NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
37 reportsClear category filter49,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
EquipmentExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND THEN DIMMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND THEN DIMMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEGAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10872979
89,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Exterior LightingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT COVERING WAS FRACTURED AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE LICENSE PLATE COVERING, BUT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT COVERING WAS FRACTURED AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE LICENSE PLATE COVERING, BUT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10638319
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2013
Exterior LightingService BrakesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING WAS FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEFECT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING WAS FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEFECT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/05/13 *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10515949
140,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN HER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE LENS COVER OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN HER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE LENS COVER OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10490352
125,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE REVERSE BEZEL FELL OFF, BROKE AND THE PART IS TOO EXPENSIVE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474172
103,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAG PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT, WATER WAS ENTERING AND DAMAGING THE WIRING OF THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ADHESIVE THAT WAS USED TO HOLD THE PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAG PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT, WATER WAS ENTERING AND DAMAGING THE WIRING OF THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ADHESIVE THAT WAS USED TO HOLD THE PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459584
76,000 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Exterior Lighting
JUST GOT OFF THE XWAY, STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHILE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, WHICH WAS STUCK RED FOR ABOUT 5 MIN, BOTH (HID) HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THEY FLASHED ON & OFF 3 TIMES, THAN STAYED OUT. I SWITCHED ON THE FOG LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE THE LAST 3 MILES HOME. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER…
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JUST GOT OFF THE XWAY, STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHILE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, WHICH WAS STUCK RED FOR ABOUT 5 MIN, BOTH (HID) HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THEY FLASHED ON & OFF 3 TIMES, THAN STAYED OUT. I SWITCHED ON THE FOG LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE THE LAST 3 MILES HOME. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED BOTH TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. I WROTE A LETTER TO CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT FORWARD THE INFO TO A TECHNICAL DEPT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I ESTIMATE THERE ARE 10,000 MILES ON THESE LIGHTS. I WROTE A SECOND TO CADILLAC, AGAIN THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WERE CLOSING THE FILE ON THIS CASE. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT 70 MPH ON A CURVE. THESE (HID) LIGHTS ARE A PRICEY OPTION AND ARE SOLD THAT UNDER NORMAL USE THEY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10450989
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2012
Exterior Lighting
WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, WHEN I LOOKED BACK THE PLASTIC PIECE WHICH COVERS THE TWO SMALL LIGHTS AROUND MY LICENSE PLATE, HAD FLOWN OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE, HOWEVER THE PART OBVIOUSLY BROKE, AND A NEW PART COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 750.00 TO 1000.00 DOLLARS…
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, WHEN I LOOKED BACK THE PLASTIC PIECE WHICH COVERS THE TWO SMALL LIGHTS AROUND MY LICENSE PLATE, HAD FLOWN OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE, HOWEVER THE PART OBVIOUSLY BROKE, AND A NEW PART COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 750.00 TO 1000.00 DOLLARS (FOR A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS NO MORE THEN 28 INCHES LONG) EVERY VENDER OF THIS PART I HAVE CALLED HAS TOLD ME IT IS SO EXPENSIVE BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEM FALL OFF OF THEIR CARS. THERE IS NO CLIPS OR SCREWS TO HOLD THE PART ON, WHICH MEANS EVEN IF I BUY ANOTHER ONE THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447300
58,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR LIGHT COVER ON THE BACK UP LIGHT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE BACK UP LIGHTS AND HE BELIEVED THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A LENS COVER TO PROTECT THE LIGHT. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR LIGHT COVER ON THE BACK UP LIGHT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE BACK UP LIGHTS AND HE BELIEVED THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A LENS COVER TO PROTECT THE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,096. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10427868
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 ↗