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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

37 reports
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61,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE PLASTIC PANEL COVER FOR THE REVERSE LIGHTS FELL OFF, AND NOW THE REVERSE LIGHTS ARE EXPOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10414862

55,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT PANEL HAS A PLASTIC COVER OVER IT. MINE FELL OFF AND I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME REPLACING IT. I CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THEY DON'T SELL THAT PIECE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE REDESIGNED A REPLACEMENT THAT WILL NOT FALL OFF BUT IT COSTS OVER $500 AND CADILLAC WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALL…

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THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT PANEL HAS A PLASTIC COVER OVER IT. MINE FELL OFF AND I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME REPLACING IT. I CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THEY DON'T SELL THAT PIECE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE REDESIGNED A REPLACEMENT THAT WILL NOT FALL OFF BUT IT COSTS OVER $500 AND CADILLAC WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. AS I DRIVE UP AND DOWN THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IN CHICAGO, I NOTICE MANY 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS ARE ALSO MISSING THIS PART. HOW CAN THIS PLASTIC PART FALL OFF WITH OUT CAUSE AND YET NOT BE RECALLED? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413446

89,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OVERLAY PANEL FOR THE REAR REVERSE LIGHT FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OVERLAY PANEL FOR THE REAR REVERSE LIGHT FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE. HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10381334

68,782 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. MY ENGINE STARTS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I REPLACED MY BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE IS BROKE. I HAD TO GET A NEW MOTOR FOR MY WINDOW BECAUSE THAT BROKE. I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH T…

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I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. MY ENGINE STARTS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I TURN ON MY HEATER WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. I REPLACED MY BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE IS BROKE. I HAD TO GET A NEW MOTOR FOR MY WINDOW BECAUSE THAT BROKE. I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME CONDITIONS AS ME. WHY ISN'T IT ON RECALL ??? I MEAN WE PAID GOOD MONEY FOR IT SO WE SHOULD GET THE SAME QUALITY BACK !!! I KNOW GM HAS TO REVIEW OUR COMMENTS. THEY JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THERE CUSTOMERS. GM NEEDS BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAUSE THERE SERVICE SUCKS!!!! RECALL....RECALL....RECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373347

50,556 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Exterior LightingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE COVER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR LIGHT MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW, IMPROVED MODULE. THE BACK UP LAMPS AND THE REAR FINISH PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED WITH A SAFER PANEL. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE COVER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR LIGHT MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW, IMPROVED MODULE. THE BACK UP LAMPS AND THE REAR FINISH PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED WITH A SAFER PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,556 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

NHTSA ODI #10355180

92,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWF…

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THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWFUL TO HAVE THAT MANY VEHICLES IN THE SAME CONDITION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE CADILLACS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343500

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

5,007 miles · May 11, 2010
Exterior LightingStructureCrash

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IMPROPERLY SEAL ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO MECHANISM AND BURN OUT LED BULBS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329946

75,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 CADILLAC SAFETY ISSUES: PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE EBCM - ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THESE MODULES FAIL AND CANNOT BE REBUILT. DEALER COST IS OVER $500 WITH MOST DEALERS CHARGING MORE THAN $750. PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT. GM EVEN ADMITTED FAILURE…

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2003 CADILLAC SAFETY ISSUES: PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE EBCM - ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THESE MODULES FAIL AND CANNOT BE REBUILT. DEALER COST IS OVER $500 WITH MOST DEALERS CHARGING MORE THAN $750. PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT. GM EVEN ADMITTED FAILURE OF THE NEON LIGHTS USED FOR THIS APPLICATION AND QUICKLY SWITCHED TO A RELIABLE LIGHT MEDIA. REPLACEMENTS RANGE FROM $250 USED (IF YOU CAN FIND ONE THAT WORKS) TO $500 RETAIL AT GM. BOTH OF THESE UNITS ARE KNOWN HIGH FAILURE ITEMS AND BOTH COST A FORTUNE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL GM DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320012

90,837 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Exterior Lighting

THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT FELL OFF MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER ONE PUT ON, ONLY TO LEARN THAT GM DOES NOT EVEN MAKE THAT PART ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING DEFECTIVE. TO FIX MY VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A NEWER MADE PART THAT COST APPROXIMATELY $697.00. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON …

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THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT FELL OFF MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER ONE PUT ON, ONLY TO LEARN THAT GM DOES NOT EVEN MAKE THAT PART ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING DEFECTIVE. TO FIX MY VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A NEWER MADE PART THAT COST APPROXIMATELY $697.00. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER THAT PRODUCED THIS PART FOR GM DID NOT USE THE CORRECT EPOXY TO ADHERE THE BACK UP LIGHT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO CALL GM CORPORATE OFFICE TO TAKE THE "PROBLEM" UP WITH THEM. AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM, HE TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL ME WITH A FINAL DECISION AND NEVER CALLED. I HAVE PLACED CALLS TO THEM EVERYDAY SINCE AND I KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND. SUPPOSEDLY NO ONE BUT THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST HANDLING MY CASE CAN HELP ME AND HE WILL NOT ANSWER OR RETURN MY CALLS. MY QUESTION IS THIS, UNDER THE LAW SOMEONE CANNOT SELL ANYTHING KNOWING THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. WITH VEHICLES ALL EXTERIOR COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE SUPPOSE TO WITHSTAND "MOTHERNATURE" AND NATURAL OCCURRENCES OF THE WEATHER, SO WHY WHEN KNOWING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE DO THEY EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE IT? GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE IT CAN NOT CAUSE BODILY HARM THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT OR RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. IS THIS WHAT OUR ECONOMY HAS COME TO, LARGE CORPORATIONS SWINDLING THE "LITTLE" CONSUMERS THAT KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS? WITH GM FILING BANKRUPTCY AND THE TAXPAYERS AND GOVERNMENT "BAILING" THEM OUT, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO TREAT THEIR "LITTLE" CONSUMERS BETTER. HOW IS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO KNOW A PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE, TO THE POINT THEY WON'T EVEN MAKE THAT SAME PRODUCT TO REPLACE IT WHEN IT TEARS UP BUT ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274847

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.