Representative model. Photo: Rblimas at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Cadillac CTS recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 319
Latest campaign: Jul 2, 2014

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	Jul 2, 2014	14V394000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Mar 17, 2010	10V105000
Equipment	1	Jul 15, 2003	03V250000
Steering	1	Mar 24, 2003	03V115000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 2, 2014Latest campaign


Jul 2, 201414V394000	Electrical system: ignition 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V394000 What's wrong 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. 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Mar 17, 201010V105000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 10V105000 What's wrong 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. 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 10V105000 · Mar 17, 2010
Jul 15, 200303V250000	Equipment: other owners/service/other manual THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V250000 What's wrong 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. Risk THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. 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. Campaign NHTSA 03V250000 · Jul 15, 2003
Mar 24, 200303V115000	Steering AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT COULD LOOSEN, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING SHAFTS CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V115000 What's wrong SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE. 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 03V115000 · Mar 24, 2003

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Cadillac CTS? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component319

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

319Complaints filed

29Involving a crash

12Involving a fire

22Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	57	18	4	4	4
Service brakes	47	15	4	2	2
Engine and engine cooling	38	12	0	4	1
Air bags	37	12	16	0	17
Exterior lighting	37	12	1	0	0
Engine	29	9	1	3	1
Steering	28	9	3	1	2
Power train	25	8	2	0	0
Vehicle speed control	25	8	5	0	1
Hydraulic	25	8	3	0	1
Structure	21	7	2	2	2
Electronic stability control (ESC)	20	6	1	0	0
Unknown or other	12	4	1	2	0
Suspension	12	4	0	0	0
Equipment	11	3	1	0	1

14 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“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.”
Filed 04/09/2023 · ODI 11516158
Engine
“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.”
Filed 07/05/2022 · ODI 11472357
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 06/25/2021 · ODI 11422321

Other Cadillac CTS model years

All years: 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003

Other Cadillac models

All Cadillac models and years →

2003 Cadillac CTS recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Cadillac CTS. The most recent, 14V394000 (reported July 2, 2014), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Cadillac CTS?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 57 complaints out of 319 filed with NHTSA (18%). Across all complaints, owners reported 29 crashs and 12 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Cadillac CTS?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Cadillac dealer.

Check a specific Cadillac by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Cadillac build sheet & window sticker guide.