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).
The worst 2003 Cadillac CTS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine67
- Electrical56
- Brakes47
- Lights37
- Airbags36
- Steering28
- Driver assistance25
- Transmission25
- Acceleration24
- Body22
- Fuel system11
- Suspension11
- Visibility9
- Tires8
- Wheels4
- Seats3
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Cadillac CTS
Stalling 31Headlights 17Fire or smoke 12Loss of power 11Airbag light 10No deployment 10ABS 8Won't start 8Engine failure 7Jerking 7Brake failure 6Check engine light 6Whining noise 6Adaptive cruise 5Oil consumption 5
Recalls 4
Electrical system: ignition
- What is 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.
Recall number 14V394000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- General motors has notified the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 10V105000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is 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.
Recall number 03V250000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is 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.
Recall number 03V115000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Cadillac CTS 506
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
2003 Cadillac CTS fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 24 | 19 |
What 2003 Cadillac CTS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The car will not start and I have to bypass the ignition with a jumper in the fusebox
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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 the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 185,000.
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.
Compare the 2003 Cadillac CTS
CTS vs Audi A4CTS vs Mercedes-Benz C300CTS vs BMW 328ICTS vs Lincoln MKZCTS vs Lexus ES350CTS vs Acura TLX
Other model years
20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac CTS
Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Owners have filed 313 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 3.1 times a typical CTS model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Cadillac CTS year score?
The 2003 Cadillac CTS scores 32 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac CTS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
Engine and cooling, with 67 complaints, typically around 72,579 miles. Next is electrical (56).
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and equipment.
What year does the Cadillac CTS have bad engine?
The Cadillac CTS model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (67 complaints), 2009 (51 complaints) and 2005 (38 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac CTS get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Cadillac CTS range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 24 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Cadillac CTS?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history