KnownCarProblems2004 Cadillac Cts Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac Cts, most often about the transmission (23% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles). It is 4th of 17 Cts model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2004 Cadillac Cts problems
Transmission
52 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
Rear end differential assembly underrated for vehicle. The differential whined up until failure. The differential was replaced under warranty.
I just purchased this vehicle and noticed a whine in the rear. Took it in to lindsay Cadillac (great dealership) and they are now replacing the bearings. I hear this is a common problem with Cts-v's and I'm worried about what will happen when the warranty ends....
Brakes
36 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was applied. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Noticed puddle on garage floor so moved car out on driveway and found that it was oil on floor. Went back to car and there was a wet spot behind wheel on drivers side. Moved car back and it was oil. Made decision to go to closest place to have problem checked that I trusted and went to big o tire. By the time I got…
Electrical
34 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles.
My Cadillac Cts 2004 key is stuck in the ignition and will not release. The car was towed to two different dealerships one said it was a battery. I purchased a new one that wasn't the problem and one thought it was the alternator and that wasn't the problem. I did have a recall on the key ring and got that taken care…
Car with intermittant starting problems. Car was able to take a jump but no longer able to take jumps. Went to start car and key stuck in ignition, temp gauge and gas gauge not working. Service theft system on. The vehicle is unable to move from driveway. Has tried both cars keys and no change. Had battery, alternator…
Air bags
26 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. While driving 35 MPH, the check air bag warning indicator continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that there were no recalls on her vehicle and could not assist. Nhtsa campaign id number 05v024000 was referenced. The contact also stated that the engine…
While pulling inside of a parking lot the consumer applied the brakes, placed the vehicle in reverse and the vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The driver placed the vehicle in drive and the vehicle suddenly…
Engine
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
My Cadillac Cts 2004 key is stuck in the ignition and will not release. The car was towed to two different dealerships one said it was a battery. I purchased a new one that wasn't the problem and one thought it was the alternator and that wasn't the problem. I did have a recall on the key ring and got that taken care…
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. The contact was driving 10 MPH when fluid began leaking from the vehicle abnormally and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer advised that the transmission coolant line fractured from the radiator. The dealer advised replacing…
Body and structure
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. While attempting to close the trunk manually, it rapidly closed down. The contact was concerned for their safety and stated that it could cause injuries. Due to the distance and the contact's handicap, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH after making a turn at a stop sign, the rear passenger's side door un-latched independently. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Suspension
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
While driving 40 MPH the rear end locked. As a result, the rear end began spinning out of control. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who replaced the rear because of noise. Less than three miles from the dealer the vehicle the consumer heard noise and the rear end locked. As a result the vehicle did three 360 degree…
Sporadic brake failures on a 2004 Cadillac Cts. Car has had front left hub/speed sensor assembly replaced 4 times per authorized dealership recommendation starting at <20k miles. Brake failure occurring every few days, typically at low speed but now starting at higher speeds. Nearly ran over pedestrian in parking lot.…
Steering
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Cts. The contact heard a tapping and grinding sound under her feet while driving, and also felt something in the steering wheel. She took the vehicle to her local mechanic and had it diagnosed. The mechanic stated that the driver's side control arm was the cause of the failure, and is…
2004 Cts v-6 3.6l,rear wheel drive , this car has play in steering wheel at about 12 o'clock position . Play is always there no matter what speed you are at. Play in wheel is about 1 inch each way , it is difficult to steer/ control at higher speeds .right or left. This could be an unsafe condition
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Cadillac Cts recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. Gm sent out interim notices in late october. The recall began on march 12, 2015. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. Gm's number for this recall is 14405.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 cadillac cts-v vehicles manufactured october 6, 2003, to march 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 cadillac sts-v vehicles manufactured june 23, 2005, to march 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
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.
Air bags
Risk: A person positioned for driving may receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.
Fix: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The recall began on may 20, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, an interaction between the sensing and diagnostic module and vehicle's electrical system may cause the driver's frontal air bag and/or roof-mounted side impact air bag to deploy when the ignition key is turned to the "on" position.
Steering: linkages
Risk: If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
Seats
Risk: In some crash conditions, the seat could pivot rearward and its occupant or a rear seat occupant could be injured more severely.
Fix: Dealers will ensure that both front anchor tabs are fully seated in the floor pan reinforcement slots. Owner notification began september 19, 2003. Owners should contact gm at 1-800-458-8006.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." one or both front anchor tabs for the front bucket seats are not engaged in the floor pan reinforcement slots. A seat with only one tab engaged or neither engaged would not meet the static rearward loading test requirements of the standard.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear drivetrain component failure
Summary
In july of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential may fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation gm issued recall 07v-589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate complaints of fractured rear differential housings or rear half shafts in high performance cadillac cts-v vehicles.according to gm, these failures resulted from the cumulative damage from multiple power hop events that can occur during very aggressive driving. In february 2008 in
Failure of the rear differential
Summary
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning defective rear axle pinion seals in approximately 275,936 model year (my) 2005-07 cadillac cts, sts and srx vehicles as well as my 2006-07 pontiac solstice and my 2007 saturn sky vehicles (recall 07v-589).on sts and srx vehicles with all wheel drive, the front axle pinion seal also does not meet all of gm's specifications and may e
Questions about the 2004 Cadillac Cts
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Cts?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (52 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles); brakes (36 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); electrical (34 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Cts have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 9, 2014 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Cadillac Cts?
- It is 4th of 17 Cts model years by number of complaints, with 224 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.