2003 Cadillac Cts Problems and Recalls (311 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2003 Cadillac Cts is Engine (15% of 311 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 311 complaints · 4 recalls
What problems show up on the 2003 Cadillac Cts?
48 of 311 filings named Engine (15% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Electrical (39 reports).
There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.
What owners reported
System named most often: Engine 48 complaints · 15.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 29
- Fires 12
- Injuries 21
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine (ENGINE) | 48 | 15.4% | 0 crashes · 6 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 39 | 12.5% | 4 crashes · 1 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 31 | 10.0% | 3 crashes · 1 fires |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 30 | 9.7% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 25 | 8.0% | 10 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 20 | 6.4% | 1 crashes · 1 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 18 | 5.8% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 15 | 4.8% | 3 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 14 | 4.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 139 | 44.7% | 11 crashes · 3 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 03V250000 was reported 421 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V105000 was reported 2,633 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 14V394000 was reported 4,307 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2002-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2002-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2003-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2003-Q2 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2003-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2003-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2004-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2004-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2004-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2004-Q4 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2005-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2005-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2005-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2005-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2006-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2006-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2006-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2007-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2007-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2007-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2007-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2008-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2008-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2010-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2012-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 03V115000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 03V250000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V105000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V394000 |
Safety Recalls (4)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes and Electrical.
-
Recall campaign 03V115000
Safety recall 03V115000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
-
Recall campaign 03V250000
Safety recall 03V250000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- 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 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.
-
Recall campaign 10V105000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 14V394000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- 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 may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 10 of 311 complaints · page 1 of 13
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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).
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The computer isn’t telling the alternator to charge the battery so the batteries are being all of the way drained without anything recharging them. Beans new batteries get ruined fast.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE SINCE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THERE IS A OPEN RECALL EFFECTING THIS YEAR & MAKE ALTHOUGH MY VIN SAYS THERE'S NO RECALLS ON MY CTS. I HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WE DIDN'T WRECK. I'VE SINCE HAD BOTH REPAIRED. CURIOUS AS TO KNOW WHY CAR WAS NOT LISTED WITH OPEN RECALL.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO BYPASS THE IGNITION WITH A JUMPER IN THE FUSEBOX
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,900.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CHECK BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), WHICH HE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE DOOR LOCK AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WINTER CHEVROLET (3750 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565, ([redacted]) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES, KEY, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON THAT GO TO COLLEGE AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, HIS BEEN USING THIS CAR SINCE 2015 TILL 2019. RECENTY ABOUT A MONTH AGO HIS COMPLAINING THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR NO REASONS, HE SAYS THAT THE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY UP EVERYTIME HE DRIVE IT BUT ITS OK IF THE CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT IN PARK MODE. WE ENDED UP GOT THE CAR TOWED TO MERCED. SINCE JULY OF 2019, THE CAR IS THE GARAGE AND NEVER DRIVE. WE ONLY START THE CAR MOSTLY TO WARP UP THE ENGINE BUT NOT DRIVE. WE HAVE A FRIEND MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND CAN'T POINT OUT THE RIGHT PROBLEM, A LOT OF ASSUMPTION POSSIBLE THE THERMOSTAT, OR RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, OR THE FAN, ETC.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2003 Cadillac Cts?
Owners named Engine most often — 48 of 311 reports (15%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2003 Cadillac Cts?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2003 Cadillac Cts?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.