Model year record

2003 Cadillac CTS

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 450 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V394000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 554,328
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-07-02
Owners notified: 2014-09-15

Defect description

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 year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V105000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 139,131
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-03-17
Owners notified: 2010-05-04

Defect description

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 THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 03V250000

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

Component: Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,707,825
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-07-15
Owners notified: 2003-08-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 03V115000

Steering

Component: Steering
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 47,835
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-03-24
Owners notified: 2003-03-20

Defect description

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	48	74,000 mi
Air bags	30	102,000 mi
Engine	29	83,397 mi
Steering	22	83,000 mi
Service brakes	21	108,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	20	80,204 mi
Exterior lighting	19	76,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	19	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	15	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	12	200 mi
Unknown or other	12	38,572 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	11	45,282 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	11	80,000 mi
Power train	10	72,579 mi
Structure: body	9	89,000 mi
Suspension	9	51,000 mi
Structure	8	5,007 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	7	68,782 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	7	17,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	7	30,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	5	20,170 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid	5	25,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	12,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	51,000 mi
Traction control system	4	80,204 mi
Air bags: side/window	3	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	3	16,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	3	—
Fuel/propulsion system	3	103,000 mi
Tires	3	21,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	3	1,200 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	3	20 mi
Wheels	3	116,432 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	135,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)	2	35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	5,000 mi
Equipment	2	68,782 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights	2	55,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	2,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	440 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	2	80,576 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	20,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	2	54,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	400 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	26,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert	1	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Electrical system: adas: hill start assist: clutch solenoid	1	121,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	190,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	190,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	27,772 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	66,164 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices	1	60,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)	1	49,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	30,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	89,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	79,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	79,000 mi
Power train: driveline	1	25,000 mi
Seat belts	1	115,000 mi
Seats	1	107,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Seats: mid/rear assembly	1	14,000 mi
Service brakes, air	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	26,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	22,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	1	—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	1	13,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	1	—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	26,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	150,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	—
Tires: tread/belt	1	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—
Visibility	1	71,937 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	130,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	200,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	5,602 mi
Visibility: windshield	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	68,782 mi
Wheels: rim	1	36,000 mi

The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.