2003 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
450 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Cadillac CTS, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 75,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2003 Cadillac CTS sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2010, 2012, 2015–2017.
Avoid
Where 2003 sits among all CTS years
What owners report
“Car shuts down while driving on freeway/and city leaving me to have to put it in neutral to start back up. While car is rolling .”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
“While driving at any speed,the vehicle will suddenly shut off. The steering wheel and the brake pedal becomes very stiff. Consumer feels its very unsafe to drive. Please provide any further information.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
“Brakes failed. Brake pedal went to the floor. There was no warning light. Vehicle is a 2004 cts.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
“Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the floorboard stays wet and this is a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
“Airbag light is stuck on. After researching issue there was a recall on the passenger side seat airbag sensor. Called dealer and was told this car wasn't part of the recall for this issue. Seems like the same reason the other cars were recalled.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
“While driving at a steady speed and for no apparent reason, the stability system engaged, i was unable to control vehicle, could not engage brakes, vehicle began losing power & stalled in freeway traffic. Lastly, the brakes vibrate and the car's valve cover gaskets are made of plastic which may…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 CTS
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 312 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 73,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 40,000 and 107,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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.…
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.…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
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…
Technical service bulletins
506 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2003 Cadillac CTS. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?
The 2003 Cadillac CTS drew 450 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2003 Cadillac CTS problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Cadillac CTS are electrical (96 complaints), engine (71), and brakes & stability (51).
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Cadillac CTS problems around 73,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 40,000 and 107,000 miles.
Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.