TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, IT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DEALER PARKING LOT AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE MORE HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE LESS POWER THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED. THE CONTACT LET UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SOME POWER RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY GAINED POWER THE MORE HE RELEASED THE PEDAL. THE DEALER RESET THE FUEL INJECTOR SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO PART STORE AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THREE INJECTORS WERE BEING MISREAD. THE CONTACT MUST CONTINUOUSLY PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY STILL EXHIBITS SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS AND WILL SHUT OFF IF GIVEN TOO MUCH ACCELERATION. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08
2003 Cadillac CTS complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
DESIGN FLAW? PLASTIC VALVE COVER FAILURE. OIL LEAKING ON ENGINE. *TR
PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM SHORT TERM PARKING IN APPROXIMATELY 7 DEGREE WEATHER. AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES NOTICE SEVERE POWER LOSS. WITHIN NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES 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 WEATHERCONDITIONS, SOME 2003-2004 VEHICLES WITH 3.2L V6 ENGINE MAY LEAK ENGINE OIL FROM THE CAM/VALVE SEALS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE LEFT SIDE JUST BELOW THE OIL FILL HOLE IN THE CAM/VALVE COVER." THIS IS QUITE A BIT MORE THAN A LEAK SINCE APPROXIMATELY A QUART OF OIL WAS BLOWN ON THE ENGINE IN ONLY A COUPLE MINUTES. IF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN HOTTER THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A FIRE. SINCE THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH A KNOWN CAUSE SHOULDN'T THIS BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GM OR AT LEAST THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. THEY HAVE A CORRECTION LISTED IN THEIR TSB THAT LOOKS TO FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE BUT SINCE THIS IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST THE COST FOR REPAIR WILL BE MUCH LARGER DUE TO THE BLOWN OUT GASKETS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. TO FIX BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO YOU USE GM PCV HOSE KI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NOW THE ENGINE IS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $7,000. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,076 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE TRUNK WOULD SLAM DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE TRUNK SLAMMED DOWN ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE TRUNK WAS DIFFICULT TO LIFT. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AMONG THAT YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY THE LABOR FEES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,990 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LIFT SUPPORTS WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD IN BOTH JULY AND OCTOBER OF 2007 BY THE TRUNK LID COMING DOWN. SHE WAS STRUCK ON THE HEAD AND BACK AND WAS SORE, BUT DID NOT NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
INNER DIFFERENTIAL BEARING NOISES ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WHY IS THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE NOT COVERED BY GM/CADILLAC. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW THAT IT IS LEAKING. *TR *JB
TRUNK LID IS EXTREMELY HEAVY. MY WIFE HAS TROUBLE JUST OPENING IT. *JB
PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JANUARY 2005. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAR SHUT DOWN AT WILL GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR OR 65 MILES PER HOUR. STABILIZING MESSAGE COME ON, SERVICE STABILIZING SYSTEM, THROTTLE BODY NEEDS SERVICE. HAD SERVICED 4 TIMES STILL DOING THE SAME THING. CONDITION RESULTING REPLACING WIRING HARNESS. $2,000.00. CAR IS A 2003 WITH APPROX 70,000 MILES. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS (THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF MODEL WAS CORRECT). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,500. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, ENGINE SIZE, VIN, AND POWERTRAIN INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE.
I AM AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM NUMEROUS TIMES BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO INFORM THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, ONLY TO BE TOLD MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT OR GIVE MY ONE THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. MY VEHICLE IS STILL DEFECTIVE TO THIS DATE. *TR
2003 CADILLAC CTS - I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 03/10/07, WITHIN 1 MONTH THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE $370.00. THE NEXT FAILURE WAS A MONTH LATER WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WENT BAD $752.12
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. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 71000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING UNDER COLD DRY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY SHE NOTICES DARK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REACH A PARKING LOT, AND WHEN SHE LIFTED THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
2003 CADILLAC CTS WITH 45852 MILES - OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE CAM/ VALVE COVER SEALS DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS. I WAS MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATE WHEN THICK BLACK SMOKE BEGAN POURING THROUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM INTO THE CAR. VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED AND BREATHING WAS IMPAIRED. WITHIN SECONDS, I WAS FORCED TO EVACUATE THE CAR. SMOKE BEGAN ROLLING OUT FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SPARKING AND SMALL FLASH FIRES ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR NEAR THE TIRE. I WAS IN A RURAL AREA IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER AND WAS FORCED TO SLOWLY LIMP THE CAR TO A SAFER AREA TO GET HELP AND CONTACT TOWING SERVICE. AS OF DECEMBER 20TH, MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM RECEIVING CONFLICTING INFORMATION BETWEEN CADILLAC AND THE DEALERSHIP. GENERAL MOTORS DOCUMENT ID # 1644918 STATES THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON APRIL 7, 2005 AND ALSO STATES THAT TO PREVENT RECURRENCE AN AFTER MARKET PART MUST BE INSTALLED. HOWEVER, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AND GENERAL MOTORS/CADILLAC ARE REFUSING TO ASSIST ME IN EITHER HANDLING THE ISSUE AS A WARRANTY OR REPAIRING THE CAR WHICH IS STILL AWAITING PARTS AND SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONSUMER SAFETY ISSUE AS IT ONLY OCCURS DURING EXTREME COLD AND COULD POSE SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS DUE TO EXPOSURE AS WELL AS TRAFFIC INCIDENTS DUE TO VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT FROM THE SMOKE. *NM
1. I PURCHASED A USED 2003 CADILLAC CTS IN 2005 WITH 45,000 ORIGINAL MILES FROM A GM DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, OREGON. IT WAS REPUTED TO BE IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION BY THE GM MECHANICS. 2. THIS VEHICLE HAS SINCE CUT ENGINE POWER SPONTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TOWN, PRESENTING SUDDEN AND SERIOUS DANGER TO DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND OTHER MOTORISTS AS THE VEHICLE MUST BE STEERED POWERLESS TO THE MEDIAN/SHOULDER. ONCE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 75 MPH FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE NEARLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. 3. GM TECH'S ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AFTER 7-8 ATTEMPTS, SO IT CONTINUES TO RECUR. GM REFUSES TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THEIR INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE, ENFORCE THE WARRANTY, AND THE OBVIOUS DANGER TO ALL INVOLVED. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WOULD NOT ARBITRATE BECAUSE MILEAGE WAS OVER 24,000. I AM CURRENTLY SEEKING LEGAL COUNSEL, BUT FEEL THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. *NM
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. *NM
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. *NM
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. *JB
BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE BEING APPLIED, CAUSING DELAY IN STOPPING TIME. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS GONE OUT AND HAS METAL GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HAVE TO GET COMPRESSOR REPLACED ALREADY AND IT IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $2300. CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, THE STEERING SYSTEM SENSOR IS GONE OUT AND IS GOING TO COST $500 TO GET REPLACED. FM RADIO HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE WORKING. THIS IS THE NEWEST CAR I'VE HAD AND THE WORST CAR. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS, I THINK THIS CAR IS A TOTAL DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WAS AT 51000 MILES WHEN THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AND I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THAT IS CLEARLY FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS USED IN THIS CAR IT IS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS, AND IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS WHICH I FEEL NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED; ALONG WITH THE 'SERVICE AIR BAG' MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
WE OWN A 2003 CTS CADILLAC WITH 40,000 MILES AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON. THE CAR SHAKES AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. EG. 47, 59,65,69, AND 75 MILES PER HOUR. THE WHEEL ACTUALLY SHAKES IN MY HANDS. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. CADILLAC STATED IT WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 2003 CTS. MAYBE AN ESCORT BUT NOT A CADILLAC. THEY OFFERED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION TO 100,000 MILES. WHOOPIE. I NOW MUST DRIVE A CAR THAT I FEEL IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I REALLY BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION WILL TOTALLY FAIL AND SOON. IT GETS WORSE AND WORSE. THANKS FOR VIEWING THIS LETTER. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK LID, THE HINGES THAT HOLD THE TRUNK LID OPEN FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE TRUNK LID WOULD NOT STAY OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND NEW HINGES WERE ORDERED.
MY BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES. WITHIN 6 MONTHS MY BRAKE PADS AGAIN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I NOW HAVE 34,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THESE BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS FAST. *NM
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. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 2003 CADILLAC CTS IT IS VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR SEAT IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY THAT THE CAR SEAT COULD BE PUT IN EASIER. *AK
DT: VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES. THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES SINCE JANUARY. THE DEALER TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME SHE TOOK IT IN. MANUFACTURER SAID SHE COULD HAVE A NEW VEHICLE IF SHE PAID FOR IT. SHE WANTED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE.*AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A MAIL BOX. *AK *JB
2003 CADILLAC AND IN THE FIRST WEEK THE AIR COMPRESSOR BURNED OUT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED BUT WHEN I WENT TO RUN THE AIR ALL IT WAS DOING WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS BLOWING OUT 55 DEGREE AIR. YES AT NIGHT THE AIR BLOWS OUT COOL AIR BUT WHEN I AM IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER THE AIR THAT IS BLOWN OUT IS HOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING. TO THIS DAY IT DON'T WORK UNTIL NIGHTTIME. SOME GOOD THAT DOES ME. *JB
DASHBOARD WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM KEPT COMING BACK. ON ONE OCCASION THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FOR UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. *AK DASHBOARD PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE HAS DIED 3 TIMES. ENCLOSED HERE WITH THE CUSTOMER CLAIM FORM FOR DETAILS AND THE TOWED TRUCK REPORT AND SERVICE DOCUMENTS FROM CAR DEALER. *BF
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 PAPERW
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE NUMBER OF CTS AND CTS-V REAR DIFFERENTIALS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE NOW BEEN THROUGH 2 PERSONALLY, AND AN ONLINE POLL OF 65 CTS-V OWNERS SHOWED THIS: 26% HAVE HAD 1 REPLACEMENT, 5% HAVE HAD 2 OR MORE REPLACED, AND 8% HAVE HAD 3 OR MORE REPLACED. THE LINK FOR THIS POLL IS: HTTP://CADILLACFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=305662&POSTED=1#POST305662. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING ANY INFORMATION LEARNED. THANK YOU. *AK!
CADILLAC CTS 2003 REPLACED CAR SIDE PANEL. *BF THE CONSUMER NOTICED THERE WAS A FOAM INSULATION ABSORBENT MATERIAL INJECTED IN THE ROCKER WITHIN THE INNER AND OUTER PAN. THE CONSUMER STATE THE MATERIAL USED WAS FOUND TO HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. *JB
BOUGHT CAR IN AUGUST OF 2004, THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME CAR HAS BEEN PUT IN SHOP. CAR WOULD BE STILL RUNNING BUT "ENGINE REDUCE POWER DISPLAYED ON SCREEN", NO GAS WOULD GO TO PEDAL I WOULD HAVE TO COAST TO A SAFE LOCATION. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY, EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY HAVE REPAIRED IT BUT THIS IS NUMBER 4. REPLACED A COMPUTER CHIP, FLUSHED OUT THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT, REPLACE CRAKED CRANK SHAFT CASE, HAVEN'T HEARD WHAT NOW THEY ARE REPLACING.
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD, AND OTHER ILLUMINATION COMPONENTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB
2003 CADILLAC CTS, NO SEVICE LIGHTS ON, WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN SMOKE INSIDE OF THE CAR. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND ASSISTANCE OPENED THE HOOD, FLAME UNDER HOOD AND SMOKE FROM FIRE NEAR BATTERY. WAS TOLD THAT PVC VALVE BURST UNDER PRESSURE FROM COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES, CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OVER ENGINE AND UNDER HOOD AND BECAUSE ENGINE WAS HOT FROM USE, CAUSED IT TO IGNITE. ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE 3-4TH CAR REPORTED LAST WEEK TO ONE DEALERSHIP WITH SAME PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHAT REPAIRS WERE DONE, CAR IS REPAIRED TODAY.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HEAD REST FAILED. CONSUMER, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. *AK...CONSUMER AND WIFVE SUFFERED WHIPLASH. IT REQUIRED SEVERAL MONTHS OF DOCTOR VISITS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. *AK
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.*AK
RECALL 03V115000 CONCERNING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST, STEERING GEAR OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CURB. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WITH THIS ISSUE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE BREAK LINE WAS BAD AS INDICATED ON THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR. *TC
AIRBAG DEFECT ON GOING FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR TO THE DEALER OVER AND OVER AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DEFECTS I HAVE HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR. *AK
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. *AK
THE CLEAR BACK LENS OF THE 2003 CTS IS FULL OF CONDENSATION AND WATER. TOOK IT TO THE CAR DEALER IN NEW ROCHELL . THEY DRILL PILOT HOLES TO ALLOW FOR THE WATER TO DRAIN, THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE PLENTY OF CONDENSATION IN THE BACK CLEAR WHITE LENS IN THE BACK TRUNK. WHAT SHOULD I DO. *AK
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BACK UP WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. *NM WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN COME TO A JOLTING HALT, THE ENGINE WOULD REV FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND STILL BE DEPRESSED. THE SOLENOID WOULD BE REPLACED WHICH DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEN THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *SC
(1) FLICKERING DISPLAY LIGHTS; BUZZING WHEN TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED; BATTERY DIED AFTER 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE; EIGHT [8] CONSECUTIVE TIMES OF "ENGINE HOT--AC TURNED OFF" ON DIC--LAST TIME WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DISPLAY.*AK
VEHICLE COMMENCED TO FISH TAIL WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
WE PURCHASED STS IN AUG 03 AND NOTICED THE FIRST DAY A SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER...MATAGA REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND ADVISED US THAT IT WAS A STRESS CRACK AND THEY HAD OTHER UNITS WITH THIS CONDITION...I NOTICED ONE YEAR LATER, THERE IS A CRACK IN THE REPLACED WINDSHIELD AT THE SAME LOCATION!!!*AK
GOODYEAR EAGLE 225/55R16 DOT#M6T4LNDR1203 THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES ROTATED ON HIS VEHICLE EVERY 4 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ONLY 23,000MI ON THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS PUT A HOLD ON THE PRODUCTION OF THESE TIRES. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO SWERVE. WHILE TRYING TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STEERING SHAFT BOLT BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *NM
SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONES, BEGINS INTERMITTENTLY WITH EITHER SLOW OR NON-RESPONSE WHEN TURNING DIAL TO CLOSE; GRADUALLY WORSENS. SUNROOF HAS OPENED TO "VENT" POSITION ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING CONTROLS. MODULE AND HOUSING REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, PROBLEM CONTINUES TO RETURN. MODULE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED FOR FOURTH TIME.*AK
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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