NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
56 reportsClear category filter92,200 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Electrical System
THE 2003 CADILLAC CTS HAS VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHERE THE POWER/INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY CUTS OUT REPEATEDLY. THE SAFETY CONCERN THAT ALARMED ME ENOUGH TO FIND THIS FORM HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHERE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR'S POWER SHUTS OFF AND THE MESSAGE DISPLAY IS TO RE-START THE CAR. WHEN THIS H…
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THE 2003 CADILLAC CTS HAS VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHERE THE POWER/INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY CUTS OUT REPEATEDLY. THE SAFETY CONCERN THAT ALARMED ME ENOUGH TO FIND THIS FORM HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHERE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR'S POWER SHUTS OFF AND THE MESSAGE DISPLAY IS TO RE-START THE CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTED THE CAR (TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ONCE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT LOWER 30 -40 MPH VELOCITY. WITH NO REASON OR WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406975
73,638 miles · Feb 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND LOOSING POWER. THE ENGINE WAS MISSING ON ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING COIL, SPARKPLUG, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND OIL COOLER. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECT MENTIONED IN CAD CTS TSB ID # 1609265 DATED 2005. THIS TSB STATES THA…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND LOOSING POWER. THE ENGINE WAS MISSING ON ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING COIL, SPARKPLUG, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND OIL COOLER. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECT MENTIONED IN CAD CTS TSB ID # 1609265 DATED 2005. THIS TSB STATES THAT THE CRANKCASE VAPORS AND ENGINE OIL WILL VENT THROUGH THE CAM/VALVE COVER SEALS WHEN THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM BECOMES BLOCKED. THE OIL ON THIS VEHICLE EVIDENTLY VENTED AND LEAKED SEVERAL PLACES INCLUDING INTO THE IGNITION COILS CAUSING A SHORT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR IF THE OIL HAD LEAKED ON VERY HOT SURFACES POSSIBLY A FIRE. THE TSB SPECIFIED KITS THAT WERE TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING. EVIDENTLY, THESE WERE NEVER INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10383848
70,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 CTS - SERVICE TRACKING SYSTEM BEGAN TO DISPLAY AND ENGAGE FREQUENTLY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND BEGAN VIBRATING BADLY AND PULLING TOWARD LEFT (UNABLE TO BRAKE). RETURNED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY REPLACED "STEERING SENSOR" $650.00. TWO MONTHS LATER BEGAN…
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2003 CTS - SERVICE TRACKING SYSTEM BEGAN TO DISPLAY AND ENGAGE FREQUENTLY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND BEGAN VIBRATING BADLY AND PULLING TOWARD LEFT (UNABLE TO BRAKE). RETURNED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY REPLACED "STEERING SENSOR" $650.00. TWO MONTHS LATER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER IMMEDIATELY AFTER START UP, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOME PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. DISPLAYED LOW BATTERY, THEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SERVICE (ABS, TRACKING, AIRBAG ECT...). RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING ALTERNATOR. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS IS THE REAL PROBLEM BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE SAME LEAKAGE ISSUES FROM BOTH COOLANT AND OIL SOURCES THAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE. DEALER CONTINUES TO TELL ME TO REPLACE BOTH GASKETS AND THERMOSTAT. THESE AGAIN ARE COMMON ISSUES THAT ARE POSTED CONSISTENTLY ON-LINE BY CONSUMERS. THESE ARE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS FAILURES BASED ON PEOPLE'S PERSONAL SAFETY. GM MUST STEP UP AND HONOR THESE SAFETY ISSUES BY RECALLING THESE ITEMS. INABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO TRACKING SYSTEM ENGAGING AND NOT ABLE TO BRAKE, VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR, AND LASTLY FIRE HAZARD DUE TO LEAKING PLASTIC VALVE COVER GASKETS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363493
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
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
34,000 miles · Apr 3, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED MULTIPLE FAILURES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED MULTIPLE FAILURES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING THIS TIME AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $106. WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE A SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,300.
NHTSA ODI #10264052
55,000 miles · Jul 27, 2007
Electrical System
PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JANUARY 2005. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAR SHUT DOWN AT WILL GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR OR 65 MILES PER HOUR. STABILIZING MESSAGE COME ON, SERVICE STABILIZING SYSTEM, THROTTLE BODY NEEDS SERVICE. HAD SERVICED 4 TIMES STILL DOING THE SAME THING. CONDITION RESULTING REPLACING WIRING HARNESS. $2,000.00. CAR IS A…
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PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JANUARY 2005. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAR SHUT DOWN AT WILL GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR OR 65 MILES PER HOUR. STABILIZING MESSAGE COME ON, SERVICE STABILIZING SYSTEM, THROTTLE BODY NEEDS SERVICE. HAD SERVICED 4 TIMES STILL DOING THE SAME THING. CONDITION RESULTING REPLACING WIRING HARNESS. $2,000.00. CAR IS A 2003 WITH APPROX 70,000 MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197676
29,000 miles · Jul 24, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS (THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF MODEL WAS CORRECT). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THE FAILUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS (THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF MODEL WAS CORRECT). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,500. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, ENGINE SIZE, VIN, AND POWERTRAIN INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10197323
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
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 ↗