IllustrationWHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH AN 18 WHEELER. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE 6 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
400–25K
3025–50K
4750–75K
4275–100K
52100–150K
8150K+
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 reportsTHERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE FRONT END/STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT ONLY FEELS LIKE THERE IS BRAKES ON THE LEFT SIDE, PULLING THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT.*AK. DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE, REPLACED SENSOR IN STEERING WHEEL PART # 26059045. *AK
LOUD HIGH PITCH HOWLING NOISE HEARD FROM INSIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND OVER. THE FIRST TRIP TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIND NOISE. THE SECOND TIME AT THE DEALER'S I WAS TOLD IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 2003 CTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. *AK THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ROUGH JERKS AT SHIFTS, VIBRATION AT MID TO HIGH SPEEDS, LOUD NOISE FROM BACK TIRES WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS, BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD ALONG WITH SMOKING, WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHT, BLA…
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WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. *AK THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ROUGH JERKS AT SHIFTS, VIBRATION AT MID TO HIGH SPEEDS, LOUD NOISE FROM BACK TIRES WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS, BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD ALONG WITH SMOKING, WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHT, BLACK EXHAUST DUST/DIRT IN THE TAIL PIPE, THE ENGINE WOULD SHAKE. THE JERKING WAS AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE IN DRIVE. *SC *JB
MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT 30,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FULL OF METAL AND STATED THAT THE WHOLE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED SINCE THE METAL CHURNING THROUGH THE GEARS RUINS THE WHOLE UNIT. 7,000 MILES LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. THE DEALER AGAI…
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MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT 30,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FULL OF METAL AND STATED THAT THE WHOLE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED SINCE THE METAL CHURNING THROUGH THE GEARS RUINS THE WHOLE UNIT. 7,000 MILES LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. THE DEALER AGAIN FOUND METAL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL, BUT THIS TIME CADILLAC TOLD THEM TO SIMPLY PUT SOME SPECIAL LUBRICANT IN IT! ALL THIS, AFTER THEY TOLD ME LAST TIME THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM REQUIRES REPLACEMENT, AND NOTHING LESS. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS AND SHOCKINGLY ENOUGH, THE MAGIC LUBE DID NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM. AFTER READING SEVERAL REPORTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF THIS CAR SIEZE UP(EVEN CAUSING ACCIDENTS), I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LOANER. I WAS DENIED A LOANER, AND THE MANAGER HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. WHY ON EARTH THEY FIXED A "NORMAL" CAR THE FIRST TIME IS BEYOND ME. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO SHOW ME ANOTHER CAR ON THE LOT THAT MAKES THE SAME NOISE, THEY BACKED DOWN. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR! *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ALL KINDS OF SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. SHE COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE ON AN OPEN ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE. ALSO, TIRES WOBBLED. DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL ITEMS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. *AK
THERE WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO WADRIVE. *MR THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL TO STOP OR SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED OR HIS MONEY BACK. *SC *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEEDS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, T HE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT IT WAS INEFFECTIVE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
TIRES ARE CUPPING AT 15,000 MILES. IT'S CAUSING VIBRATION AND NOISE. I ROTATED THEM AT 10,000. *AK
Official recalls
414V394000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.