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.
2003 Cadillac CTS engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 67, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle had to cool down completely before the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v394000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
My car just shut off in the middle of exceleration.........this happen to me 2x... Once to oncoming traffic!!! And the other just before a blue line train ...dealership takes this very lightly.I guess someone has to die first..it is in the shop right now. I have so many issues that I don't think I should be having or had when new too. .I also noticed that where my airbag on my steering wheel .is looks like it is separating...not sure but it is not flush....I'm afraid to ask about that since all it does is cost me$$$$$$$ also I had brakes fixed that weren't that bad because of noise but the noise is still there not all the time but more frequent and it sounds like its from some part of clutch part not the brakes..... New brakes didn't fix anything.. I am fixing this car more than what I am writing about. The 1st month I bought it I had to return for a bolt was coming loose on my steering column...found out it was a recall. I need to talk to someone for work that was done to my car that later I found was not my work order or my VIN #. Or my mileage... After I paid for half the work since my car wasn't brought in for any of that stuff.. Only a stability light to be checked... Which after 11months when I took it back again... Found that was never taken care of.. Thats why it would come off and on ... I was just tired of being taken... Thats how I felt.. Being that I am a women........
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.
The pcv valve system design is defective. On (4) occasions the pressure build-up causing massive oil leaks at the valve cover. I experienced smoke from the engine compartment as oil leaked onto a hot engine. A potential engine fire. It took years for the cadillac dealers to correct the problem. This is a extreme cold weather issue. The automobile was in arizona for a few years and the issue was not a problem but once returned to michigan, the problem got serious. I have all of my repair documents. This car should has been recalled. It is not safe to drive. I was lucky as I was near dealers when this occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the engine stalled. The driver side door latch became inoperable, and the brake, check engine, and traction control indicators illuminated. The contact waited for a few minutes and the vehicle restarted. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failures could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
I have had my car stop running several times during the time I have owned it... It has always been at a stop light. The car just shuts off. I have to restart it again. It does it on occasion , sometimes months apart. I am just hoping that it will never shut off like that while driving down the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that there was an internal leak in the engine and the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
My cts have been in the shop numerous time for smoke and the smell of oil burning coming from the engine compartment.after years of taking my vehicle to the dealership and having parts replace the problem still occur.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving 50 MPH, the traction control indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after six minutes, but it shook and idled roughly. The failure occurred twenty times. The dealer stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 145,197.
While driving turning left onto an expressway entrance my engine shut down I believe it was the ignition switch. I've taken the vehicle to the dealer numerous times and they can't seem to find a solution. I am in fear that one day this car will lose power at the wrong time and cause a serious if not fatal accident. I would like the problem fixed or a reimbursement to invest in a new vehicle before it is too late.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the engine low power warning light illuminated as the engine stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the engine loss power warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the throttle body assembly. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that four years after the repair the vehicle would not start at the first attempt. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,579. Updated 8/12/14*cn updated 08/20/2014
Engine stopped running. Would not restart. Had to have vehicle towed to authorized cadillac service center (green buick gmc, davenport, ia). Green replaced parts (throttle body, part 9128412, connector part 15306420, seal part 90412566) with new ones and then cleaned, at a cost of $1,425.82. To be fair, in retrospect, green should have cleaned old part to save customer unnecessary costs. Now, three years later, this expensive fix is needed again. According to lujack northpark auto, davenport, iowa, (invoice no. Cvcs863235) date 05/05/14, milage: 113716, these parts need to be replaced again already. (48000 miles later) that means that the $1,425.82 we paid to green was lost to either inferior quality parts (planned obsolesence) or sabotage by the authorized service centers. This car was in lujacks three times this year. Twice their technician removed & replaced v/c & vit gaskets. (parts vs50628r & ms96103. See cvcs854609 & 855596) which means removing these parts. Gm refused to make any good faith effort at resolving issue (see gm file # 71-1305208758) updated 11/24/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a recurring stalling failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times where several unknown repairs were performed on the vehicle but to no avail. The failure mileage was 59,730 and the current mileage was 79,000. Updated 06/30/14 ma updated 07/3/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled while traveling various speeds and intermittently failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
Starting around september, my car would randomly shut off while in motion, at various speeds. After hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees, I found some cadillac forums stating it was a crank shaft sensor malfunction, which is common in 2003 models. My car would also show the traction control was off with no warning, and not get out of gear while being on, with no warning as well. The computer system would show low oil pressure and other warnings although nothing was wrong. And lastly, at around 78,000 miles, while driving 70 on a highway, the car make a huge bang, and smoke erupted, almost causing me to crash on the highway. All the oil leaked out, and the car won't start. I'm being told to replace my entire engine because of a possible head gasket, which according to multiple forums, tends to be faulty in the '03 models. These should obviously be recalled if so many cars are affected. I'm paying over 5000 dollars in repairs and costs for this. I refuse to ever let anyone I know, as well as myself, purchase another cadillac, unless this gets resolved.
As I was driving down the highway, the stability control light came on, then the brakes seemed to jerk a little and the car lost most of it's power. I had a mechanic test it, and they said they couldn't find a reason for it. The stability control light stayed on, but I didn't seem to have the problem again until about 2-3 months later when I was going 70 down the highway, lost all power and the motor shut down. Cadillac would not restart, had to have it towed over 2 hours back home, only to find that this time the timing belt had broken and the motor is blown since these cars have interference motors which causes the valves to get bent when the timing belt breaks. I am now without a vehicle and was almost in 2 accidents due to this. Another issue is the light cover from the lights on the trunk came off in the car wash and broke. Apparently this is a known issue yet cadillac refuses to fix it. Their adhesive was not strong enough to hold on the plastic. This was my first cadillac, and will be my last. They are dangerous and they refuse to fix their failures.
I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden the vehicle lost all power. I was almost hit by the cars behind me. The timing belt had broken, and the motor is now blown due to the valves being bent. This was not only dangerous for me and my family, but is very very costly. I had previous issue with the vehicle losing power once while driving, also almost got into accident, but the mechanic could not find the cause. This was about 3 months earlier. It only happened on the highway going between 60 - 70 MPH. This is so dangerous! I was over 2 hours from home, and had to pay a ridiculous amount to have the vehicle towed back home.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine compartment emitted smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the valve cover gasket would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the valve cover gasket was replaced a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
An oil leak after driving about 35 miles, completely drained oil. Brought car to cadillac dealer who charger me $4500 to repair. Looked on mycarstats.com web site and saw another of the same problem...case #[xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2003 cadilac cts. Consumer writes in regards to problems with brake system *tgw the consumer stated the metal brake line had to be replaced, due to severe corrosion. The consumer stated he received a recall letter two days later. Also, the struts, three wheel bearings, radiator, transmission cooler line also had to be replaced due to corrosion. The cruise control and gas tank, which was leaking had to replaced.
Under 33,000 miles on this car. While driving down a hill I heard a loud clank noise. Car lost all steering and brake power completely locked up. Had towed to shop and they said timing chain is broken and passenger side of engine is locked up with bent valves. No warning what so ever. Check engine light never came on. Now this car needs a new engine.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated whenever the vehicle was not started for a few days it would only start with a jump start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer at least three times who stated the battery caused the failure to occur. A brand new battery was installed but the vehicle would not start. The contact also stated that the trunk was too heavy to stay in the up position each time she opened it. The trunk had fallen onto her head but there were no injuries. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,100.
2003 cadillac cts all I can say is im disgusted with this car nothing but problems. I don't know if that leakage that is reported on here had something to do with what happened but now I have a car sitting in my driveway which I can't use because it has a loud knocking sound coming from engine. Which most than likely needs replaced which is very expensive can I say first cadillac and will never buy another one ever..
While traveling at moderate speed vehicle began shaking violently and loosing power. The engine was missing on one or more cylinders. Dealer recommended replacing coil, sparkplug, valve cover gaskets and oil cooler. This seems to have been caused by a defect mentioned in cad cts tsb id # 1609265 dated 2005. This tsb states that the crankcase vapors and engine oil will vent through the cam/valve cover seals when the crankcase ventilation system becomes blocked. The oil on this vehicle evidently vented and leaked several places including into the ignition coils causing a short. If this had happened in interstate traffic at high speeds this could have caused an accident or if the oil had leaked on very hot surfaces possibly a fire. The tsb specified kits that were to be installed to prevented this from happening. Evidently, these were never installed on this vehicle.
I've had numerous problems ever since I bought my 2003 cadillac cts. My engine starts smoking under the hood when I turn on my heater when it's cold outside. I replaced my brake lights several times. My windshield wiper module is broke. I had to get a new motor for my window because that broke. I had nothing but problems with this car and many other people have the same conditions as me. Why isn't it on recall ??? I mean we paid good money for it so we should get the same quality back !!! I know gm has to review our comments. They just don't care about there customers. Gm needs better customer service because there service sucks!!!! Recall....recall....recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2003 cts - service tracking system began to display and engage frequently. Took to local dealer and was told nothing was wrong with vehicle. Problem continued and began vibrating badly and pulling toward left (unable to brake). Returned vehicle several times before they replaced "steering sensor" $650.00. Two months later began to lose power immediately after start up, dealer replaced battery. While driving vehicle home problem began again. Displayed low battery, then multiple warning lights for service (ABS, tracking, airbag ect...). Returned vehicle to dealer and they are currently replacing alternator. I have no confidence that this is the real problem based on what I have read on-line regarding this same issue. I also have same leakage issues from both coolant and oil sources that I have read on-line. Dealer continues to tell me to replace both gaskets and thermostat. These again are common issues that are posted consistently on-line by consumers. These are seriously dangerous failures based on people's personal safety. Gm must step up and honor these safety issues by recalling these items. Inability to control vehicle due to tracking system engaging and not able to brake, vehicle losing power and stalling while driving 50 miles an hour, and lastly fire hazard due to leaking plastic valve cover gaskets.
Driving our 2003 cts it will shut off without notice. It was put on a machine and nothing showed wrong since 2003. Eventually it shut off and would startup for 45 min (2010) the crank sensor was replaced and 2 weeks later it shut off again..
Oil in coolant reservoir due to oil cooler located under the intake manifold, between the cylinder heads leaking. Cadillac 2003 cts with 6 cylinder opel motor with only 62,000 miles.
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