CADILLAC CTS · model year

2003 CADILLAC CTS

450 NHTSA complaints, 46 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CADILLACCTS carries 450 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 46 crashes, 19 fires, 34 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 CTS is electrical system with 48 filings, followed by air bags (30) and engine (29). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2003 CTS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

450
Complaints
46
Crashes
19
Fires
34
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

450 filings

Crashes Reported

46 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM48
AIR BAGS30
ENGINE29
STEERING22
SERVICE BRAKES21
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19
EXTERIOR LIGHTING19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC11
POWER TRAIN10
SUSPENSION9

Recalls (4)

03V11500024/03/2003

STEERING

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.

10V10500017/03/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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,

03V25000015/07/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

14V39400002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 agen

Recent Complaints

20230409FireSERVICE BRAKES

Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is LOTS of AIR Coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at Few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new coolant box or another name for it.. so now I can't drive it because my fluids keep coming out of the coolant tank please help me I don't know what to do. To complete this message I've even had a smog twice nonpassable. - Thank you any Questions [XXX] call/ text INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20230409FireENGINE

Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is LOTS of AIR Coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at Few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new coolant box or another name for it.. so now I can't drive it because my fluids keep coming out of the coolant tank please help me I don't know what to do. To complete this message I've even had a smog twice nonpassable. - Thank you any Questions [XXX] call/ text INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20230409FireSTEERING

Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is LOTS of AIR Coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at Few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new coolant box or another name for it.. so now I can't drive it because my fluids keep coming out of the coolant tank please help me I don't know what to do. To complete this message I've even had a smog twice nonpassable. - Thank you any Questions [XXX] call/ text INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20220705ENGINE

The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the vehicle would suddenly stalled and the instrument panel would illuminate. The message stating "starting disabled remove key" would display. The contact stated that they would be able to coast and restart the vehicle. Other times the contact would have to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

Mileage: 121,000

20220705ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:HILL START ASSIST:CLUTCH SOLENOID

The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the vehicle would suddenly stalled and the instrument panel would illuminate. The message stating "starting disabled remove key" would display. The contact stated that they would be able to coast and restart the vehicle. Other times the contact would have to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

Mileage: 121,000

20210625ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The computer isn’t telling the alternator to charge the battery so the batteries are being all of the way drained without anything recharging them. Beans new batteries get ruined fast.

20200917AIR BAGS

THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE SINCE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

20200716SERVICE BRAKES

THERE IS A OPEN RECALL EFFECTING THIS YEAR & MAKE ALTHOUGH MY VIN SAYS THERE'S NO RECALLS ON MY CTS. I HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WE DIDN'T WRECK. I'VE SINCE HAD BOTH REPAIRED. CURIOUS AS TO KNOW WHY CAR WAS NOT LISTED WITH OPEN RECALL.

Mileage: 83,000

20200320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO BYPASS THE IGNITION WITH A JUMPER IN THE FUSEBOX

Mileage: 150,000

20191218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,900.

Mileage: 128,900

20191218ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,900.

Mileage: 128,900

20191106SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CHECK BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), WHICH HE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

20191028SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE DOOR LOCK AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WINTER CHEVROLET (3750 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565, (925) 232-0290) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES, KEY, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20191028ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE DOOR LOCK AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WINTER CHEVROLET (3750 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565, (925) 232-0290) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES, KEY, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20191028FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE DOOR LOCK AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WINTER CHEVROLET (3750 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565, (925) 232-0290) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES, KEY, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20190819ENGINE

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON THAT GO TO COLLEGE AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, HIS BEEN USING THIS CAR SINCE 2015 TILL 2019. RECENTY ABOUT A MONTH AGO HIS COMPLAINING THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR NO REASONS, HE SAYS THAT THE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY UP EVERYTIME HE DRIVE IT BUT ITS OK IF THE CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT IN PARK MODE. WE ENDED UP GOT THE CAR TOWED TO MERCED. SINCE JULY OF 2019, THE CAR IS THE GARAGE AND NEVER DRIVE. WE ONLY START THE CAR MOSTLY TO WARP UP THE ENGINE BUT NOT DRIVE. WE HAVE A FRIEND MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND CAN'T POINT OUT THE RIGHT PROBLEM, A LOT OF ASSUMPTION POSSIBLE THE THERMOSTAT, OR RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, OR THE FAN, ETC.

Mileage: 25

20190429POWER 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 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.

Mileage: 59,000

20190312FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 4:22 AM THIS MORNING MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS AWAKENED BY MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 CAR ALARM AS THE FLAMES WE'RE VISIBLE THRU MY BEDROOM WINDOW. AT WHICH TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO TURN ON THE WATER HOSE TO TURN OFF THE FIRE AS MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING IN THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND'S CAR WAS RIGHT NEXT TO MY CADI THAT HAD A FULL TANK OF FUEL. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO TURN OFF THE FIRE ON THE CADILLAC CTS 2003. AND FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES THE FIRE WAS STILL BLAZING AS THE FIREMEN UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FLAMES. MY CAR IS GONE AS IT BURNED DOWN. PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED. I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY AS THIS WAS ALL I COULD AFFORD. I THANK THE LORD THAT EVEN WHEN WE WERE IN HARM'S WAY, HE JEHOVAH GOD PROTECTED US. ALL THE GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST THAT THEIR WAS NO LOST OF LIFE. MATERIAL THINGS CAN BE REPLACED. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE. HE HAS TOTAL CONTROL AND I KNOW THAT HE WAS WITH US. I WAS NOT

Mileage: 157,000

20190312FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 4:22 AM THIS MORNING MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS AWAKENED BY MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 CAR ALARM AS THE FLAMES WE'RE VISIBLE THRU MY BEDROOM WINDOW. AT WHICH TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO TURN ON THE WATER HOSE TO TURN OFF THE FIRE AS MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING IN THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND'S CAR WAS RIGHT NEXT TO MY CADI THAT HAD A FULL TANK OF FUEL. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO TURN OFF THE FIRE ON THE CADILLAC CTS 2003. AND FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES THE FIRE WAS STILL BLAZING AS THE FIREMEN UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FLAMES. MY CAR IS GONE AS IT BURNED DOWN. PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED. I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY AS THIS WAS ALL I COULD AFFORD. I THANK THE LORD THAT EVEN WHEN WE WERE IN HARM'S WAY, HE JEHOVAH GOD PROTECTED US. ALL THE GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST THAT THEIR WAS NO LOST OF LIFE. MATERIAL THINGS CAN BE REPLACED. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE. HE HAS TOTAL CONTROL AND I KNOW THAT HE WAS WITH US. I WAS NOT

Mileage: 157,000

20190312FireENGINE

AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 4:22 AM THIS MORNING MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS AWAKENED BY MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 CAR ALARM AS THE FLAMES WE'RE VISIBLE THRU MY BEDROOM WINDOW. AT WHICH TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO TURN ON THE WATER HOSE TO TURN OFF THE FIRE AS MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING IN THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND'S CAR WAS RIGHT NEXT TO MY CADI THAT HAD A FULL TANK OF FUEL. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO TURN OFF THE FIRE ON THE CADILLAC CTS 2003. AND FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES THE FIRE WAS STILL BLAZING AS THE FIREMEN UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FLAMES. MY CAR IS GONE AS IT BURNED DOWN. PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED. I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY AS THIS WAS ALL I COULD AFFORD. I THANK THE LORD THAT EVEN WHEN WE WERE IN HARM'S WAY, HE JEHOVAH GOD PROTECTED US. ALL THE GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST THAT THEIR WAS NO LOST OF LIFE. MATERIAL THINGS CAN BE REPLACED. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE. HE HAS TOTAL CONTROL AND I KNOW THAT HE WAS WITH US. I WAS NOT

Mileage: 157,000

Compare 2003CADILLACCTS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CADILLAC CTS have?
The 2003 CADILLAC CTS has 450 NHTSA complaints, 46 crashes, 19 fires, 34 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS?
Yes, the 2003 CADILLAC CTS has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 CADILLAC CTS?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 48 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2003 CADILLAC CTS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.