NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Cadillac CTS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Cadillac CTS has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 313 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Cadillac CTS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Cadillac CTS owner complaints

Owners have filed 313 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Cadillac CTS, describing incidents dated March 15, 2002 to May 6, 2021.

Most-cited components

Engine 67 complaints
Electrical System 56 complaints
Service Brakes 47 complaints
Exterior Lighting 37 complaints
Air Bags 36 complaints
Steering 28 complaints

Of the 313 complaints on file, 29 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 313 complaints, owners report 21 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11516158 · Filed April 9, 2023
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…
ODI #11472357 · Filed July 5, 2022
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…
ODI #11422321 · Filed June 25, 2021
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.

Read all 313 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Cadillac CTS mileage at failure

217 of the 313 complaints on file for the 2003 Cadillac CTS give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–100,000 miles	Based on 52 complaints
Electrical System	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–130,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–110,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V394000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 554,328 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14172 · Owners notified September 15, 2014 · Vehicles built September 16, 2001 – June 6, 2003 (per NHTSA)

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 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.

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #10V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 139,131 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 09149 · Owners notified May 4, 2010

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 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.

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 09149.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GM/FMVSS 225/OWNER'S MANUAL INFORMATION

NHTSA #03V250000 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual · NHTSA notice

Reported July 15, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,707,825 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03039 · Owners notified August 20, 2003 · Vehicles built August 1, 2001 – March 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03039.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT

NHTSA #03V115000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported March 24, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 47,835 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03017 · Owners notified March 20, 2003 · Vehicles built October 1, 2002 – February 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03017.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Cadillac CTS 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

313 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Cadillac CTS.

Steering; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11516158

Fire

Incident: November 14, 2020 · Filed: April 9, 2023

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).

Engine; Electrical System

ODI #11472357

Incident: July 5, 2020 · Filed: July 5, 2022

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11422321

Incident: May 6, 2021 · Filed: June 25, 2021

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11355638

Incident: September 18, 2003 · Filed: September 17, 2020

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.

Service Brakes

ODI #11339640

Incident: July 2, 2020 · Filed: July 16, 2020

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11318864

Incident: March 8, 2019 · Filed: March 20, 2020

THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO BYPASS THE IGNITION WITH A JUMPER IN THE FUSEBOX

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11289829

Incident: November 1, 2019 · Filed: December 18, 2019

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.

Service Brakes

ODI #11278555

Incident: July 1, 2017 · Filed: November 6, 2019

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.

Electrical System; Service Brakes; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11271664

Incident: October 28, 2019 · Filed: October 28, 2019

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, (925) 232-0290) 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.

Engine

ODI #11244966

Incident: July 1, 2019 · Filed: August 19, 2019

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.

Other Cadillac CTS model years

Check your 2003 Cadillac CTS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac CTS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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