2003 Cadillac CTS Lighting Problems

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT COVERING WAS FRACTURED AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE LICENSE PLATE COVERING, BUT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING WAS FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEFECT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/05/13 *LJ

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWFUL TO HAVE THAT MANY VEHICLES IN THE SAME CONDITION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE CADILLACS. *TR

THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT FELL OFF MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER ONE PUT ON, ONLY TO LEARN THAT GM DOES NOT EVEN MAKE THAT PART ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING DEFECTIVE. TO FIX MY VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A NEWER MADE PART THAT COST APPROXIMATELY $697.00. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER THAT PRODUCED THIS PART FOR GM DID NOT USE THE CORRECT EPOXY TO ADHERE THE BACK UP LIGHT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO CALL GM CORPORATE OFFICE TO TAKE THE "PROBLEM" UP WITH THEM. AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM, HE TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL ME WITH A FINAL DECISION AND NEVER CALLED. I HAVE PLACED CALLS TO THEM EVERYDAY SINCE AND I KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND. SUPPOSEDLY NO ONE BUT THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST HANDLING MY CASE CAN HELP ME AND HE WILL NOT ANSWER OR RETURN MY CALLS. MY QUESTION IS THIS, UNDER THE LAW SOMEONE CANNOT SELL ANYTHING KNOWING THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. WITH VEHICLES ALL EXTERIOR COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE SUPPOSE TO WITHSTAND "MOTHERNATURE" AND NATURAL OCCURRENCES OF THE WEATHER, SO WHY WHEN KNOWING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE DO THEY EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE IT? GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE IT CAN NOT CAUSE BODILY HARM THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT OR RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. IS THIS WHAT OUR ECONOMY HAS COME TO, LARGE CORPORATIONS SWINDLING THE "LITTLE" CONSUMERS THAT KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS? WITH GM FILING BANKRUPTCY AND THE TAXPAYERS AND GOVERNMENT "BAILING" THEM OUT, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO TREAT THEIR "LITTLE" CONSUMERS BETTER. HOW IS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO KNOW A PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE, TO THE POINT THEY WON'T EVEN MAKE THAT SAME PRODUCT TO REPLACE IT WHEN IT TEARS UP BUT ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT? *TR

WE HAVE WORK ON THIS TYPE OF CARS BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. I BELIEVE THEY WERE MADE TO WEAK. *TR

HEADLIGHT COVER ON CADILLAC CTS 2003 DEVELOPS CRACKING AND SPIDER WEBS, SUCH THAT VISIBILITY IS DIMINISHED. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON ALL OLDER CTS VEHICLES IN THE PHOENIX AREA. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE SUN. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR ON OTHER OLDER VEHICLE HEADLAMPS. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DESPITE EXTENDED WARRANTY. REPAIR CAN ONLY BE DONE VIA REPLACEMENT ON THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH COSTS IN EXCESS OF $1,300 PLUS LABOR BY A GM DEALER. *TR

LOW BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAS A BLACK BAR IN MY LINE OF VISION. CREATES A "BLIND" SPOT AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING ON THE COUNTRY ROADS NEAR MY HOME DANGEROUS. IT ALSO CREATES AN AREA OF DARKNESS THAT DOESN'T LIGHT UP STOP SIGNS OR INTERSECTIONS ALONG THESE ROADS . I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE CORRECTED!! I DRIVE ALONG THESE ROADWAYS WHILE IT IS DARK TWICE A DAY 4 TIMES A WEEK ON MY WAY TO AND FROM WORK. I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF MY ENTIRE LINE OF VISION WAS LIT UP. THANKFULLY I HAVE THE USE OF THE HIGH BEAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS DARK BAR. *TR

HEADLIGHTS PROJECT A BLACK BAR AT NIGHT ACROSS ROADWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND OBSTRUCTS STREET SIGNS. TALKED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *NM

DT: 2003 CADILLAC CTS. SAFETY DEFECT INCLUDED THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. A SHADOW IS PRESENT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON LOW BEAM. CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 50% OF THE COST. WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES OR ON A HILL ONE CAN SEE A SHADOW. INCIDENT DATE WAS JULY 26, 2005. NO CRASHES, NO POLICE REPORTS, NO INJURIES.*AK UPDATED 11/2/2005. *NM