Problems · NHTSA complaints
2003 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners filed 319 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA between May 2002 and Apr 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (57).
Complaints
319
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
29
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system57
- Engine and engine cooling38
- Air bags37
- Exterior lighting37
- Engine29
- Steering28
- Power train25
- Vehicle speed control25
- Service brakes, hydraulic25
- Service brakes21
- Structure21
- Electronic stability control (esc)20
- Suspension12
- Equipment11
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
15
34
31
13
10
10
10
11
32
21
17
12
42
23
12
6
8
6
3
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
57 reports4 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Engine and engine cooling
38 reports4 fires
“2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STARTS UP AND DRIVES FOR A WHILE THEN SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE IDLER ARMS AND CRANK SENSORS WERE REPLACED. *JB”
Air bags
37 reports16 crashes
“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.”
Exterior lighting
37 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND THEN DIMMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEGAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.”
Engine
29 reports1 crash3 fires
“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”
Steering
28 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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 LEAK & START A FIRE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.