2003 Cadillac CTS Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART WAS NOT BEING MANUFACTURED BY THEM ANY LONGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

STARTING AROUND SEPTEMBER, MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES, I FOUND SOME CADILLAC FORUMS STATING IT WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTION, WHICH IS COMMON IN 2003 MODELS. MY CAR WOULD ALSO SHOW THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OFF WITH NO WARNING, AND NOT GET OUT OF GEAR WHILE BEING ON, WITH NO WARNING AS WELL. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD SHOW LOW OIL PRESSURE AND OTHER WARNINGS ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG. AND LASTLY, AT AROUND 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING 70 ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR MAKE A HUGE BANG, AND SMOKE ERUPTED, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT, AND THE CAR WON'T START. I'M BEING TOLD TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET, WHICH ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE FORUMS, TENDS TO BE FAULTY IN THE '03 MODELS. THESE SHOULD OBVIOUSLY BE RECALLED IF SO MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED. I'M PAYING OVER 5000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND COSTS FOR THIS. I REFUSE TO EVER LET ANYONE I KNOW, AS WELL AS MYSELF, PURCHASE ANOTHER CADILLAC, UNLESS THIS GETS RESOLVED. *TR

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE REVERSE BEZEL FELL OFF, BROKE AND THE PART IS TOO EXPENSIVE! *TR

WHILE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG IN HEADLINER DEPLOYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN HER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE LENS COVER OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WE OWN A 2003 CADILLAC CTS THAT WE BOUGHT NEW BACK IN LATE 2002. IT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 85,000 LIGHTLY DRIVEN MILES. ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, THE ENGINE BECOME STUCK AT HIGH REVOLUTIONS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO REGAIN CONTROL. WE REFERRED TO THIS AS A "THROTTLE CONTROL" PROBLEM--ALTHOUGH THAT MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT TERMINOLOGY. IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE CADILLAC DEALER AT THAT TIME (AT CONSIDERABLE COST). SINCE THEN, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES. IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOW RETURNED FOR A THIRD TIME.THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT. MOST RECENTLY, THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (COMPUTER)--BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THAT WILL INDEED REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE ON A SHORT TRIP ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN EXTREMELY UNEVENLY--BARELY FUNCTIONING. WE LIMPED INTO A CADILLAC DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS TWO FAULTY COILS. THEY REPLACED THOSE (AGAIN AS CONSIDERABLE COST) AND THE CAR RAN WELL AGAIN--UNTIL THIS LATEST EPISODE OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHERE THE ENGINE BECOMES STUCK AT EXTREMELY HIGH REVOLUTIONS. *TR

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE STREET AND I HEARD A SCRUBBING NOISE CUMMING FROM LIKE BEHIND MY WHEEL WHEN I WOULD TURN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN LATELY I THOUGHT I NEEDED BRAKE FLUID BUT SOMETHING MADE ME JUST LOOSE CONTROL AND JUMP THE MEDIA STRIP I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE LUCKILY I DIDN'T NOW MY LEFT FRONT TIRE IS BENT IN A LITTLE AND I CANT DRIVE THE CAR OR MAKE ANY LEFT TURNS WITHOUT THE GRUNTING SOUND THAT IT MAKES WHICH MIGHT COST ME MY JOB BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TRANSPORTATION I HAVE! *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAG PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT, WATER WAS ENTERING AND DAMAGING THE WIRING OF THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ADHESIVE THAT WAS USED TO HOLD THE PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LATCH FELL ON HER HEAD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRUNK WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

MY CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED KEPT FOR 13 YEARS, ONLY CAME OUT IN THE SUMMER AND WEEKENDS. THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN USING IT AS A DAILY DRIVER.. IN 2012 MY MECHANIC NOTICED A LOT OF CORROSION ON MY CHASIS RAILS, I NOTIFIED CADILLAC, THEY SENT ME TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT MY COMPLAINT AND OFFERED ME 3,000 OFF A NEW VEHICLE. 2 WEEKS AGO I WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC NOTICED HOW WORSE THE GOT. I CALLED CADILLAC AND THEY TOLD ME THE CORROSION WARRANTY WAS OVER. MY CADILLAC ONLY HAS 113,000 MILES, NOW THAT I NOTICED HOW BAD THEY GOT I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY IN THE CAR.

WHILE BRAKING FOR SOME SLOW TRAFFIC, I FELT A POP FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONLY HAVING ABOUT 25% USE OF THE BRAKES I HAD TO PULL OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE CONNECTION. WHEN HE CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE THE FITTING SNAPPED IN HIS HAND. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY CADILLAC DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT THIS RECALL. AFTER TALKING TO CADILLAC THEY DID CONFIRM THAT THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I NOW HAVE TO TAKE THE PARTS TO A GM DEALER ALONG WITH MY REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE 4 WEEKS TO BE REIMBURSED. *TR

DRIVING DOWN ROAD IT JUST CUT OFF OTHER TIMES IT JUST WOULD NOT START I HAVE HAD IT 3YRS AND ONLY GOT TO DRIVE IT 2 MTHS I REALLY WANTED THIS CAR BUT NEVER KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!ALSO SOME KIND OF SEAL WE HAD FIXED BLEW MAYBE A WEEK AFTER IT WAS FIXED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I HEARD A SLIGHT CRASH NOISE, LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE THE BEZEL PIECE FLEW OFF MY CAR AND ATTACHED WERE THE BACK UP LIGHTS. THE PIECE SHATTERED AND WAS IRREPLACEABLE. UPON RESEARCH IN CADILLAC BLOGS I READ THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 03-05 CTS CARS DUE TO GM USING A CHEAP GLUE TO HOLD THE PIECE ON. CADILLAC ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE PART IF THE CAR WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THEIR FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT I AM NOT. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER ATHE SAME REPLACEMENT PIECE, NOW A NEW PART ONLY AVAILABLE IN AN ASSEMBLY KIT RANGING BETWEEN 4-500 DOLLARS. I FIND IT UNETHICAL TO SELL A LUXURY CAR, AND BUILD IT WITH CHEAP PLASTIC PIECES THAT SIMPLY FALL OFF DUE TO CHEAP ADHESIVE, AND CAUSE DANGER TO DRIVERS BEHIND ME. THE FACT THAT THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED ONLY PROVES THAT CADILLAC ACKNOWLEDGES THE PIECE WAS CHEAPLY CONSTRUCTED, AND SHOULD OFFER REPLACEMENTS TO ALL EARLY CTS MODELS. WHEN ASSEMBLING AUTOMOBILE ONLY QUALITY PARTS SHOULD BE USED, NOT CHEAP PLASTIC WITH FAULTY GLUE, I FEEL THIS WARRANTS A RECALL, BUT ONE WASN'T ISSUED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, WHEN I LOOKED BACK THE PLASTIC PIECE WHICH COVERS THE TWO SMALL LIGHTS AROUND MY LICENSE PLATE, HAD FLOWN OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE, HOWEVER THE PART OBVIOUSLY BROKE, AND A NEW PART COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 750.00 TO 1000.00 DOLLARS (FOR A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS NO MORE THEN 28 INCHES LONG) EVERY VENDER OF THIS PART I HAVE CALLED HAS TOLD ME IT IS SO EXPENSIVE BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEM FALL OFF OF THEIR CARS. THERE IS NO CLIPS OR SCREWS TO HOLD THE PART ON, WHICH MEANS EVEN IF I BUY ANOTHER ONE THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR

AN OIL LEAK AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES, COMPLETELY DRAINED OIL. BROUGHT CAR TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO CHARGER ME $4500 TO REPAIR. LOOKED ON MYCARSTATS.COM WEB SITE AND SAW ANOTHER OF THE SAME PROBLEM...CASE #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED. ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IN TIME. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO WORK. I TOOK MY CAR TO CADILLAC IN ARIZONA AND THEY HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE. I DROVE HOME THAT DAY WITH IT AND SURE ENOUGH IT DID IT WHILE I WAS HOME. IT HAD NOW BEGAN TO JERK ME TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES, SCARING ME THINKING I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. I TOOK IT TO MIDAS THIS TIME AND THEY NOTICED A PROBLEM AND SAID MAYBE ITS A WHEEL BARRING. THEY REPLACED ISSUE DUPLICATED ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE A SECOND CAR OR PAY FOR A RENTAL I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR HOME TO GO BACK TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I HAVE EVEN BEEN PULLED OVER BECAUSE THE COP ASKED WHY I WAS SWERVING WHILE DRIVING. I TOLD THE OFFICE ITS THE CODE THAT COMES UP ON MY SCREEN AND IT MAKES MY CAR HALT WHILE DRIVING AND I CAN NOT CONTROL IT. HE STATED THAT ITS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND IF ANOTHER OFFICER WAS ON DUTY THEY MIGHT IMPOUND MY CAR DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD BUT HE WOULD GIVE ME A CHANCE TO TAKE IT HOME TO GO TO THE SHOP. I AM ALMOST CLOSE TO TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND BUYING A NEW ONE, BUT NOT A CTS. IF CADILLAC CAN'T SOLVE THIS, THE CREATOR, WHO CAN? I AM SCARED I'M GOING TO VEER OFF THE FREEWAY OR HIT A CAR ON THE WAY TO WORK. I DRIVE AN HOUR TO AND FROM WORK EVERYDAY AND MY SAFETY IS THE UTMOST CONCERN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

2003 CADILAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TWO DAYS LATER. ALSO, THE STRUTS, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND GAS TANK, WHICH WAS LEAKING HAD TO REPLACED. *JB

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH APPROX. 97,000 MILES SHOWING ON THE ODOMETER. DURING A THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRIP OF SOME 1600 MILES, CONSISTING MOSTLY OF HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE ASC (AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL) WOULD DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, "TUG" THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT SLIGHTLY, SEEMED TO HAVE A SLIGHT BRAKING EFFECT (ALTHOUGH IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE SUDDEN DECELERATION THAT CAUSED THE SENSE OF BRAKING) AND WOULD DISPLAY " STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED". THIS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, ON THIS SAME TRIP, THE "TRACTION CONTROL" WOULD ENGAGE, WITHOUT WARNING OR NEED, AND DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED, DECELERATION. THIS TOO HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALTHOUGH I DID NOTICE THAT THE "TRACTION CONTROL" SEEMED TO ENGAGE WHEN IN A CURVE ON ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. I CONCLUDED THAT THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A SUDDEN "WHEEL HOP" OR "SPIN" AS A RESULT OF LOSING TRACTION FROM THE "BOUNCE" WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ROUGH SPOT. I'VE RUN THE "ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM" SEVERAL TIMES AND NO CODES PERTAINING TO THESE EVENTS ARE DISPLAYED. *TR

JUST GOT OFF THE XWAY, STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHILE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, WHICH WAS STUCK RED FOR ABOUT 5 MIN, BOTH (HID) HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THEY FLASHED ON & OFF 3 TIMES, THAN STAYED OUT. I SWITCHED ON THE FOG LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE THE LAST 3 MILES HOME. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED BOTH TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. I WROTE A LETTER TO CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT FORWARD THE INFO TO A TECHNICAL DEPT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I ESTIMATE THERE ARE 10,000 MILES ON THESE LIGHTS. I WROTE A SECOND TO CADILLAC, AGAIN THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WERE CLOSING THE FILE ON THIS CASE. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT 70 MPH ON A CURVE. THESE (HID) LIGHTS ARE A PRICEY OPTION AND ARE SOLD THAT UNDER NORMAL USE THEY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

HAD THE WIPERS ON, RAIN STOPPED WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT CAR TO BE DIAGNOSED. FOUND WIPER POWER COVER DEFECTIVE. AUTO SERVICE FOUND THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. I HAD TO GO WITHOUT WIPERS FOR A WEEK BEFORE PART WAS IN. AUTO SERVICE SAID THAT PART WAS NOT IN STOCK ANYWHERE IN TAMPA. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR CTS OWNERS SEEING THE PART IS SCARCE? HAS THERE BEEN OR GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TR

ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST DUE TO A SEAL FAILURE ON THE PISTON THE POSITIONS THE PASSENGER RIGHT WHEEL. I DISCOVERED WHILE SPEAKING TO THE CADILLAC PARTS DEPARTMENT, THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE OF MY VEHICLE, REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. IT APPEARS THEN THAT CARS WITH A CERTAIN SERIAL NUMBER MAY HAVE HAD SOME ENGINEERING CHANGE WHICH MADE THE PUMP AND RACK AND PINION INCOMPATIBLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MANDATORY RECALL AND REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAG PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT WATER SIP IN AND DAMAGE THE WIRING OF THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ADHESIVE THAT WAS USED TO HOLD THE PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AS A RESULT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR LIGHT COVER ON THE BACK UP LIGHT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE BACK UP LIGHTS AND HE BELIEVED THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A LENS COVER TO PROTECT THE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,096. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

THE PLASTIC PANEL COVER FOR THE REVERSE LIGHTS FELL OFF, AND NOW THE REVERSE LIGHTS ARE EXPOSED. *TR

UNDER 33,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL I HEARD A LOUD CLANK NOISE. CAR LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKE POWER COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. HAD TOWED TO SHOP AND THEY SAID TIMING CHAIN IS BROKEN AND PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE IS LOCKED UP WITH BENT VALVES. NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. NOW THIS CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. *TR

THE 2003 CADILLAC CTS HAS VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHERE THE POWER/INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY CUTS OUT REPEATEDLY. THE SAFETY CONCERN THAT ALARMED ME ENOUGH TO FIND THIS FORM HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHERE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE CAR'S POWER SHUTS OFF AND THE MESSAGE DISPLAY IS TO RE-START THE CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTED THE CAR (TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND ONCE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT LOWER 30 -40 MPH VELOCITY. WITH NO REASON OR WARNING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DIVIDER AND THE FRONTAL LAND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONLY PARTIALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #14172.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED IN MAY 2011, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME, SHE/HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND HE/SHE WAS UNABLE TO RE-START IT. THREE YEARS LATER, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, THE NEXT DAY. AN INSPECTED REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER, AND REPLACED THE ECM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY AND EVEN SPEED MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT AS IF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD THE BREAK APPLY. ALMOST INSTANTLY MY "STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED" DISPLAY WOULD GO ON AND THE CAR WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THIS WENT ON TO BECOME A REGULAR EVENT WITH EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR OUT. THE MOST IT OCCURRED WAS 30 OR SO TIMES IN A 90 MILE TRIP, BUT IT HAPPENED REGULARLY ON LOCAL 2 MILE TRIPS TO THE STORE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE MORE SEVERE THAN OTHERS . IN ADDITION AND OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE BREAKS WERE APPLIED, THERE WOULD BE A "LOUDISH" CRUNCH SOUND AND RESISTANCE TO FOOT PRESSURE THAT WOULD GIVE WAY AFTER THE INITIAL BREAK APPLICATION. THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION "BUZZ" THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THIS ALL WOULD OCCUR. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM INFORMATION I HAD FOUND ON THE WEB ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHECKED THEIR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR A PROBLEM. IT WAS FIXED BY CHANGING A STEERING SENSOR AT A COST OF $430.

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO AUTHORIZED CADILLAC SERVICE CENTER (GREEN BUICK GMC, DAVENPORT, IA). GREEN REPLACED PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, PART 9128412, CONNECTOR PART 15306420, SEAL PART 90412566) WITH NEW ONES AND THEN CLEANED, AT A COST OF $1,425.82. TO BE FAIR, IN RETROSPECT, GREEN SHOULD HAVE CLEANED OLD PART TO SAVE CUSTOMER UNNECESSARY COSTS. NOW, THREE YEARS LATER, THIS EXPENSIVE FIX IS NEEDED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO LUJACK NORTHPARK AUTO, DAVENPORT, IOWA, (INVOICE NO. CVCS863235) DATE 05/05/14, MILAGE: 113716, THESE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALREADY. (48000 MILES LATER) THAT MEANS THAT THE $1,425.82 WE PAID TO GREEN WAS LOST TO EITHER INFERIOR QUALITY PARTS (PLANNED OBSOLESENCE) OR SABOTAGE BY THE AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS. THIS CAR WAS IN LUJACKS THREE TIMES THIS YEAR. TWICE THEIR TECHNICIAN REMOVED & REPLACED V/C & VIT GASKETS. (PARTS VS50628R & MS96103. SEE CVCS854609 & 855596) WHICH MEANS REMOVING THESE PARTS. GM REFUSED TO MAKE ANY GOOD FAITH EFFORT AT RESOLVING ISSUE (SEE GM FILE # 71-1305208758) UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT PANEL HAS A PLASTIC COVER OVER IT. MINE FELL OFF AND I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME REPLACING IT. I CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THEY DON'T SELL THAT PIECE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE REDESIGNED A REPLACEMENT THAT WILL NOT FALL OFF BUT IT COSTS OVER $500 AND CADILLAC WON'T COVER IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. AS I DRIVE UP AND DOWN THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IN CHICAGO, I NOTICE MANY 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS ARE ALSO MISSING THIS PART. HOW CAN THIS PLASTIC PART FALL OFF WITH OUT CAUSE AND YET NOT BE RECALLED? *KB

I HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY SEIZED WHILE DRIVING APPX 55MPH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND SKID OFF OF THE ROAD.... THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A RECURRING "BODY CONTROL MODULE" FAILURE WHICH RENDERS THE AIRBAGS USELESS....CANNOT BE CLEARED BY MYSELF OR DEALERS.. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND LOOSING POWER. THE ENGINE WAS MISSING ON ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING COIL, SPARKPLUG, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND OIL COOLER. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECT MENTIONED IN CAD CTS TSB ID # 1609265 DATED 2005. THIS TSB STATES THAT THE CRANKCASE VAPORS AND ENGINE OIL WILL VENT THROUGH THE CAM/VALVE COVER SEALS WHEN THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM BECOMES BLOCKED. THE OIL ON THIS VEHICLE EVIDENTLY VENTED AND LEAKED SEVERAL PLACES INCLUDING INTO THE IGNITION COILS CAUSING A SHORT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR IF THE OIL HAD LEAKED ON VERY HOT SURFACES POSSIBLY A FIRE. THE TSB SPECIFIED KITS THAT WERE TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING. EVIDENTLY, THESE WERE NEVER INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEEMED TO SKIP WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V10500 RE; CADILLAC CTS MODELS BRAKE LINE CORROSION PROBLEMS DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN SCOPE, IN MY OPINION. OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2003 CTS HAD NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL. IN FACT, BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND CADILLAC CORPORATE CUST SERVICE SAID THEY SHOWED THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VECHICLE. BEING SKEPTICAL OF THAT ASSERTION BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD SPENT IT'S FIRST TWO YEARS IN CONNECTICUT ON LEASE, I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THEY FOUND (AND I WITNESSED) THE BADLY CORRODED BRAKE HOSE FITTINGS. AS THE MECHANIC PUSHED ON THE L.H. RUBBER SLEEVE COVERING THE HOSE TO METAL TUBE JUNCTION TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE HOSE SEPARATED FROM THE TUBE !! THIS WITH ONLY THE PRESSURE APPLIED WITH ONE FINGER !! WE WERE ONE HARD BRAKING APPLICATION FROM A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT !! BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN, AND THOSE ARE THE METAL TUBING LINES IN THE FRONT OF THE CHASSIS THAT ARE PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING ( AND ANTI-SKID) SYSTEMS. MANY OF THESE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, MAKING THEM AS MUCH A CONTRIBUTOR TO BRAKE FAILURE AS THE HOSES.! I BELIEVE THESE LINES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL OR EXPANSION OF THE HOSE RECALL. *TR

THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY UP. IT CONTINUOUSLY SLAM DOWN. IT HAS FALLEN ON BOTH MY HUSBAND AN MY HEAD AND SHOULDERS. IT HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT CORRECT IT, SAYS CAR TOO OLD. ALL OWNERS BE CAREFUL!!

REAR LIGHTS AND PLATE COVER JUST FELL OFF AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *LN

2003 CTS - SERVICE TRACKING SYSTEM BEGAN TO DISPLAY AND ENGAGE FREQUENTLY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND BEGAN VIBRATING BADLY AND PULLING TOWARD LEFT (UNABLE TO BRAKE). RETURNED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY REPLACED "STEERING SENSOR" $650.00. TWO MONTHS LATER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER IMMEDIATELY AFTER START UP, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOME PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. DISPLAYED LOW BATTERY, THEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FOR SERVICE (ABS, TRACKING, AIRBAG ECT...). RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING ALTERNATOR. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS IS THE REAL PROBLEM BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE SAME LEAKAGE ISSUES FROM BOTH COOLANT AND OIL SOURCES THAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE. DEALER CONTINUES TO TELL ME TO REPLACE BOTH GASKETS AND THERMOSTAT. THESE AGAIN ARE COMMON ISSUES THAT ARE POSTED CONSISTENTLY ON-LINE BY CONSUMERS. THESE ARE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS FAILURES BASED ON PEOPLE'S PERSONAL SAFETY. GM MUST STEP UP AND HONOR THESE SAFETY ISSUES BY RECALLING THESE ITEMS. INABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO TRACKING SYSTEM ENGAGING AND NOT ABLE TO BRAKE, VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR, AND LASTLY FIRE HAZARD DUE TO LEAKING PLASTIC VALVE COVER GASKETS. *TR

LOST CONTROL OF 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON THE MASS PIKE - HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, CAREENED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

2003 CADILLAC CTS ALL I CAN SAY IS IM DISGUSTED WITH THIS CAR NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT LEAKAGE THAT IS REPORTED ON HERE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED BUT NOW I HAVE A CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH I CAN'T USE BECAUSE IT HAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. WHICH MOST THAN LIKELY NEEDS REPLACED WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE CAN I SAY FIRST CADILLAC AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE EVER.. *TR

DRIVING OUR 2003 CTS IT WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. IT WAS PUT ON A MACHINE AND NOTHING SHOWED WRONG SINCE 2003. EVENTUALLY IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD STARTUP FOR 45 MIN (2010) THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND 2 WEEKS LATER IT SHUT OFF AGAIN.. *TR

OIL IN COOLANT RESERVOIR DUE TO OIL COOLER LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN THE CYLINDER HEADS LEAKING. CADILLAC 2003 CTS WITH 6 CYLINDER OPEL MOTOR WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE COVER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR LIGHT MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW, IMPROVED MODULE. THE BACK UP LAMPS AND THE REAR FINISH PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED WITH A SAFER PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,556 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OVERLAY PANEL FOR THE REAR REVERSE LIGHT FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE. HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

I HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 52,000. MILES ..I BOUGHT IT NEW /DEMO WITH 4,000. MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP 4X. THE STABILITY ENGAGED SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATES. THEY CAN NOT FIX AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL AREAS OF FRONT END. SSE LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND IS NOW MORE FREQUENT. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED 6X IN 20 MIN. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THEN UPON BRAKE PRESSURE, VIBRATING PEDAL, ABS ENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS TO TRY TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM IS INCREASING AND THE CAR PULLING AND VIBRATING IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS THAT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO DEMAND THIS PROBLEM BE REPAIRED?YOU HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY NUMEROUS AND GM IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM OR WORSE YET THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT...PLEASE HELP! *TR

AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT TIME AT SLOW SPEED, CAR WILL SHUT OFF GOING UP A HILL. CAR STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AND RUN FOR A WHILE BUT SHUTS OFF AGAIN WHILE SITTING STILL. AT SOMETIME, AFTER THIS INITIAL EVENT ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT INTERMITTENTLY. CAR DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP. CKP AND CMP SENSORS FOUND DEFECTIVE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE HOSE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HE HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH THE BRAKE, TRACTION AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE RECEIVED GM RECALL NOTICE NO. 09149 FOR THE BRAKES WHICH IS RELATED TO NHTSA#10V105000; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PARTS WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS WHENEVER THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARTS WERE NEVER ORDERED. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THE FAILURE HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

WE HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC'S CTS WITH ABOUT 77K MILES. ON 7-5-2010 AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING PLAZA AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, THRU BUSHES, AND ONTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR FACING US. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WE NOTICE WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE ENGINE REVVING UP. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS REPLACED. DURING A TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ANTI-THEFT AND ON -STAR FEATURES THAT INTERFERED WITH THE STARTER AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THERE WAS NO FAVORABLE RESPONSE FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS WHICH WAS REPAIRED. HE IS NOW EXPERIENCING CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES HOSES AND FUEL HOSES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13300. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE CALIPERS. UPDATED 10/07/10