NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
313 reports34,000 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
66,164 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PCV PASSAGE FROZE AND CAUSED OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE EXHAUST. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PAV PASSAGE WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REDESIGNED THE PCV PASSAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PCV PASSAGE BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PCV PASSAGE FROZE AND CAUSED OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE EXHAUST. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PAV PASSAGE WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REDESIGNED THE PCV PASSAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PCV PASSAGE BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE LEAK, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. HE FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE BURNING OIL LEAVES A TOXIC SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE LEAKING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,164.
NHTSA ODI #10262765
63,000 miles · Mar 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL LEAKAGE FROM CAM COVER GASKETS THAT REQUIRE REPAIR. 3.2L V-6 IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. BLACK SMOKE WITH EXTREME BURNING SMELL FLOODED VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT ALSO SMOKE STARTS TO COME FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE. PULLED INTO SAFE LOCATION FOUND HUGE OIL LEAK ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE AROUND VALVE COVER. COULD HAVE POSSIBLY S…
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OIL LEAKAGE FROM CAM COVER GASKETS THAT REQUIRE REPAIR. 3.2L V-6 IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. BLACK SMOKE WITH EXTREME BURNING SMELL FLOODED VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT ALSO SMOKE STARTS TO COME FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE. PULLED INTO SAFE LOCATION FOUND HUGE OIL LEAK ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE AROUND VALVE COVER. COULD HAVE POSSIBLY STARTED A FIRE DUE TO HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE OIL BEING BLOWN ON ENGINE BUT LUCKILY DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. CHECK ON-LINE FOUND TSB 05-06-01-007A STATING GM KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. "WHEN OPERATING IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. AND GM DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TILL JUNE FOR MY CAR AND AT A COST OF 860.00 DOLLAR. PCV HOSE KIT, P/N 55558592 AND OIL FILTER CAP, P/N 12589430. SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAUSE OF THE FUMES BEING RELEASED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAITING ALSO. A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261717
36,000 miles · Feb 25, 2009
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS ON HIS VEHICLE SEEMED TO "DE-LAMINATE" FROM THE BASE METAL. HE FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. THE RIMS SEEM TO AFFECT THE TIRES AND THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD AIR. HE WOULD HAVE TO REFILL THE TIRES WITH AIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS ON HIS VEHICLE SEEMED TO "DE-LAMINATE" FROM THE BASE METAL. HE FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. THE RIMS SEEM TO AFFECT THE TIRES AND THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD AIR. HE WOULD HAVE TO REFILL THE TIRES WITH AIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE RIMS WERE NOT FACTORY MANUFACTURED, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESE WERE THE RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THEY DID NOT COME FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY DISPLAYED THE CADILLAC EMBLEM. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE RIM OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,755 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10259887
30,948 miles · Feb 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR ENGINE FAILED AT 30,000 MILES - IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND, SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. HE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE SHOP - JUST HAD TO TOW IT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN GINGERLY BY MY 80 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER FOR 7,000 MILES, THEN BY ME (AGE 40 WITH TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS) FOR THE REMAINING MILES. C…
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CAR ENGINE FAILED AT 30,000 MILES - IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND, SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. HE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE SHOP - JUST HAD TO TOW IT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN GINGERLY BY MY 80 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER FOR 7,000 MILES, THEN BY ME (AGE 40 WITH TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS) FOR THE REMAINING MILES. CADILLAC OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST TO REBUILD, BUT THE TOTAL COST WAS ESTIMATED AT OVER $15,000. THEY SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY NEW ENGINES TO DROP IN, BUT THEY FOUND ONE USED ENGINE (WITH 1 MILE ON IT) THAT THEY COULD USE THAT WOULD COST ABOUT $4,150. HOWEVER, THEY WOULDN'T PAY ANY OF THE COST OF DROPPING IN THE USED ENGINE. WE OPTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT OUR COST INSTEAD SO WE COULD GET AWAY WITH PAYING $4,150 INSTEAD OF $7,500. I COMPLAINED TO GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND KEPT BEING GIVEN INCORRECT INFORMATION. ONE PERSON WOULD TELL ME THEY WOULD PAY 1/2 THE COST TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, THE NEXT WOULD SAY THEY WOULD NOT PAY. I KEPT GOOD RECORDS OF ALL PERSONS CONTACTED DURING THE LONG, LONG PROCESS. THEY EVEN HAD ME GATHER ALL MY PRIOR SERVICE RECORDS SO THEY COULD BE CERTAIN THE CAR) HAD BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED (WHICH IT HAD.) AT ONE POINT I WAS EVEN TOLD (BY THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST OFFICE AT GM) THAT MY GRANDMOTHER HAD APPARENTLY PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT, AND THEY COULD JUST USE THAT. LATER, I WAS TOLD THAT NO EXTENDED WARRANTY EXISTED. I WAS LED ON AND MISINFORMED FOR 1 1/2 MONTHS, WHILE MY CAR SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP 90 MILES AWAY. I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR 1 1/2 MONTHS, WHILE EVERYONE DECIDED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE, AND AS IT ENDS UP, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE IMMEDIATELY IF I HADN'T BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BEING TOLD GM WAS GOING TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST. NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE - NOT A GOOD CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258784
115,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE EXPLODED RELEASING SEATBELT, STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SIDE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247456
49,000 miles · Oct 31, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
V6 ENGINE WITH COOLANT LEAKS. 3RD TIME SOMETHING DEALING WITH A LEAK REASON FOR SERVICE. THIS TIME A WATER PUMP THAT LEAD TO BROKEN,CRACK PULLEY. I CAN FIND NO ONE EVER HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR ALMOST 30 DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247370
68,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD HAD COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE INNER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD HAD COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE INNER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10240652
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2008
Exterior Lighting
WE HAVE WORK ON THIS TYPE OF CARS BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. I BELIEVE THEY WERE MADE TO WEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240130
60,000 miles · Jul 13, 2008
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT COVER ON CADILLAC CTS 2003 DEVELOPS CRACKING AND SPIDER WEBS, SUCH THAT VISIBILITY IS DIMINISHED. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ALL OLDER CTS VEHICLES IN THE PHOENIX AREA. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE SUN. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR ON OTHER OLDER VEHICLE HEADLAMPS. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DESPITE EXTENDED WARRANTY.…
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HEADLIGHT COVER ON CADILLAC CTS 2003 DEVELOPS CRACKING AND SPIDER WEBS, SUCH THAT VISIBILITY IS DIMINISHED. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ALL OLDER CTS VEHICLES IN THE PHOENIX AREA. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE SUN. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR ON OTHER OLDER VEHICLE HEADLAMPS. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DESPITE EXTENDED WARRANTY. REPAIR CAN ONLY BE DONE VIA REPLACEMENT ON THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH COSTS IN EXCESS OF $1,300 PLUS LABOR BY A GM DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234100
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 ↗