2003 Cadillac CTS: won't start

8 of the 313 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS describe won't start.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 74,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 68 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2014
1
2010
2
2008
8
2007
3
2006
3
2005
4
2004
3
2003
8

What owners say

Filed Mar 20, 2020 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · OK

The car will not start and I have to bypass the ignition with a jumper in the fusebox

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 92,000 miles · SC

Driving down road it just cut off other times it just would not start I have had it 3yrs and only got to drive it 2 mths I really wanted this car but never knew what was going to happen!also some kind of seal we had fixed blew maybe a week after it was fixed.

Filed May 29, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 72,579 miles · MO

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

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 62,560 miles · DE

Street.. On nov 2 2013 I was unable to get car started stranded at walmart 10 at night tried to get a. Battery chgd by walmart automotive dept no good came from that nxt day bought new battery had it installed . The nxt day going another stranded situation ask macs car dearler to help they advised me to have cad dearler check it out they would pay for diagnostico they could not find. Anything wrong.as soon as I left stoppe at ss building there for an hour, get to car wont start again..clld tow truck he couldnt get it started he lowered the flatbed to hitch my car for towing. He said let me try one more thing. He put car in n it stared making us look like fools..the same day got hm stopped at dollar store. Good thing I live across.

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 73,000 miles · MS

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.

Filed May 2, 2011 · Body, Engine · 90,100 miles · MD

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 74,000 miles · FL

Purchased 2003 cts used in 2007 with 54,000 miles. At 60,000 miles, the serpentine belt broke and destroyed engine in the middle of rush hour traffic. 30 days later coil went out and had to be towed again. Approximately 30 days after that the other coil went out and again vehicle was towed to the dealer for repairs. Currently the car is sitting in my driveway and will not start. Took to repair shop close to my house and they said the electrical system is too messed up to run a diagnostic on it. Prior to the vehicle dying in the driveway, the engine shut down in the middle of the road on two separate occasions. I lost steering and had to push it off the road. It is a dangerous and unreliable vehicle and should not be on the road. I contacted cadillac but received no response. The car currently has only 74000 miles on it with a total of maybe 20000 added in three years of ownership mostly due to the car needing constant repairs. I cannot afford to make the payments and pay for repairs both at the same time. I do not trust the safety of this vehicle.

Filed Apr 16, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Low coolant message three times in my cadillac cts dic. Dealer found nothing wrong, but added antifreeze every time. Antifreeze under the car took to dealer, antifreeze leaking from oil cooler plate. Car would not start even after a jump. Needed new ignition relay and battery.