2003 CADILLAC CTS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
450
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
94
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
The 2003 CADILLAC CTS has received a total of 450 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. 94 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (48 complaints), Air Bags (30 complaints), and Engine (29 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS, potentially affecting up to 2,449,119 vehicles.
Recall 14V394000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 554,328 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 10V105000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 139,131 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Recall 03V250000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
| 1,707,825 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V115000 — STEERING
| 47,835 vehicles affected
Defect: SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
450 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 CADILLAC CTS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
General Motors, LLC has issued 94 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PI01336A — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have static on AM band with brake applied. Technician will need to change the radio antenna preference on the radio from local to distant. Also check the setting to ensure the radio is not in Alternate Frequency....
14172D — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
050309001 — SUSPENSION
RATTLE NOISE IN REAR END OVER BUMPS. *TT
020730026 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONCERNS WITH LAUNCH SHUDDER FELT ON HARD ACCELERATION. *TT
040898003 — STRUCTURE:BODY
LAMINATED STEELS -- GENERAL INFORMATION AND SPECIFIC REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR LOWER RAIL REPLACEMENT. *TT
610 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTING. GM TECH LINK. *TT
020730002 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON 5L40E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS. *SLC *AR
020730002 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON 5L40E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS. *SLC *AR
040139008 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
LIMITED ABILITY TO CONTROL WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER TEMPERATURE. *EH
020852004B — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) SYSTEMS DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY / INOPERATIVE. *TT
Showing 10 of 94 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 CADILLAC CTS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC CTS
- 2003 CADILLAC CTS (current)
- 2004 CADILLAC CTS — 294 complaints
- 2005 CADILLAC CTS — 396 complaints
- 2006 CADILLAC CTS — 366 complaints
- 2007 CADILLAC CTS — 311 complaints
- 2008 CADILLAC CTS — 251 complaints
Other CADILLAC Models
- CADILLAC SRX — 4,131 total complaints
- CADILLAC DEVILLE — 3,659 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE — 2,120 total complaints
- CADILLAC SEVILLE — 1,049 total complaints
- CADILLAC CATERA — 826 total complaints
- CADILLAC DTS — 725 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV — 633 total complaints
- CADILLAC STS — 609 total complaints