NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
25 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND THE GEARS SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MARTIN BUICK GMC (12101 W OLYMPIC BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90064, (310) 622-9334) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND THE GEARS SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MARTIN BUICK GMC (12101 W OLYMPIC BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90064, (310) 622-9334) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AFTER SEVERAL EXTENSIVE REPAIRS FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A LOANER VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CASE MANAGER WAS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THE DEALER AND OWNER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WERE GUIDELINES FOR A REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #11204352
104,492 miles · Feb 15, 2015
EnginePower Train
THE PCV VALVE SYSTEM DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. ON (4) OCCASIONS THE PRESSURE BUILD-UP CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAKS AT THE VALVE COVER. I EXPERIENCED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS OIL LEAKED ONTO A HOT ENGINE. A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. IT TOOK YEARS FOR THE CADILLAC DEALERS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREME COLD WEATHER IS…
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THE PCV VALVE SYSTEM DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. ON (4) OCCASIONS THE PRESSURE BUILD-UP CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAKS AT THE VALVE COVER. I EXPERIENCED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS OIL LEAKED ONTO A HOT ENGINE. A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. IT TOOK YEARS FOR THE CADILLAC DEALERS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREME COLD WEATHER ISSUE. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS IN ARIZONA FOR A FEW YEARS AND THE ISSUE WAS NOT A PROBLEM BUT ONCE RETURNED TO MICHIGAN, THE PROBLEM GOT SERIOUS. I HAVE ALL OF MY REPAIR DOCUMENTS. THIS CAR SHOULD HAS BEEN RECALLED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS LUCKY AS I WAS NEAR DEALERS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683560
65,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10672259
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
92,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
DRIVING DOWN ROAD IT JUST CUT OFF OTHER TIMES IT JUST WOULD NOT START I HAVE HAD IT 3YRS AND ONLY GOT TO DRIVE IT 2 MTHS I REALLY WANTED THIS CAR BUT NEVER KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!ALSO SOME KIND OF SEAL WE HAD FIXED BLEW MAYBE A WEEK AFTER IT WAS FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626124
72,579 miles · May 29, 2014
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOW POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE LOSS POWER WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOW POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE LOSS POWER WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,579. UPDATED 8/12/14*CN UPDATED 08/20/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10594865
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
2003 CADILAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TWO DAYS LATER. ALSO, THE STRUTS, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLAC…
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2003 CADILAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TWO DAYS LATER. ALSO, THE STRUTS, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND GAS TANK, WHICH WAS LEAKING HAD TO REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10438430
25,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Power Train
REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINE ON MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION CAUSES THE WHINE. DEALERS ARE USELESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269327
90,000 miles · Apr 26, 2009
Power Train
WHINING DIFFERENTIAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266727
10 miles · Oct 9, 2007
Power Train
INNER DIFFERENTIAL BEARING NOISES ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WHY IS THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE NOT COVERED BY GM/CADILLAC. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW THAT IT IS LEAKING. *TR *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205271
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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