NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
313 reportsMileage unknown · Apr 19, 2004
Exterior Lighting
HID HEADLIGHTS S.U.C.K., IN ALMOST ALL INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE HAD THE MISFORUNE OF HAVING A VEHICLE SO EQUIPED COMING AT ME I HAVE HAD TO SHIELD MY EYES BECAUSE OF THE GLARE AND EYE STRAIN. KNOWING THAT DOT AND ASSOCIATED AGENCIES SEEM TO HAVE A REGULATION FOR EVERYTHING AUTOMOTIVE. I THOUGHT MAYBE A USEFUL REGULATION COULD BE E…
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HID HEADLIGHTS S.U.C.K., IN ALMOST ALL INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE HAD THE MISFORUNE OF HAVING A VEHICLE SO EQUIPED COMING AT ME I HAVE HAD TO SHIELD MY EYES BECAUSE OF THE GLARE AND EYE STRAIN. KNOWING THAT DOT AND ASSOCIATED AGENCIES SEEM TO HAVE A REGULATION FOR EVERYTHING AUTOMOTIVE. I THOUGHT MAYBE A USEFUL REGULATION COULD BE ENACTED REGARDING THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THAT THE "BIG 3" ARE TRYING TO PASS OFF AS HEADLIGHTS. I AM NOW LIVING IN EUROPE AND HERE HEADLIGHTS DON'T GLARE DRIVERS LIKE US SPEC LIGHTS DO. WHY DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD HAVE REAL HEADLIGHS AND IN THE US WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE POORLY AIMED "FLOOD LIGHTS". CURRENT US HEADLIGHTS ARE IN SERIOUS NEED OF A NEW STANDARD THAT MATCHES THE REST OF THE WORLD. THAT WAY I, AND THE REST OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC, WON'T HAVE TO DRIVE WITH SUNGLASSES ON AT NIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066442
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2004
Electrical System
2002 CADALLIC CTC HAS NOT TRUCK KEY LOCK. ADVERSE CONDITIONS OCCUR WHEN THE BATTERY FAILS AS ALL, AND I MEAN ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. ONE CANNOT GET INTO THE TRUNK,USE THE PHONE, OR EVEN GET THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. BUT, NOT HAVING A KEY LOCK FOR THE TRUCK IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10062546
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2004
Tires
TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 30,000 MILES DUE TO WEAR AND POOR CONDITION. THE TIRES CAME WITH THE NEW VEHICLE. I HAD PREVIOUS;LY REQUESTED THE DEALER AT ABOUT 24,000 MILES TO CHECK THE TIRES BECAUSE OF STEERING VIBRATION AND ABERRENT SOUNDS FROM THE WHEELS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060159
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2004
Power TrainCrash
CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE BUT WENT FORWARD INSTEAD, JUMPED CURB AND HIT LIGHT POLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10054689
8,316 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Exterior Lighting
WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON LOW BEAM THEY PRODUCED A DARK SPOT. AS A RESULT, VISION IS IMPAIRED. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10049859
22,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR (95%) WEAR AT 22,000 MILES WITH LIGHT USAGE. (NO HILLS, FLAT TERRAIN,) *LA
NHTSA ODI #10053010
1 miles · Oct 30, 2003
Exterior Lighting
(CORRECTED COMPLAINT) HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM ON THE CADILLAC CTS 2003 HAS A BLACK BAR THAT REDUCES VISION TO ABOUT 75 FEET AND ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS, THIS SHORTENED VISION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. WHAT WAS CADILLAC THINKING? CADILLAC DOESN'…
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(CORRECTED COMPLAINT) HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM ON THE CADILLAC CTS 2003 HAS A BLACK BAR THAT REDUCES VISION TO ABOUT 75 FEET AND ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS, THIS SHORTENED VISION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. WHAT WAS CADILLAC THINKING? CADILLAC DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T EVER DRIVE THEIR PRODUCT ON DARK ROADS AT NIGHT. THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED!! IT IS AWFUL! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045061
35,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Electronic Stability Control
THE 2003 CTS IS EQUIPPED WITH STABILITY SYSTEM. SEEMS THAT THE STABILITY SYSTEM CAN FAIL WHEREAS IT ENGAGES AT HIGH SPEED AND MOMENTARLY APPLIES BRAKING TO ONE WHEEL. DEALER (MCGINNIS CADILLAC) STATED IT WASN'T POSSIBLE, BIT DISCOVERED DURING ATEST DRIVE THAT IT WAS INDEED. AFTER A WEEK OF TRIAL AND ERROR THEY DISCOVERED A BA…
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THE 2003 CTS IS EQUIPPED WITH STABILITY SYSTEM. SEEMS THAT THE STABILITY SYSTEM CAN FAIL WHEREAS IT ENGAGES AT HIGH SPEED AND MOMENTARLY APPLIES BRAKING TO ONE WHEEL. DEALER (MCGINNIS CADILLAC) STATED IT WASN'T POSSIBLE, BIT DISCOVERED DURING ATEST DRIVE THAT IT WAS INDEED. AFTER A WEEK OF TRIAL AND ERROR THEY DISCOVERED A BAD SENSOR IN THE WHEEL. IMAGINE TRAVELING AT 70MPH AND HAVING ONE WHEEL MOMENTARLY LOCK UP DUE TO AN ONBOARD SYSTEM. HAS THE POTENTIAL OF DRAGGING THE CAR OUT OF IT'S LANE, PERHAPS EVEN UNDER A LARGE FREIGHT TRUCK. PERHAPS FLIPPING THE CAR AS WELL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10043827
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
STEERING MECHANISM FAILED ON 2003 CADILLAC CTS. *MR THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM FAILED, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT WAS UNDER TORQUED. THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK LEAKED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED. THE CONS…
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STEERING MECHANISM FAILED ON 2003 CADILLAC CTS. *MR THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM FAILED, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT WAS UNDER TORQUED. THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK LEAKED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUMP GAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE GAS LINE. A RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SQUEAKING FROM THE FRONT END, AND A HOLLOW SOUND WHEN PASSING OVER BUMPS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN ACCORDANCE TO THE LEMON LAW BILL. (LAWYER, JOSEPH ARDITO ON BEHALF OF CLIENT ROBERT GENOVESE)*SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10044158
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Tires
PROBLEMS WITH PSI FOR VEHICLE TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OUTDOOR STICKER ON THE VEHICLE STATED FOR 17 INCH TIRES, THEY SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 30 PSI, HOWEVER THE GM SHOP MANUAL STATED THE TIRES SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 35 PSI. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO CHECK WITH HIS LOCAL DEALER TO FIND OUT THE CORRECT TIRE PR…
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PROBLEMS WITH PSI FOR VEHICLE TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OUTDOOR STICKER ON THE VEHICLE STATED FOR 17 INCH TIRES, THEY SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 30 PSI, HOWEVER THE GM SHOP MANUAL STATED THE TIRES SHOULD BE INFLATED TO 35 PSI. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO CHECK WITH HIS LOCAL DEALER TO FIND OUT THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042640
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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