2003 Cadillac CTS: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Lights · 49,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. When the contact opened the vehicle doors with the key fob, the headlights and overhead lights illuminated extremely bright and then dimmed. In addition, the contact stated that the navigation system failed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a legal issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2012 · Lights · 76,000 miles · MI

Just got off the xway, stopped at red light. While waiting at the light, which was stuck red for about 5 min, both (hid) head lights failed at the same time. They flashed on & off 3 times, than stayed out. I switched on the fog lights so I could drive the last 3 miles home. The dealer had to replace both lights at a cost of over $2,000. The dealer had no idea what caused both to fail at the same time. I wrote a letter to cadillac customer service. They called me and said they would not forward the info to a technical dept to determine the cause. I estimate there are 10,000 miles on these lights. I wrote a second to cadillac, again they called me and said they were closing the file on this case. To me this is a safety issue as it could happen again at 70 MPH on a curve. These (hid) lights are a pricey option and are sold that under normal use they should last the life of the car.

Filed Jul 13, 2008 · Lights · 60,000 miles · AZ

Headlight cover on cadillac cts 2003 develops cracking and spider webs, such that visibility is diminished. I have noticed this on all older cts vehicles in the phoenix area. It may be due to the sun. However, this problem does not appear on other older vehicle headlamps. The dealer will not repair despite extended warranty. Repair can only be done via replacement on the entire headlamp assembly which costs in excess of $1,300 plus labor by a gm dealer.

Filed Apr 24, 2007 · Lights · PW

Low beams on the headlights has a black bar in my line of vision. Creates a "blind" spot and makes night driving on the country roads near my home dangerous. It also creates an area of darkness that doesn't light up stop signs or intersections along these roads . I feel this should be something that has to be corrected!! I drive along these roadways while it is dark twice a day 4 times a week on my way to and from work. I would feel more comfortable if my entire line of vision was lit up. Thankfully I have the use of the high beams that do not have this dark bar.

Filed Oct 3, 2006 · Lights · CA

Headlights project a black bar at night across roadway, making it difficult to see and obstructs street signs. Talked to dealer several times about this problem but was told that nothing could be done about it.

Filed Oct 3, 2005 · Lights · 75,000 miles · CA

Dt: 2003 cadillac cts. Safety defect included the low beam lights. A shadow is present when the lights are on low beam. Contacted the local dealership and they told the consumer that they would fix the problem for 50% of the cost. While going around curves or on a hill one can see a shadow. Incident date was july 26, 2005. No crashes, no police reports, no injuries.*ak updated 11/2/2005.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Electrical · 14,940 miles · MO

The consumer experienced an electrical defect. Headlights, dashboard, and other illumination components worked intermittently. Also, battery had to be replaced. *ak

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Lights · CA

Dark bar obstructing night lumination. Have had the lights adjusted three times. Cadillac will not correct. Unable to drive car safely at night. Light shines as far as the top of trees and underpasses. On coming drivers flash their lights as if I have my high beams on.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Lights · NY

Hid headlights s.u.c.k., in almost all instances where I have had the misforune of having a vehicle so equiped coming at me I have had to shield my eyes because of the glare and eye strain. Knowing that dot and associated agencies seem to have a regulation for everything automotive. I thought maybe a useful regulation could be enacted regarding these safety hazards that the "big 3" are trying to pass off as headlights. I am now living in europe and here headlights don't glare drivers like us spec lights do. Why does the rest of the world have real headlighs and in the us we have to have these poorly aimed "flood lights". Current us headlights are in serious need of a new standard that matches the rest of the world. That way I, and the rest of the motoring public, won't have to drive with sunglasses on at night.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Lights · 8,316 miles · OK

When the headlights were on low beam they produced a dark spot. As a result, vision is impaired. *ak

Filed Oct 30, 2003 · Lights · 1 miles · FL

(corrected complaint) headlight low beam on the cadillac cts 2003 has a black bar that reduces vision to about 75 feet and on dark country roads, this shortened vision is extremely dangerous. The headlight should be a recall before serious accidents occur as a result of this condition. What was cadillac thinking? Cadillac doesn't seem to think there is a problem but obviously they don't ever drive their product on dark roads at night. This headlight problem needs to be corrected!! It is awful!

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Lights · MI

The headlights contained dark spot on the lenses which interfered with the drivers' visibility.