2004 CADILLAC CTS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
294
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
70
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
The 2004 CADILLAC CTS has received a total of 294 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 70 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (34 complaints), Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit (32 complaints), and Service Brakes (21 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS, potentially affecting up to 839,163 vehicles.
Recall 14V542000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 10,005 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →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 05V024000 — AIR BAGS
| 87,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V273000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 41,928 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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 A CRASH.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V346000 — SEATS
| 6,771 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
294 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The output shaft flange for the transmission that mounts to the driveshaft coupler the flange starts to break away and then breaks . I can provide photos but the metal on the part is close the the end and if I did not find this problem by mistake the drive shaft would have came free
I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place and rendered the car undrivable. Fortunately, he was not injured or worse, but he was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed to our home and towed to our mechanic the following day. The repair needed and done was to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place and rendered the car undrivable. Fortunately, he was not injured or worse, but he was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed to our home and towed to our mechanic the following day. The repair needed and done was to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place and rendered the car undrivable. Fortunately, he was not injured or worse, but he was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed to our home and towed to our mechanic the following day. The repair needed and done was to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place, impairing the steering and motion, rendering the car undrivable. He was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed on a flatbed to our home and towed on a flatbed to our mechanic the following day. The repairs needed and done were to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe, and we are renting a car meanwhile. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Safety Rating for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 CADILLAC CTS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
General Motors, LLC has issued 70 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
14172A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
14172A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
14172B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
PIP-4492P — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC/HUMMER/PONTIAC/SAAB: OIL CONSUMPTION AND/OR EXHAUST SMOKE-POSSIBLE PCV BAFFLE OR LIFTER CONCERN. UPON INSPECTION, OBVIOUS OIL WILL BE FOUND IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR PCV VACUUM TUBE. *PE UPDATED 3/21/11. *PE UPDATED 5/9/11. *PE UPDATED 5/25/11. *PE UPDATED 06/16/2011. *KB UPDATED A SECOND TIME ON 06/16/2011. *KB UPDATED 6/27/11. *PE
TB-050601-001B — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CADILLAC: WHEN OPERATING IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, SOME VEHICLES MAY LEAK ENGINE OIL FROM THE CAM/VALVE COVER SEALS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE LEFT SIDE JUST BELOW THE OIL FILL HOLE IN THE CAM/VALVE COVER. *PE
SB05-04-114-001B — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
CADILLAC: CONTROLLING REAR AXLE OR WHEEL HOP ON FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION FROM A STANDSTILL AND/OR FULL THROTTLE 1-2 SHIFT (INSTALL SUPPLEMENTARY REAR SUB-FRAME BUSHINGS). *PE
050601013 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHINE, WHISTLE, RINGING TYPE NOISE HEARD FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. *TT
050730007 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT STAY IN SPORT MODE AFTER IGNITION IS CYCLED. *TT
702 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *TT
040603014 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DIAGNOSING A NO CRANK AND NO START CONDITION DUE TO DISCHARGED BATTERY. *TT
Showing 10 of 70 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2004 CADILLAC CTS.
Investigation EA07017 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT Closed
Opened:
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC CTS
- 2003 CADILLAC CTS — 450 complaints
- 2004 CADILLAC CTS (current)
- 2005 CADILLAC CTS — 396 complaints
- 2006 CADILLAC CTS — 366 complaints
- 2007 CADILLAC CTS — 311 complaints
- 2008 CADILLAC CTS — 251 complaints
- 2009 CADILLAC CTS — 222 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