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.
2003 Cadillac CTS electrical problems
56 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,200. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 56
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 92,200
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition2
- Wiring1
- Instrument cluster/panel1
- Ignition: switch1
- Ignition: module1
- Ignition: anti-theft: control module1
- ADAS: hill start assist: clutch solenoid1
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Cadillac CTS electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
What 2003 Cadillac CTS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 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 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.
At about approximately 4:22 am this morning my car was engulfed in flames in my driveway. I was awakened by my cadillac cts 2003 car alarm as the flames we're visible thru my bedroom window. At which time I ran outside to turn on the water hose to turn off the fire as my family was sleeping in the house. My husband's car was right next to my cadi that had a full tank of fuel. I called 911 and the fire department arrived to turn off the fire on the cadillac cts 2003. And for more than ten minutes the fire was still blazing as the firemen unable to control the flames. My car is gone as it burned down. Please help me to understand why this happened. I only carried liability as this was all I could afford. I thank the lord that even when we were in harm's way, he jehovah god protected us. All the glory to jesus christ that their was no lost of life. Material things can be replaced. I am grateful to god for his mercy and grace. He has total control and I know that he was with us. I was not aware that these cars have a history of catching on fire. I am glad that we were not on the road when this happened. My mother suffered a stroke and this could of been more detrimental but god did not permit the hand of the enemy to touch us physically, halelujah to the lamb of god! I am blessed to be a child of god! I know that he will give us justice because he does not forsake his children and he is a god that does not lie. He is god emanuel! He is my shalom!
My 2003 cadillac cts caught on fire. Fireman said that it was the windshield wiper module that caught on fire. The car was parked for hours and fire started while we was sleeping. The whole engine is burnt up and the car is totaled. Now I have no car and no money to get another car.
Car shuts down while driving on freeway/and city leaving me to have to put it in neutral to start back up. While car is rolling .
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.
I saw a blue spake when I had gotten out of my car and left the door open. The spark was located on the inside of the drivers side door. I got back in my car. It showed that the drivers door was ajar. I reshot the door it still showed the door was ajar. I pressed the clear bottom the car seemed smoky I tried to roll down the window but my windows was not working nor was the radio. I drove a mile to my home and parked away from the house. I rushed to get everything out of the car. The trunk would not open so I let the back seat down so I could reach my things. The car continued to smoke and ended in a full blaze. We called 911 and the fire truck came and put out the fire.
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical
Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 56 complaints about the electrical of the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,200 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V394000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Cadillac CTS have the most electrical problems?
The Cadillac CTS model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (56 complaints), 2006 (43 complaints) and 2007 (41 complaints).
Other 2003 Cadillac CTS problems
Engine 67Brakes 47Lights 37Airbags 36Steering 28Driver assistance 25Transmission 25Acceleration 24Body 22Fuel system 11Suspension 11Visibility 9Tires 8Wheels 4Seats 3Seat belts 1
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