Tl* the contact owned a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving out of the parking lot, the vehicle stalled and abruptly shut down. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
2003 Cadillac CTS: airbags did not deploy in a crash
10 of the 313 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact turned sharply to avoid an animal. The engine stalled, but the vehicle continued to coast and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact was launched through the windshield. The contact sustained lower back, neck, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v394000 (electrical system); however, the failure was already experienced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warning causing the contact to loose control and crashed into a house. The air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was deemed destroyed and was towed. The contact sustained strain pelvis bone and injuries to the wrist, and nose which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle pushing it off the road. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries that required medical attention and the other driver sustained hip injuries that also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v394000 (electrical system). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 11/19/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While parked, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a dumpster. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The consumer was involved in collision at 65 miles per hour due to bad weather and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The owner will contact manufacturer.
While driving vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. The head rest failed. Consumer, and passenger sustained neck injuries. *ak...consumer and wifve suffered whiplash. It required several months of doctor visits and physical therapy.
While driving on the freeway consumer heard a noise under the vehicle. Consumer tried to control the vehicle and it began to swerve. While trying to keep it under control, vehicle flipped over, and the air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle was totaled. *ak the consumer believes the steering shaft bolt became loose and caused the accident.
My cadillac cts (2003) was hit directly in the drivers door at approximately 50-55 MPH and the side impact or curtain air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was pushed so hard, the witness thought it was going to flip over. Cadillac indicated that there was no problem, and the air bags didn't deploy because the sensor did not receive a direct hit. The sensor is located on the door frame between the driver and rear left passenger door. I find it hard to believe that the door was totally smashed in to the drivers seat, the vehicle frame damaged, the window blew out and air bags didn't go off, because the sensor was not hit.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac CTS no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
10 of 313 owner complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS (3%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Cadillac CTS
Stalling 31Headlights 17Fire or smoke 12Loss of power 11Airbag light 10ABS 8Won't start 8Engine failure 7Jerking 7Brake failure 6Check engine light 6Whining noise 6Adaptive cruise 5Oil consumption 5
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