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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

What owners actually said

313 reports
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

79,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Fuel System, OtherPower Train

2003 CADILLAC CTS - I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 03/10/07, WITHIN 1 MONTH THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE $370.00. THE NEXT FAILURE WAS A MONTH LATER WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WENT BAD $752.12

NHTSA ODI #10191625

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2007
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAS A BLACK BAR IN MY LINE OF VISION. CREATES A "BLIND" SPOT AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING ON THE COUNTRY ROADS NEAR MY HOME DANGEROUS. IT ALSO CREATES AN AREA OF DARKNESS THAT DOESN'T LIGHT UP STOP SIGNS OR INTERSECTIONS ALONG THESE ROADS . I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE CORRECTED!! I DR…

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LOW BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAS A BLACK BAR IN MY LINE OF VISION. CREATES A "BLIND" SPOT AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING ON THE COUNTRY ROADS NEAR MY HOME DANGEROUS. IT ALSO CREATES AN AREA OF DARKNESS THAT DOESN'T LIGHT UP STOP SIGNS OR INTERSECTIONS ALONG THESE ROADS . I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE CORRECTED!! I DRIVE ALONG THESE ROADWAYS WHILE IT IS DARK TWICE A DAY 4 TIMES A WEEK ON MY WAY TO AND FROM WORK. I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF MY ENTIRE LINE OF VISION WAS LIT UP. THANKFULLY I HAVE THE USE OF THE HIGH BEAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS DARK BAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188714

71,000 miles · Mar 5, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 71000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING UNDER COLD DRY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY SHE NOTICES DARK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REACH A PARKING LOT, AND WHE…

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TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 71000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING UNDER COLD DRY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY SHE NOTICES DARK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REACH A PARKING LOT, AND WHEN SHE LIFTED THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI #10184242

45,282 miles · Dec 20, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFireInjury

2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 45852 MILES - OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE CAM/ VALVE COVER SEALS DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS. I WAS MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATE WHEN THICK BLACK SMOKE BEGAN POURING THROUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM INTO THE CAR. VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED …

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2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 45852 MILES - OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE CAM/ VALVE COVER SEALS DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS. I WAS MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATE WHEN THICK BLACK SMOKE BEGAN POURING THROUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM INTO THE CAR. VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED AND BREATHING WAS IMPAIRED. WITHIN SECONDS, I WAS FORCED TO EVACUATE THE CAR. SMOKE BEGAN ROLLING OUT FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SPARKING AND SMALL FLASH FIRES ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR NEAR THE TIRE. I WAS IN A RURAL AREA IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER AND WAS FORCED TO SLOWLY LIMP THE CAR TO A SAFER AREA TO GET HELP AND CONTACT TOWING SERVICE. AS OF DECEMBER 20TH, MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM RECEIVING CONFLICTING INFORMATION BETWEEN CADILLAC AND THE DEALERSHIP. GENERAL MOTORS DOCUMENT ID # 1644918 STATES THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON APRIL 7, 2005 AND ALSO STATES THAT TO PREVENT RECURRENCE AN AFTER MARKET PART MUST BE INSTALLED. HOWEVER, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AND GENERAL MOTORS/CADILLAC ARE REFUSING TO ASSIST ME IN EITHER HANDLING THE ISSUE AS A WARRANTY OR REPAIRING THE CAR WHICH IS STILL AWAITING PARTS AND SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONSUMER SAFETY ISSUE AS IT ONLY OCCURS DURING EXTREME COLD AND COULD POSE SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS DUE TO EXPOSURE AS WELL AS TRAFFIC INCIDENTS DUE TO VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT FROM THE SMOKE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176704

45,000 miles · Nov 12, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

1. I PURCHASED A USED 2003 CADILLAC CTS IN 2005 WITH 45,000 ORIGINAL MILES FROM A GM DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, OREGON. IT WAS REPUTED TO BE IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION BY THE GM MECHANICS. 2. THIS VEHICLE HAS SINCE CUT ENGINE POWER SPONTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TOWN, PRESENTING SUDDEN AND SERIOUS DANGER T…

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1. I PURCHASED A USED 2003 CADILLAC CTS IN 2005 WITH 45,000 ORIGINAL MILES FROM A GM DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, OREGON. IT WAS REPUTED TO BE IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION BY THE GM MECHANICS. 2. THIS VEHICLE HAS SINCE CUT ENGINE POWER SPONTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TOWN, PRESENTING SUDDEN AND SERIOUS DANGER TO DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND OTHER MOTORISTS AS THE VEHICLE MUST BE STEERED POWERLESS TO THE MEDIAN/SHOULDER. ONCE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 75 MPH FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE NEARLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. 3. GM TECH'S ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AFTER 7-8 ATTEMPTS, SO IT CONTINUES TO RECUR. GM REFUSES TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THEIR INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE, ENFORCE THE WARRANTY, AND THE OBVIOUS DANGER TO ALL INVOLVED. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WOULD NOT ARBITRATE BECAUSE MILEAGE WAS OVER 24,000. I AM CURRENTLY SEEKING LEGAL COUNSEL, BUT FEEL THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173217

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2006
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS PROJECT A BLACK BAR AT NIGHT ACROSS ROADWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND OBSTRUCTS STREET SIGNS. TALKED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169873

42,000 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE STABILITY SYSTEM COMES ON, DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL IF ON, AND JERKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT SITUATION NOT RESOLVED. THE STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED MESSAGE COMES ON AT AN AVERAGE OF EVERY 2 MINUTES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167888

40,000 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Electronic Stability Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 30 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE M…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 30 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RETURNED SEVERAL DAYS LATER. UPDATED 09/19/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166701

51,000 miles · Aug 8, 2006
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE BEING APPLIED, CAUSING DELAY IN STOPPING TIME. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS GONE OUT AND HAS METAL GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HAVE TO GET COMPRESSOR REPLACED ALREADY AND IT IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $2300. CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, THE STEE…

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BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE BEING APPLIED, CAUSING DELAY IN STOPPING TIME. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS GONE OUT AND HAS METAL GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HAVE TO GET COMPRESSOR REPLACED ALREADY AND IT IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $2300. CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, THE STEERING SYSTEM SENSOR IS GONE OUT AND IS GOING TO COST $500 TO GET REPLACED. FM RADIO HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE WORKING. THIS IS THE NEWEST CAR I'VE HAD AND THE WORST CAR. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS, I THINK THIS CAR IS A TOTAL DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WAS AT 51000 MILES WHEN THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AND I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THAT IS CLEARLY FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS USED IN THIS CAR IT IS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS, AND IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS WHICH I FEEL NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164890

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.