2003 Cadillac CTS: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 157,000 miles · TX · fire

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!

Filed Jul 16, 2018 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid and the low brake fluid warning indicator illuminated. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle near the tire. An independent mechanic confirmed the failure, but did not diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact was advised to refill the brake fluid container. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 130,000 miles · VA · fire

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2015 · Engine · 145,000 miles · DE

Purchased car from dealership in oct 2015. While driving, I begin to smell burning oil and noticed oil leak under vehicle on left side. Took it to a mechanic to see where leak is coming from and he stated that valve cover gasket is leaking oil out as well as oil is present in the spark plug reservoirs. Will have to get gaskets replaced before further damage is caused. This seems to be a common problem with this model vehicle and I recently saw on news where gm recalled other models and years of vehicle with same issue. Why wasn't this model cadillac included in the recall when is should have?

Filed Feb 22, 2015 · Engine · 75,000 miles · FL

Leaking valve cover gaskets resulting in oil on coils, oxygen sensor and risk for oil related fires. The smell of burning oil is prevalent because of oil on hot engine parts. A review of various internet forums shows this is a common problem on this make/model. A consensus opinion appears to be the valve cover gaskets were made from inferior materials. Since this is a fire safety issue and/or a result of the manufacturer's negligence, this car should be recalled.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 cadillac cts. After the vehicle was parked, there was an explosion and the vehicle caught fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. The source of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 10/30/14*lj updated 7/9/2015

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MO

Tsb 05-06-01-007a this has happened to my cadi on at least three occasions. First time, cadillac dealer charged to replace thermostat. Didn't work. Next time, repair shop replaced oil gasket. Didn't work. This time I found the below description on line and will ask my repair shop to fix. If this is recurring to cts owners, there really should be a recall. It is also a fire hazard. Irritating. My research found the below and it is right on target.....it rarely happens because it is rarely below 10 degrees in my neck of the woods.... The car involved was a 2003 cadillac cts. Started vehicle in approximately 7 degree weather. After starting vehicle and running for approximately 15 minutes notice severe power loss. Within next couple of minutes black smoke with extreme burning smell flooded vehicle interior compartment also smoke starts to come from under hood of vehicle. Pulled into safe location found huge oil leak on left side of engine around valve cover. Could have possibly started a fire due to highly combustible oil being blown on engine but luckily did not catch on fire. Check on-line found tsb 05-06-01-007a stating gm knows this is a problem. "when operating in extremely cold weatherconditions, some 2003-2004 vehicles with 3. 2l v6 engine may leak engine oil from the cam/valve seals, especially from the left side just below the oil fill hole in the cam/valve cover. " this is quite a bit more than a leak since approximately a quart of oil was blown on the engine in only a couple minutes. If the engine would have been hotter there could easily have been a fire. Since this is a know issue with a known cause shouldn't this be taken care of by gm or at least the safety of the drivers and passengers should be considered. It could have been much worse if the vehicle would have caught fire.

Filed Mar 13, 2009 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MI

Oil leakage from cam cover gaskets that require repair. 3.2l v-6 in my 2003 cadillac cts. Black smoke with extreme burning smell flooded vehicle interior compartment also smoke starts to come from under hood of vehicle. Pulled into safe location found huge oil leak on left side of engine around valve cover. Could have possibly started a fire due to highly combustible oil being blown on engine but luckily did not catch on fire. Check on-line found tsb 05-06-01-007a stating gm knows this is a problem. "when operating in extremely cold weather conditions. And gm doesn't have the parts available till june for my car and at a cost of 860.00 dollar. Pcv hose kit, p/n 55558592 and oil filter cap, p/n 12589430. Safety of the drivers and passengers should be considered cause of the fumes being released in the passenger compartment. Several people I know have the same problem and there waiting also. A known problem and gm should step up and issue a recall on this.

Filed Jan 25, 2008 · Engine · 90,500 miles · OH · fire

Picked up vehicle from short term parking in approximately 7 degree weather. After starting vehicle and running for approximately 15 minutes notice severe power loss. Within next couple of minutes black smoke with extreme burning smell flooded vehicle interior compartment also smoke starts to come from under hood of vehicle. Pulled into safe location found huge oil leak on left side of engine around valve cover. Could have possibly started a fire due to highly combustible oil being blown on engine but luckily did not catch on fire. Check on-line found tsb 05-06-01-007a stating gm knows this is a problem. "when operating in extremely cold weatherconditions, some 2003-2004 vehicles with 3.2l v6 engine may leak engine oil from the cam/valve seals, especially from the left side just below the oil fill hole in the cam/valve cover." this is quite a bit more than a leak since approximately a quart of oil was blown on the engine in only a couple minutes. If the engine would have been hotter there could easily have been a fire. Since this is a know issue with a known cause shouldn't this be taken care of by gm or at least the safety of the drivers and passengers should be considered. They have a correction listed in their tsb that looks to fairly inexpensive but since this is not on a recall list the cost for repair will be much larger due to the blown out gaskets. It could have been much worse if the vehicle would have caught fire. To fix before this happens to you use gm pcv hose kit, p/n 55558592 and oil filter cap, p/n 12589430.

Filed Mar 5, 2007 · Engine · 71,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*- the contact has a 2003 cadillac cts with a current and failure odometer reading of 71000 miles. The contact stated that she was driving under cold dry conditions at about 55 MPH, while exiting the freeway she notices dark smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to reach a parking lot, and when she lifted the hood she saw flames. The fire department came out and extinguished the fire, but were unable to determine the cause of the fire. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and they also have been unable to determine the cause.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Engine · MI · fire

2003 cadillac cts, no sevice lights on, when stopped at light, smoke coming from under the hood, then smoke inside of the car. Turned off engine and assistance opened the hood, flame under hood and smoke from fire near battery. Was told that pvc valve burst under pressure from cold outside temperatures, caused oil to spray over engine and under hood and because engine was hot from use, caused it to ignite. Also told that this was the 3-4th car reported last week to one dealership with same problem. Not sure what repairs were done, car is repaired today.

Filed Jun 29, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 26,000 miles · MI

While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to restart the vehicle. *ak there was a loud noise inside of the vehicle, rough jerks at shifts, vibration at mid to high speeds, loud noise from back tires when riding over bumps, burning smell from under the hood along with smoking, water in the tail light, black exhaust dust/dirt in the tail pipe, the engine would shake. The jerking was as if the brakes were applied while in drive. *sc