KnownCarProblems2003 Cadillac Cts Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 313 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Cadillac Cts, most often about the engine (21% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cts model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Cadillac Cts problems
Engine
67 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the engine low power warning light illuminated as the engine stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the engine loss power warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the…
Starting around september, my car would randomly shut off while in motion, at various speeds. After hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees, I found some Cadillac forums stating it was a crank shaft sensor malfunction, which is common in 2003 models. My car would also show the traction control was off with no warning…
Electrical
56 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
2003 Cadillac Cts - the backup light assembly came off in car wash... Dealerships are well aware of problem but say their hands are tied because of gm. They said the reason was because the supplier to Cadillac used an incorrect epoxy to build the part. Gm knows about the issue but will do nothing. Part is over $550 to…
The 2003 Cadillac Cts has various electrical problems, where the power/instrument panel display cuts out repeatedly. The safety concern that alarmed me enough to find this form has happened 3 times where I am driving on the highway and suddenly the car's power shuts off and the message display is to re-start the car.…
Brakes
47 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact had driven 20 miles at approximately 40 MPH, when she attemped to brake and noticed that the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where she was informed that the brakes were corroded due to salty road conditions. Although she had…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated there was an abnormal noise coming from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10v105000 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) and the vehicle was taken…
Lights
37 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, back up lights, brake lights.
I've had numerous problems ever since I bought my 2003 Cadillac Cts. My engine starts smoking under the hood when I turn on my heater when it's cold outside. I replaced my brake lights several times. My windshield wiper module is broke. I had to get a new motor for my window because that broke. I had nothing but…
Dt: 2003 Cadillac Cts. Safety defect included the low beam lights. A shadow is present when the lights are on low beam. Contacted the local dealership and they told the consumer that they would fix the problem for 50% of the cost. While going around curves or on a hill one can see a shadow. Incident date was july 26…
Air bags
36 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when she attempted to avoid a crash by swerving. The contact crashed into the divider and the frontal land side air bags deployed only partially. In addition, the contact stated that there were holes in the air bags. The contact…
Bought car for teenage daughter and the air bag light came on. Found out 2005-2007 had a recall for this issue. Cadillac refuses to acknowledge that this is a safety issue and should take responsibility for repairs. I am concerned that until parts come in my new driver is unprotected if in an accident.
Steering
28 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While the contact was attempting to back his vehicle out of his driveway at a low speed, he noticed that the driver's side outer tie rod had completely detached from the vehicle. The failure damaged the inner tie rod. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the inner and outer tie…
Starting around september, my car would randomly shut off while in motion, at various speeds. After hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees, I found some Cadillac forums stating it was a crank shaft sensor malfunction, which is common in 2003 models. My car would also show the traction control was off with no warning…
Transmission
25 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, manual transmission.
There needs to be an in-depth investigation regarding the number of Cts and Cts-v rear differentials that have been replaced. I have now been through 2 personally, and an online poll of 65 Cts-v owners showed this: 26% have had 1 replacement, 5% have had 2 or more replaced, and 8% have had 3 or more replaced. The link…
We own a 2003 Cts Cadillac with 40,000 miles and still under warranty. I have had the car in for repair several times for the same reason. The car shakes at certain speeds. Eg. 47, 59,65,69, and 75 miles per hour. The wheel actually shakes in my hands. It is a problem with the transmission. Cadillac stated it was…
Speed control
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
When driving it would engage to stability mode and also service stability.. However the car would get out of control and it would be as if you put you brakes on when you were in water... But no water and I hadn't put the brake until I had to.. Because it went out of control for a quick (but more frequent) time...I…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH the reduced power warning message displayed on the LED screen. The contact stated that the vehicle had no throttle response and began to decelerate independently. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and turn the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Cadillac Cts recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: The brake hose-tube interface may rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance may occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt may be loose.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac Cts
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Cts?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (67 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (56 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); brakes (47 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Cts have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 2, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Cadillac Cts?
- It is the most complained-about Cts model year since 2000, with 313 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.