2004 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
294 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Cadillac CTS, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 67/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 22,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2004 Cadillac CTS sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2010, 2012, 2015–2017.
Avoid
Where 2004 sits among all CTS years
What owners report
“At about 100k i noticed the axle seals on the rear differential is leaking. There are recalls on this but not based on my vin number. When i noticed this the car was on a lift in the air being inspected by a mechanic.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 CTS
“My car was in motion on the interstate. The car is used but excellent condition and recently purchased. I felt a jolt got off the next exit and car will not start, all batteries come on, everything else works”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 CTS
“My husband was driving home and the brakes went out and he had to pump them to be able to stop. Upon reasearching the campaign number came up. His brake light came and and upon inspecting the brake lines and checking the fluid it was low and the lines appear to be corroded. Cadillac stated there is…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 CTS
“Severe side impact, both driver side doors and center pillar crushed. Side air bags did not deploy.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 CTS
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 217 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 57,684 miles. Half of those reports fall between 21,654 and 97,979 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
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.…
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…
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"…
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.
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.…
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…
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…
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.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 07V589000.
Technical service bulletins
565 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2004 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 2004 Cadillac CTS reliable?
The 2004 Cadillac CTS drew 294 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 67/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2004 Cadillac CTS problems?
The top reported problems for the 2004 Cadillac CTS are transmission & drivetrain (56 complaints), electrical (43), and brakes & stability (41).
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Owners most often report 2004 Cadillac CTS problems around 57,684 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 21,654 and 97,979 miles.
Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 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.