2003 Cadillac CTS: jerking or lurching

7 of the 313 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 55,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 38 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2019
1
2018
1
2017
2
2016
4
2012
1
2011
1
2010
1
2009
3
2008
2
2007
4
2006
5
2005
7
2004
2
2003
7

What owners say

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 2/24/15*cn updated 9/15/2017

Filed Mar 19, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 108,000 miles · AZ

I was driving home from work when this first happened. All of a sudden a loud screeching noise and the brakes would not stop in time. I had to pump the brakes to work. I took my car to cadillac in arizona and they had it for 2 days and could not find an issue. I drove home that day with it and sure enough it did it while I was home. It had now began to jerk me to the right and left when I press on the brakes, scaring me thinking I am going to hit the car next to me. I took it to midas this time and they noticed a problem and said maybe its a wheel barring. They replaced issue duplicated itself shortly after. Since I did not have a second car or pay for a rental I had to take my car home to go back to work the next day. This problem is a safety hazard and I have even been pulled over because the cop asked why I was swerving while driving. I told the office its the code that comes up on my screen and it makes my car halt while driving and I can not control it. He stated that its a very serious issue and if another officer was on duty they might impound my car due to a safety hazard but he would give me a chance to take it home to go to the shop. I am almost close to trading in my vehicle and buying a new one, but not a cts. If cadillac can't solve this, the creator, who can? I am scared I'm going to veer off the freeway or hit a car on the way to work. I drive an hour to and from work everyday and my safety is the utmost concern to me and my family.

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Driver assistance · 55,000 miles · CA

I have a cts cadillac and it is seems to have a system problem. While driving the car the stability system engaged lights comes up and you hear a grinding noise. It has jerked on me a few times when this light comes on. Gmc does not want to hear about the problem they do nothing. This is a dangerous situation for the driver because you have no idea when this light is going to come on and the car starts grinding and moving. I feel that gmc should take responsibility for this and do a re-call. I have purchased new tires, I have done what I thought would fix the problem, but this light is really scaring me and the way the car grinds and makes this noise while driving.

Filed Sep 11, 2006 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · FL

When driving at varying speeds the stability system comes on, disengaging the cruise control if on, and jerking the vehicle to the left. Took the vehicle to dealer for repair, but situation not resolved. The stability system engaged message comes on at an average of every 2 minutes.

Filed Aug 28, 2006 · Driver assistance · 40,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the stability control malfunctioned, deactivated the cruise control and jerked the vehicle to the left and right. This has occurred on 30 separate occasions at various speeds and intermittently without the cruise control activated. The service dealer was unable to recreate the malfunction. The manufacturer was notified. The dealership was able to duplicate the problem, however the problem returned several days later. Updated 09/19/06.

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