Major Problems with 2003 Cadillac CTS Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Cadillac CTS

2003 Cadillac CTS AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 16000 miles

2003 Cadillac CTS FRONTAL Victims: 2

2003 Cadillac CTS AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 127000 miles

Browse 2003 Cadillac CTS complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS and ENGINE are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Cadillac CTS owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle was at a complete stop with foot on brakes and it accelerated at a high speed.*akconsumer had stopped with...	45 ~ 56077 miles
AIR BAGS the consumer stopped at a red light when the light turned green he proceeded and began to skid on unseen...	29 ~ 63064 miles
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph the engine compartment...	27 ~ 83975 miles
STEERING the consumer received a recall letter regarding the steering bolt however the dealership knew nothing about the recall. *jb...	21 ~ 53414 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL i have a 2003 cadillac cts with 52 000. miles ..i bought it new /demo with 4 000. miles on...	20 ~ 73154 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING the rear back up light fell off my 2003 cadillac cts. i called the dealership to see about getting another...	19 ~ 71746 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while parking and shifting vehicle into park and without any indication vehicle took off resulting in a crash. please provide	19 ~ 44512 miles
SERVICE BRAKES i was driving home from work when this first happened. all of a sudden a loud screeching noise and the...	18 ~ 71442 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the dealer unkinked a fuel tank hose. this problem made it difficult to pump gas into the tank. this vehicle...	15 ~ 59505 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the floorboard stays wet and this is a distraction	12 ~ 20839 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING a black bar appears about 75 feet in front of the car with the low beams on. this is particularly...	12 ~ 11960 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i drive a 2003 cadillac cts. i noticed the brakes seemed to need repair (not responsive enough) and the "brake...	11 ~ 86566 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING after heavy rain and if undercarriage gets wet "oil pressure low" warning alert. requesting driver to stop engine. dealer can	11 ~ 51598 miles
POWER TRAIN bought car in august of 2004 this is the fourth time car has been put in shop. car would be...	10 ~ 48507 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the rear tag panel detached from the vehicle...	9 ~ 96778 miles
SUSPENSION steering wheel vibration. *ak...	9 ~ 49333 miles
STRUCTURE the dealer unkinked a fuel tank hose. this problem made it difficult to pump gas into the tank. this vehicle...	8 ~ 11620 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC recall 03v115000 concerning intermediate steering shaft bolt. while driving 5-10 mph vehicle suddenly lost steering gear off to the right...	7 ~ 30218 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN the differential in my 03 cadillac cts developed a serious leak. the defect required (3) trips to the dealer to...	7 ~ 19930 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the dealer unkinked a fuel tank hose. this problem made it difficult to pump gas into the tank. this vehicle...	7 ~ 44112 miles
TRUNK LID > BODY > STRUCTURE dt*: the contact stated while opening the trunk lid the hinges that hold the trunk lid open failed. as a	5 ~ 33332 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN car was put in reverse to back out of parking space but went forward instead jumped curb and hit light	5 ~ 16634 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM 2003 cts - service tracking system began to display and engage frequently. took to local dealer and was told nothing...	4 ~ 99850 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while making a left turn consumer's vehicle collided with an 18 wheeler. upon impact none of the 6 air bags	4 ~ 31750 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT when the air conditioner was used the windshield became fogged. the vehicle has been taken to dealer 4-5 times but	4 ~ 48750 miles
WHEELS i was riding down the street and i heard a scrubbing noise cumming from like behind my wheel when i...	3 ~ 87477 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving 30 mph the vehicle stalled. the consumer managed to restart the vehicle. *ak there was a loud noise...	3 ~ 14000 miles
TIRES tires needed replacement at 30 000 miles due to wear and poor condition. the tires came with the new vehicle....	3 ~ 14667 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS my cadillac cts (2003) was hit directly in the drivers door at approximately 50-55 mph and the side impact or...	3 ~ 5667 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY windshield gets fogged up makes visibility difficult when driving. dt...	3 ~ 7 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the dealer unkinked a fuel tank hose. this problem made it difficult to pump gas into the tank. this vehicle...	3
SIDEWALL > TIRES the right front tire had a huge bulge in the sidewall. original tires with 17 481 miles on them (goodyear	3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM the crank and cam sensors have caused the vehicle to stall out while driving or being stopped. i have seen...	2 ~ 86500 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the air bag and anti-theft warning lamp illuminated...	2 ~ 67500 miles
BACK UP LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the rear back up light panel has a plastic cover over it. mine fell off and i am having a...	2 ~ 90000 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING purchased 2003 cts used in 2007 with 54 000 miles. at 60 000 miles the serpentine belt broke and destroyed...	2 ~ 39500 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated there was an abnormal noise coming from the front-end...	2 ~ 105788 miles
EQUIPMENT i've had numerous problems ever since i bought my 2003 cadillac cts. my engine starts smoking under the hood when...	2 ~ 34391 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. while the contact was attempting to back his vehicle out of his driveway...	2 ~ 61000 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL there needs to be an in-depth investigation regarding the number of cts and cts-v rear differentials that have been replaced....	2 ~ 13000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS my brakes and rotors had to be replaced after only 20 000 miles. within 6 months my brake pads again...	2 ~ 35500 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2003 cadillac cts no sevice lights on when stopped at light smoke coming from under the hood then smoke inside...	2
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brakes failed. brake pedal went to the floor. there was no warning light. vehicle is a 2004 cts....	2 ~ 10220 miles
AUTOMATIC (ASC) > ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the 2003 cts is equipped with stability system. seems that the stability system can fail whereas it engages at high...	2 ~ 37500 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i am and have been experiencing numerous failures with my vehicle. i have contacted gm numerous times beginning approximately a...	2 ~ 25950 miles
CONCEALMENT DEVICES > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the head lamps project a visible bar across sight line. when going down a small incline the road disappears. *jb	2
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL dashboard went out intermittently. consumer took vehicle to dealer and repairs were made. however the problem kept coming back. on...	2 ~ 11200 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission 5th gear keeps going out origional and new trans. have both gone out all within 200 miles. gm will...	2
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the dealer unkinked a fuel tank hose. this problem made it difficult to pump gas into the tank. this vehicle...	2
SEATS airbag light is stuck on. after researching issue there was a recall on the passenger side seat airbag sensor. called...	1 ~ 107000 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER my 2003 cadillac cts caught on fire. fireman said that it was the windshield wiper module that caught on fire....	1 ~ 130000 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. while the vehicle was at a stop the rear window exploded with...	1 ~ 200000 miles
NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. when the contact opened the vehicle doors with the key fob the...	1 ~ 49000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the gas hand stopped working. also the speedometer stopped working. *tr...	1
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. while driving at approximately 35 mph the vehicle stalled. the failure recurred...	1 ~ 190000 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. while driving at approximately 35 mph the vehicle stalled. the failure recurred...	1 ~ 190000 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the license plate light covering was fractured and...	1 ~ 89000 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2003 cadilac cts. consumer writes in regards to problems with brake system *tgw the consumer stated the metal brake line...	1
VISIBILITY had the wipers on rain stopped windshield wipers would not shut off. brought car to be diagnosed. found wiper power...	1 ~ 71937 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION i have a 2003 cadillac cts. the rear axle assembly seized while driving appx 55mph causing the rear of the...	1 ~ 150000 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph the vehicle stalled and none...	1 ~ 130000 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the theft deterrent system was faulty and he...	1 ~ 60000 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT the exterior back brake lights fell off my cadillac cts 2003 model. i have noticed a majority of the 2003...	1 ~ 92000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY i've had numerous problems ever since i bought my 2003 cadillac cts. my engine starts smoking under the hood when...	1 ~ 68782 miles
EXTERNAL > WARNINGS > BACK OVER PREVENTION the license plate back up light assembly to my cadillac cts 2003 mysteriously came up missing. this is a costly...	1
CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the pcv passage froze and caused oil to spill...	1 ~ 66164 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that in december 2009 while driving at a slow speed...	1 ~ 30000 miles
SEAT BELTS minor traffic accident drivers seatbelt buckle exploded releasing seatbelt steering wheel airbag deployed from the side. insurance company has the	1 ~ 115000 miles
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2003 cadillac cts - i bought this car on 03/10/07 within 1 month the first failure was due to a	1 ~ 79000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 2003 cadillac cts - i bought this car on 03/10/07 within 1 month the first failure was due to a	1 ~ 79000 miles
RIM > WHEELS tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. the contact stated that all four rims on his vehicle seemed to "de-laminate"...	1 ~ 36000 miles
MID/REAR ASSEMBLY > SEATS dt: the consumer states that on 2003 cadillac cts it is very hard to get the car seat in and	1 ~ 14000 miles
MACPHERSON STRUT > FRONT > SUSPENSION there needs to be an in-depth investigation regarding the number of cts and cts-v rear differentials that have been replaced....	1 ~ 26000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR there needs to be an in-depth investigation regarding the number of cts and cts-v rear differentials that have been replaced....	1 ~ 26000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1) flickering display lights buzzing when turn signal engaged battery died after 30 000 mile maintenance eight [8] consecutive times	1 ~ 27772 miles
SHAFT SECTOR > GEAR BOX > STEERING recall 03v115000 concerning intermediate steering shaft bolt. while driving 5-10 mph vehicle suddenly lost steering gear off to the right...	1 ~ 13000 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY we purchased sts in aug 03 and noticed the first day a small hairline crack in the front windshield upper...	1
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS while driving vehicle was involved in a collision. upon impact air bags did not deploy. the head rest failed. consumer...	1
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN rear differential whine on my 2003 cadillac cts. the slightest pressure under light acceleration causes the whine. dealers are useless.	1 ~ 25000 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tires are cupping at 15 000 miles. it's causing vibration and noise. i rotated them at 10 000. *ak...	1
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2002 cadallic ctc has not truck key lock. adverse conditions occur when the battery fails as all and i mean...	1
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS premature wear out of front brake pads and rotor (95%) wear at 22 000 miles with light usage. (no hills	1 ~ 22000 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY sun roof malfunctiones begins intermittently with either slow or non-response when turning dial to close gradually worsens. sunroof has opened...	1 ~ 5602 miles
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING the power steering failed which made the vehicle difficult to control. *jb...	1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR consumer states the vehicle was parked in the sams club parking lot. consumer states that the emergency parking brake was	1
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT the consumer stopped at a red light when the light turned green he proceeded and began to skid on unseen...	1
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the consumer stopped at a red light when the light turned green he proceeded and began to skid on unseen...	1
LINKAGES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the consumer stopped at a red light when the light turned green he proceeded and began to skid on unseen...	1
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 2003 cadillac cts. car fuel gauge went to empty resulting in car to die. speedometer and tactometer spiked then fuel...	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING component in steering column failed....leaving a lot of play in steering wheel at high speeds. censors did not pick up...	1
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving at any speed the vehicle will suddenly shut off. the steering wheel and the brake pedal becomes very	1
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING steering mechanism failed on 2003 cadillac cts. *mr the power steering mechanism failed which made the vehicle difficult to...	1
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING steering mechanism failed on 2003 cadillac cts. *mr the power steering mechanism failed which made the vehicle difficult to...	1
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS the vehicle had the old air bag sensor. the consumer would like to receive the new sensor that was placed...	1
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES problems with psi for vehicle tire equipment.*mr. the consumer stated the outdoor sticker on the vehicle stated for 17 inch...	1

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