2003 Cadillac CTS complaints

NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V10500 RE; CADILLAC CTS MODELS BRAKE LINE CORROSION PROBLEMS DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN SCOPE, IN MY OPINION. OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2003 CTS HAD NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL. IN FACT, BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND CADILLAC CORPORATE CUST SERVICE SAID THEY SHOWED THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VECHICLE. BEING SKEPTICAL OF THAT ASSERTION BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD SPENT IT'S FIRST TWO YEARS IN CONNECTICUT ON LEASE, I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THEY FOUND (AND I WITNESSED) THE BADLY CORRODED BRAKE HOSE FITTINGS. AS THE MECHANIC PUSHED ON THE L.H. RUBBER SLEEVE COVERING THE HOSE TO METAL TUBE JUNCTION TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE HOSE SEPARATED FROM THE TUBE !! THIS WITH ONLY THE PRESSURE APPLIED WITH ONE FINGER !! WE WERE ONE HARD BRAKING APPLICATION FROM A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT !! BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN, AND THOSE ARE THE METAL TUBING LINES IN THE FRONT OF THE CHASSIS THAT ARE PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING ( AND ANTI-SKID) SYSTEMS. MANY OF THESE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, MAKING THEM AS MUCH A CONTRIBUTOR TO BRAKE FAILURE AS THE HOSES.! I BELIEVE THESE LINES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL OR EXPANSION OF THE HOSE RECALL. *TR

THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY UP. IT CONTINUOUSLY SLAM DOWN. IT HAS FALLEN ON BOTH MY HUSBAND AN MY HEAD AND SHOULDERS. IT HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT CORRECT IT, SAYS CAR TOO OLD. ALL OWNERS BE CAREFUL!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

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. *TR

LOST CONTROL OF 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON THE MASS PIKE - HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, CAREENED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

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.. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE COVER FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR LIGHT MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW, IMPROVED MODULE. THE BACK UP LAMPS AND THE REAR FINISH PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED WITH A SAFER PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,556 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. FOLLOWING REPAIRS, THE ABNORMAL NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BEFORE DETERMINING IF THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,576 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

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. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 52,000. MILES ..I BOUGHT IT NEW /DEMO WITH 4,000. MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP 4X. THE STABILITY ENGAGED SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATES. THEY CAN NOT FIX AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL AREAS OF FRONT END. SSE LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND IS NOW MORE FREQUENT. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED 6X IN 20 MIN. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THEN UPON BRAKE PRESSURE, VIBRATING PEDAL, ABS ENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS TO TRY TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM IS INCREASING AND THE CAR PULLING AND VIBRATING IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS THAT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO DEMAND THIS PROBLEM BE REPAIRED?YOU HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY NUMEROUS AND GM IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM OR WORSE YET THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT...PLEASE HELP! *TR

2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE; ESPECIALLY ON THE GAS AND BRAKE LINES. *JB

IT WAS DECEMBER I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT ,I WAS SITTING IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WARMING UP THE CAR AND PUTTING EYELINER ON, WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE. WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM AIRBAGS WENT OFF FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL THEN DRIVER DOOR IT MADE MARKS ON MY FACE AND NECK I REPORTED IT TO CADILLAC THEY ACCEPTED WHAT HAPPENED BUT ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE AIRBAGS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS REPLACED. DURING A TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ANTI-THEFT AND ON -STAR FEATURES THAT INTERFERED WITH THE STARTER AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THERE WAS NO FAVORABLE RESPONSE FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS WHICH WAS REPAIRED. HE IS NOW EXPERIENCING CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES HOSES AND FUEL HOSES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13300. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE CALIPERS. UPDATED 10/07/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE HOSE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. HE HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH THE BRAKE, TRACTION AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE RECEIVED GM RECALL NOTICE NO. 09149 FOR THE BRAKES WHICH IS RELATED TO NHTSA#10V105000; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PARTS WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS WHENEVER THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARTS WERE NEVER ORDERED. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THE FAILURE HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

THE EXTERIOR BACK BRAKE LIGHTS FELL OFF MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MODEL. I HAVE NOTICED A MAJORITY OF THE 2003 CTS MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME CADILLAC WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, THE VEHICLE COST ME OVER 30,000.00 AFTER ITS PAID FOR, THEY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY MAKES CADILLAC LOOK AWFUL TO HAVE THAT MANY VEHICLES IN THE SAME CONDITION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE CADILLACS. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 CADILLAC'S CTS WITH ABOUT 77K MILES. ON 7-5-2010 AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING PLAZA AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, THRU BUSHES, AND ONTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR FACING US. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WE NOTICE WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE ENGINE REVVING UP. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW. *TR

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. *TR

2003 CADILLAC CTS - THE BACKUP LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAME OFF IN CAR WASH... DEALERSHIPS ARE WELL AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT SAY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF GM. THEY SAID THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THE SUPPLIER TO CADILLAC USED AN INCORRECT EPOXY TO BUILD THE PART. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WILL DO NOTHING. PART IS OVER $550 TO REPLACE!! ONE SEARCH ON INTERNET BRINGS UP HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I CALLED CADILLAC AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THEY CAN DO NOTHING MORE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN DECEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED RECALL 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS).IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CONTAINMENT MODULE FOR THE AIR BAGS PROTRUDED OUTWARD AND WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY,T HE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE RADIO ONLY RECEIVED ONE CHANNEL. IN ADDITION, THE MOON ROOF MADE A GROANING NOISE AND OPENED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

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. *TR

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IMPROPERLY SEAL ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO MECHANISM AND BURN OUT LED BULBS. *TR

POSSIBLY DUE TO REDUCED BRAKE FLUID LEVELS THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AT WHICH POINT THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM BECAME STUCK BEHIND A PLASTIC UNDER DASH TRAY, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND NO BREAKING. LUCKILY, THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE AT SLOW SPEEDS (BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY), SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE MANUALLY STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DISLODGED FROM THE OBSTRUCTION, WHICH WAS EASY WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND THE OPERATOR COULD LEAN UNDER THE DASH AND MOVE THE PEDAL. AT SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE PEDAL. BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BLED AND ADDITIONAL FLUID ADDED TO REDUCE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL. PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED AS A RESULT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN FRAMINGHAM MASSACHUSETTS, THE FRONT BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED MAKING THE CR VERY HARD TO STOP AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. A BRAKE SHOP CHECKED THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE AND BROKEN LOOSE LEAVING ME WITHOUT ANY FRONT BRAKES. IT COST $800 TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REFUND ME THAT MONEY AND ALSO CHECK MY CAR TO ENSURE THAT MY BRAKES ARE NOT AT RISK OF FAILING AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT HAD DRIVEN 20 MILES AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN SHE ATTEMPED TO BRAKE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE CORRODED DUE TO SALTY ROAD CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH SHE HAD RECENTLY HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP.THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED NO BRAKING FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY BRAKE-RELATED RECALLS AND SHE WAS THEREFORE DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000

2003 CADILLAC SAFETY ISSUES: PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE EBCM - ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THESE MODULES FAIL AND CANNOT BE REBUILT. DEALER COST IS OVER $500 WITH MOST DEALERS CHARGING MORE THAN $750. PREMATURE AND RAMPANT FAILURE OF THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT. GM EVEN ADMITTED FAILURE OF THE NEON LIGHTS USED FOR THIS APPLICATION AND QUICKLY SWITCHED TO A RELIABLE LIGHT MEDIA. REPLACEMENTS RANGE FROM $250 USED (IF YOU CAN FIND ONE THAT WORKS) TO $500 RETAIL AT GM. BOTH OF THESE UNITS ARE KNOWN HIGH FAILURE ITEMS AND BOTH COST A FORTUNE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL GM DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT THE CALL VOLUME HAD NOT ACCUMULATED ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,060.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 65 AND 73 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR THE SECOND TIME, AS A RESULT OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

ENGINE OIL LEAKS INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM THROUGH THE OIL COOLER LOCATED IN UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE COOLANT WILL THEN TURN INTO A THICK SUBSTANCE WHICH DOES NOT EASILY FLOW THROUGH THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND THE CAR ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE OIL COOLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL RUBBER COOLANT LINES AND THEN THE COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED TO REMOVE ALL CONTAMINATED COOLANT. TYPICAL COST IS AROUND 4500 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS 121,000 WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT FROM READING ON LINE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH MILEAGE FROM 50,000 ON UP. *TR

I OWN A 2003 CTS, APPROX. 1WK AGO THE "ADD BRAKE FLUID" MESSAGE APPEARED ON SCREEN. WHILE COMING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH, I PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE NOTICED THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. I CALLED MY HUSBAND,THAT EVENING HE CHECKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE WHICH WHEN SIMPLY TOUCH FELL COMPLETELY OFF. IT WAS CORRODED. HE ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PIECE WHICH CAME IN ABOUT 4DAYS LATER, ONCE REPLACED, HE CHECKED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, WHICH WHEN TOUCHED FELL OFF WITH SAME DIAGNOSIS. HE THEN CHECKED THE BACK BRAKE LINES WHICH HE FOUND WHERE MADE AND PUT TOGETHER ENTIRELY DIFFERENT, THUS THEY WHERE FINE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A RECALL SITUATION IN MY OPINION THAT COULD HAVE ENDED TRAGICALLY. *TR

LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO STALL AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THE ECM COMPUTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88000. UPDATED 2/1/10 *CN THE CAM SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 02/02/10.*JB

I DRIVE A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I NOTICED THE BRAKES SEEMED TO NEED REPAIR (NOT RESPONSIVE ENOUGH) AND THE "BRAKE LIGHT" CAME ON. MY CAR HAD APPROX 70000 MILES AND THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED! I HAVE THE BRAKE LINES THAT WERE REMOVED. A CAR WITH 70K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED BRAKELINES. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS AND COST $250 TO REPAIR + RENTAL CAR. THIS WAS A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

THE LICENSE PLATE BACK UP LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 MYSTERIOUSLY CAME UP MISSING. THIS IS A COSTLY PIECE TO REPLACE. I HAVE CALLED MULTIPLE SALVAGE YARDS TO FIND OUT THAT A LOT OF THEM RECEIVES 2-3 CALLS PER WEEK FOR THIS PART. I TALKED TO A CLAIM REPRESENTATIVE AT STATE FARM AND HE SO HAPPENED TO HAVE HAD 3 OPEN CLAIMS WITHIN ONE MONTH. ALL CONVERSATIONS LEAD THIS TO BEING A DEFECT IN THE MAKING OF THE VEHICLE. NOT HAVING THIS PART, LEAVES MY BRAKE LIGHTS EXPOSED. *TR

OIL LEAK FROM FROZEN PCV VALVE AND VALVE COVER GASKET. CAUSES OIL TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE AND EXHAUST AND FUMES FROM BURNING OIL TO ENTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2009. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ROD FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED $100 OFF OF THE NEXT ROUTINE SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

THE REAR BACK UP LIGHT FELL OFF MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER ONE PUT ON, ONLY TO LEARN THAT GM DOES NOT EVEN MAKE THAT PART ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING DEFECTIVE. TO FIX MY VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A NEWER MADE PART THAT COST APPROXIMATELY $697.00. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER THAT PRODUCED THIS PART FOR GM DID NOT USE THE CORRECT EPOXY TO ADHERE THE BACK UP LIGHT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO CALL GM CORPORATE OFFICE TO TAKE THE "PROBLEM" UP WITH THEM. AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM, HE TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL ME WITH A FINAL DECISION AND NEVER CALLED. I HAVE PLACED CALLS TO THEM EVERYDAY SINCE AND I KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND. SUPPOSEDLY NO ONE BUT THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST HANDLING MY CASE CAN HELP ME AND HE WILL NOT ANSWER OR RETURN MY CALLS. MY QUESTION IS THIS, UNDER THE LAW SOMEONE CANNOT SELL ANYTHING KNOWING THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. WITH VEHICLES ALL EXTERIOR COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE SUPPOSE TO WITHSTAND "MOTHERNATURE" AND NATURAL OCCURRENCES OF THE WEATHER, SO WHY WHEN KNOWING THE PART IS DEFECTIVE DO THEY EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE IT? GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE IT CAN NOT CAUSE BODILY HARM THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT OR RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. IS THIS WHAT OUR ECONOMY HAS COME TO, LARGE CORPORATIONS SWINDLING THE "LIT

REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINE ON MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION CAUSES THE WHINE. DEALERS ARE USELESS. *TR

WHINING DIFFERENTIAL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED MULTIPLE FAILURES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING THIS TIME AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $106. WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE A SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PCV PASSAGE FROZE AND CAUSED OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE EXHAUST. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PAV PASSAGE WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REDESIGNED THE PCV PASSAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PCV PASSAGE BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE LEAK, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. HE FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE BURNING OIL LEAVES A TOXIC SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE LEAKING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,164.

OIL LEAKAGE FROM CAM COVER GASKETS THAT REQUIRE REPAIR. 3.2L V-6 IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS. 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 WEATHER CONDITIONS. AND GM DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TILL JUNE FOR MY CAR AND AT A COST OF 860.00 DOLLAR. PCV HOSE KIT, P/N 55558592 AND OIL FILTER CAP, P/N 12589430. SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAUSE OF THE FUMES BEING RELEASED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAITING ALSO. A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS ON HIS VEHICLE SEEMED TO "DE-LAMINATE" FROM THE BASE METAL. HE FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. THE RIMS SEEM TO AFFECT THE TIRES AND THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD AIR. HE WOULD HAVE TO REFILL THE TIRES WITH AIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE RIMS WERE NOT FACTORY MANUFACTURED, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESE WERE THE RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THEY DID NOT COME FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY DISPLAYED THE CADILLAC EMBLEM. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE RIM OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,755 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

CAR ENGINE FAILED AT 30,000 MILES - IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND, SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. HE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE SHOP - JUST HAD TO TOW IT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN GINGERLY BY MY 80 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER FOR 7,000 MILES, THEN BY ME (AGE 40 WITH TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS) FOR THE REMAINING MILES. CADILLAC OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST TO REBUILD, BUT THE TOTAL COST WAS ESTIMATED AT OVER $15,000. THEY SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY NEW ENGINES TO DROP IN, BUT THEY FOUND ONE USED ENGINE (WITH 1 MILE ON IT) THAT THEY COULD USE THAT WOULD COST ABOUT $4,150. HOWEVER, THEY WOULDN'T PAY ANY OF THE COST OF DROPPING IN THE USED ENGINE. WE OPTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT OUR COST INSTEAD SO WE COULD GET AWAY WITH PAYING $4,150 INSTEAD OF $7,500. I COMPLAINED TO GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND KEPT BEING GIVEN INCORRECT INFORMATION. ONE PERSON WOULD TELL ME THEY WOULD PAY 1/2 THE COST TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, THE NEXT WOULD SAY THEY WOULD NOT PAY. I KEPT GOOD RECORDS OF ALL PERSONS CONTACTED DURING THE LONG, LONG PROCESS. THEY EVEN HAD ME GATHER ALL MY PRIOR SERVICE RECORDS SO THEY COULD BE CERTAIN THE CAR) HAD BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED (WHICH IT HAD.) AT ONE POINT I WAS EVEN TOLD (BY THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST OFFICE AT GM) THAT MY GRANDMOTHER HAD APPARENTLY PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT, AND THEY COULD JUST USE THAT. LATER, I WAS TOLD THAT NO EXTENDED WARRANTY EXISTED. I WAS LED ON AND MISINFORMED FOR 1 1/2 MONTHS, WHILE MY CAR SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP 90 MILES AWA

MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE EXPLODED RELEASING SEATBELT, STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SIDE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE VEHICLE. *TR

V6 ENGINE WITH COOLANT LEAKS. 3RD TIME SOMETHING DEALING WITH A LEAK REASON FOR SERVICE. THIS TIME A WATER PUMP THAT LEAD TO BROKEN,CRACK PULLEY. I CAN FIND NO ONE EVER HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR ALMOST 30 DAYS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD HAD COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE INNER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

WE HAVE WORK ON THIS TYPE OF CARS BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. I BELIEVE THEY WERE MADE TO WEAK. *TR

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. *TR