2003 Cadillac CTS: whining or grinding noise

6 of the 313 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS describe whining or grinding noise.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 72,300
recalls: 0

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

Whining or grinding noise by model year

2016
2
2015
2
2014
8
2009
1
2006
3
2005
18
2004
13
2003
6

What owners say

Filed May 12, 2010 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · CT

I have a 2003 cts since new. The brakes almost completely failed last week. No dash light came on. The problem is easily seen. One of the lines from the master cylinder going to the ABS unit badly corroded at the lowest point in its run where the line is supported. The line away from the support is in good shape so it looks like you have a design flaw or improperly implemented design with that support. I was extremely lucky and extremely disappointed. The car has never been in an accident and most of the underside body and hardware looks almost new. My dealer says they have replaced a number of cts brake lines. You have a problem I had a lot of trouble with the cts when it was new as you should be able to see from your records. Although replaced the rear differential still howls. I expected better from cadillac. With that said I think gm ought to do something about the cts brake lines.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · NJ

Rear differential whine on my 2003 cadillac cts. The slightest pressure under light acceleration causes the whine. Dealers are useless.

Filed Apr 26, 2009 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

Whining differential.

Filed Apr 21, 2005 · Transmission · 18,698 miles · AL

Have 2003 cadillac cts, had the differential replaced because it was howling & getting worse (this is common complaint by owners of 2003 - 2005 cts models - see cadillac users group, cts forum). Picked up car after differential was replaced. Drove approximately 2 miles from dealer when differential locked up at 50 MPH. Managed to control slide/skid and slide off four-lane road surface without hitting other vehicles, but had it happened a mile further down the road, I'd have been on I-85 in heavy interstate traffic at 70 MPH... Dealer replaced failed rear end with another new one which, thus far (500 miles or so) is trouble-free, but in view of the problems I & others have experienced with these units, I have little confidence that the basic problem has been resolved. Uncomfortable at thought of depending on vehicle from both safety & basic transport aspect - reluctant to contemplate a long distance trip for these reasons. Called cadillac & they sent a warranty rider extending coverage of the differential/carrier assembly to 2010 or 100,000 miles, which is useful. However, gm mindset seems to be that it is cheaper to replace these units as they fail with new units with the same flaw , than it is to determine why they are failing, correct the flaw & provide owners with redesigned, safe units. I may be off a bit on the actual date of the incident involving failure of differential as my dealer, classic cadillac in montgomery, al, has not as of yet provided me a copy of the paperwork documenting the incident & installation of the third differential. I called my service rep yesterday & he apologized for the "oversight" & said they'd mail me the documentation. The differential that seized is not available - I told them I wanted to see it, but was informed that they had to send it back in order to get another replacement.

Filed Nov 28, 2004 · Transmission · 72,300 miles · TX

Noticed a high-pitched whine coming from rear at 50000 miles. Stopped by the dealership, the service manager drove the vehicle and stated it was the tires causing the noise. Continued to drive the vehicle, sound became more pronounced. A check engine light appeared, so needed to service the car. This repair was unrelated to the whine, an emission control valve had failed. While at the dealership requested they check, again, the whine from the rear. Was notified that indeed it was the differential that needed replacing. Have not taken possession of the vehicle, but am concerned about driving it now. Much concerned about the reliability of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 3, 2004 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · FL

Loud high pitch howling noise heard from inside at approximately 40 MPH and over. The first trip to the dealer I was told it was a wind noise. The second time at the dealer's I was told it is a normal characteristic of the 2003 cts.