILITY TO STOP THE V…

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WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH I NOTICED WELL INTO A LEFT VEERING MERGE, THAT MY VEHICLE ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. ALL THE ACCESSORIES WERE STILL RUNNING AS FAR AS RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER WHILE THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A COCKED POSITION AS WELL AS LOSING THE ABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. I WAS FORCED TO SLAM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO THE FLOOR TO GET MY VEHICLE TO STOP BEFORE BEING CRUNCHED FROM ONCOMING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AT 60 TO 80+ MPH. WHILE ALSO TRYING TO AVOID FROM BEING REAR ENDED! ONCE I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED I WAS ABLE PLACE IT INTO PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION. AFTER RESTARTING THE IGNITION THE CAR SEEMED FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631177

105,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING TURNING LEFT ONTO AN EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE MY ENGINE SHUT DOWN I BELIEVE IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SOLUTION. I AM IN FEAR THAT ONE DAY THIS CAR WILL LOSE POWER AT THE WRONG TIME AND CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE …

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WHILE DRIVING TURNING LEFT ONTO AN EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE MY ENGINE SHUT DOWN I BELIEVE IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SOLUTION. I AM IN FEAR THAT ONE DAY THIS CAR WILL LOSE POWER AT THE WRONG TIME AND CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIXED OR A REIMBURSEMENT TO INVEST IN A NEW VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616213

135,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ANTI-THEFT WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE FOG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ANTI-THEFT WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE FOG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/09/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10598792

59,730 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A RECURRING STALLING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,730 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 06/30/14…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A RECURRING STALLING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,730 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 06/30/14 MA UPDATED 07/3/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10576468

30,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System

SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A CADILLAC DEALER I HAD EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD HIT A POT HOLE OR HARD BUMP. I HAD DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS FROM OTHER GARAGES OVER THE YEARS CHECK FOR ENGINE SHUT DOWN. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. RECENTLY THE NEWS HAS BEEN DIS…

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SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A CADILLAC DEALER I HAD EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD HIT A POT HOLE OR HARD BUMP. I HAD DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS FROM OTHER GARAGES OVER THE YEARS CHECK FOR ENGINE SHUT DOWN. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. RECENTLY THE NEWS HAS BEEN DISCUSSING ISSUES WITH GENERAL MOTORS IGNITION PROBLEMS. I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND SMACKED MY KEY RING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. MY PRIMER KEY RING CONTAINS A LARGE NUMBER OF KEYS WITH WEIGHT TO THEM WHEN I WOULD DROP OF THE VEHICLE I WOULD ALWAYS LEAVE A SINGLE KEY. SINCE THE NEWS BROADCAST I HAVE ONLY USED A SINGLE KEY AND HAVE HAD NO ADDITIONAL ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO ADDRESS MY COMPLAINT OR EXAMINE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I SEE NO INFORMATION INDICATING THAT THE CADILLAC MODELS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD. THIS STALLING HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. ON OF THE MOST CRITICAL INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON A RAINY NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 4 LANE LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. I STRUCK A LARGE POTHOLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. BEING A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THIS ATTEMPT. THERE WAS NO LEFT SHOULDER SO I ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. AGAIN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO START THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THE KEY WAS REMOVED, PLACED BACK INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED A HIGH SPEED REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO GET OFF THE ROADWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576367

62,560 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

STREET.. ON NOV 2 2013 I WAS UNABLE TO GET CAR STARTED STRANDED AT WALMART 10 AT NIGHT TRIED TO GET A. BATTERY CHGD BY WALMART AUTOMOTIVE DEPT NO GOOD CAME FROM THAT NXT DAY BOUGHT NEW BATTERY HAD IT INSTALLED . THE NXT DAY GOING ANOTHER STRANDED SITUATION ASK MACS CAR DEARLER TO HELP THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE CAD DEARLER CHECK I…

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STREET.. ON NOV 2 2013 I WAS UNABLE TO GET CAR STARTED STRANDED AT WALMART 10 AT NIGHT TRIED TO GET A. BATTERY CHGD BY WALMART AUTOMOTIVE DEPT NO GOOD CAME FROM THAT NXT DAY BOUGHT NEW BATTERY HAD IT INSTALLED . THE NXT DAY GOING ANOTHER STRANDED SITUATION ASK MACS CAR DEARLER TO HELP THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE CAD DEARLER CHECK IT OUT THEY WOULD PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICO THEY COULD NOT FIND. ANYTHING WRONG.AS SOON AS I LEFT STOPPE AT SS BUILDING THERE FOR AN HOUR, GET TO CAR WONT START AGAIN..CLLD TOW TRUCK HE COULDNT GET IT STARTED HE LOWERED THE FLATBED TO HITCH MY CAR FOR TOWING. HE SAID LET ME TRY ONE MORE THING. HE PUT CAR IN N IT STARED MAKING US LOOK LIKE FOOLS..THE SAME DAY GOT HM STOPPED AT DOLLAR STORE. GOOD THING I LIVE ACROSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569408

73,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

STARTING AROUND SEPTEMBER, MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES, I FOUND SOME CADILLAC FORUMS STATING IT WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTION, WHICH IS COMMON IN 2003 MODELS. MY CAR WOULD ALSO SHOW THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OFF WITH NO WARNING, AND NOT GET…

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STARTING AROUND SEPTEMBER, MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES, I FOUND SOME CADILLAC FORUMS STATING IT WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTION, WHICH IS COMMON IN 2003 MODELS. MY CAR WOULD ALSO SHOW THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OFF WITH NO WARNING, AND NOT GET OUT OF GEAR WHILE BEING ON, WITH NO WARNING AS WELL. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD SHOW LOW OIL PRESSURE AND OTHER WARNINGS ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG. AND LASTLY, AT AROUND 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING 70 ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR MAKE A HUGE BANG, AND SMOKE ERUPTED, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT, AND THE CAR WON'T START. I'M BEING TOLD TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET, WHICH ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE FORUMS, TENDS TO BE FAULTY IN THE '03 MODELS. THESE SHOULD OBVIOUSLY BE RECALLED IF SO MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED. I'M PAYING OVER 5000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND COSTS FOR THIS. I REFUSE TO EVER LET ANYONE I KNOW, AS WELL AS MYSELF, PURCHASE ANOTHER CADILLAC, UNLESS THIS GETS RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519302

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.