2004 Cadillac Cts

Above average

Owners filed 224 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
50,000 milesMedian miles at failure

172 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit29
000
Electrical System27
001
Service Brakes19
100
Air Bags15
605
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
100
Power Train9
101
Structure › Body7
001
Vehicle Speed Control6
201
Steering6
100
Wheels3
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump14V542000
Filed Sep 9, 201410,005 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Risk. If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

Electrical System › Ignition14V394000
Filed Jul 2, 2014554,328 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings10V105000
Filed Mar 17, 2010139,131 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Risk. THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Air Bags05V024000
Filed Jan 20, 200587,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

Risk. A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Steering › Linkages04V273000
Filed Jun 9, 200441,928 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.

Risk. IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Seats03V346000
Filed Sep 29, 20036,771 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. A SEAT WITH ONLY ONE TAB ENGAGED OR NEITHER ENGAGED WOULD NOT MEET THE STATIC REARWARD LOADING TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS ARE FULLY SEATED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-800-458-8006.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Sep 25, 2024WA

The output shaft flange for the transmission that mounts to the driveshaft coupler the flange starts to break away and then breaks . I can provide photos but the metal on the part is close the the end and if I did not find this problem by mistake the drive shaft would have came free

Wheels
Filed Sep 2, 2024CA

I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place and rendered the car undrivable. Fortunately, he was not injured or worse, but he was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed to our home and towed to our mechanic the following day. The repair needed and done was to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Wheels
Filed Jul 15, 2024CA

Recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place, impairing the steering and motion, rendering the car undrivable. He was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed on a flatbed to our home and towed on a flatbed to our mechanic the following day. The repairs needed and done were to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe, and we are renting a car meanwhile. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 2, 2024CT

Fuel pump was failed replaced under recall back in 2016. Now again the fuel pump has failed again vehicle stalled. Please have GM repair it again under previous recall remedy. Please see attached photo

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 2022129,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the ignition failure required her to contact roadside assistance to jump start the battery. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact had an independent mechanic diagnose the vehicle and determined that there was an unknown electrical issue. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 10, 202074,500 milesCA

VEHICLE GOES INTO THEFT MODE WHILE DRIVING, LOCKING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR. WINDOWS CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN AND DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. CAR STOPS SHOWING SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, ETC. IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN PARKED.

Power Train
Filed Apr 19, 2020100,000 milesWA

AT ABOUT 100K I NOTICED THE AXLE SEALS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS BUT NOT BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER. WHEN I NOTICED THIS THE CAR WAS ON A LIFT IN THE AIR BEING INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2020VA

I HAVE A CTS AND I'VE GOTTEN IT SERVICE THINKING IT WAS A TUNE UP DO TO IT WAS MISFIRING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS MY CYLINDERS GOTTEN THEN FIXED AND IT HAS DONE THE SAME. DID RESEARCH ON CTS AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THESE CARS. WHAT KIND OF SOLUTION CAN BE MADE TO STOP THESE ISSUES

Engine
Filed Oct 20, 201975,000 milesKY

THE TIMING BELT COVER LEAKING OIL CREATING FIRE HAZARD

Air Bags
Filed Apr 2, 2019CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT *TR

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid
Filed Jan 11, 201947,500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK MANUALLY, IT RAPIDLY CLOSED DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND STATED THAT IT COULD CAUSE INJURIES. DUE TO THE DISTANCE AND THE CONTACT'S HANDICAP, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 15, 20181 milesAP

I GOT THE CAR TOOKEN BUT THEY DONT WANT GAVE IT BACK I DONT NOW THE RESON CAN U GUYS GET IT BK THANK U WITH MY FULL RESPECT GOING OUT TO U N UR WORKERS

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2018TN

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND HE HAD TO PUMP THEM TO BE ABLE TO STOP. UPON REASEARCHING THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER CAME UP. HIS BRAKE LIGHT CAME AND AND UPON INSPECTING THE BRAKE LINES AND CHECKING THE FLUID IT WAS LOW AND THE LINES APPEAR TO BE CORRODED. CADILLAC STATED THERE IS NOT ACTIVE RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 28, 2018OH

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 60 MPH, MY SUNROOF, WHICH WAS CLOSED, FLEW OFF OF MY CAR! NO WARNING. NO REASON TO DO SO. IT JUST FLEW RIGHT OFF. THANKFULLY, NO-ONE WAS HURT AND EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. I WAS DRIVING WEST ON 90 RIGHT BEFORE THE LAGRANGE RD/301 EXIT IN OHIO.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 24, 2018CA

IN BACK SEAT ON LEFT AIRBAG IS REALLY COMING OUT. IM AFRAID IT WILL EXPLODE WHEN I HAVE A CHILD OR FAMILY MEMBER IN THE SEAT. THE AIRBAG SITS RIGHT OVER THE PERSON THAT SITS UNDER IT. I HAPPEN TO NOTICE IT WHEN I WAS HELPING MY ELDER MOTHER OUT OF THE CAR. HELP PLEASE 🙏🏼 WE JUST HOME FROM DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2018CA

ON MAY 18TH, 2018 I PURCHASED A 2004 CADILLAC CTS FROM TOP NOTCH AUTO. THE GAS GAUGE, BRAKES, A/C, BLINKERS DASH BUTTONS ALL WERE NOT WORKING. HE SAID TO BRING IT THE NEXT DAY AND THEY WOULD FIX IT ALL. I RAN OUT OF GAS GETTING THERE THE NEXT DAY DUE TO NOT HAVING A WORKING GAS GAUGE. I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY THERE AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THE COMPUTER (ECM) WENT OUT ON THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND ASKED FOR MY MONEY BACK AND THEY SAID NO BUT WOULD FIX IT AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FIXED BUT I NOTICED THE CAR WENT FROM 176000 MILES TO 101000 MILES (ODOMETER ROLLED BACK). I ASKED ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID IT WAS LEGAL AND NECESSARY TO FIX THE CAR. THE DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 20MPH ON THE ROAD. THE CODES READ PO121, PO23 AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND WIRING THAT WERE BAD. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. I PAID $498 OUT OF POCKET AND ANOTHER 3 DAYS WITHOUT THE CAR. I TOLD HIM THE BRAKES WERE STILL BAD AND THE CAR BARELY STOPS AND PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. ON FRIDAY JUNE 22ND THEY TOLD ME TO COME IN TO GET THE CARS VIN CHECKED OUT FOR MY REGISTRATION AND SO THEY CAN LOOK AT THE BRAKES. THEY SAID THEY BRAKES ARE FINE (THEY ARE NOT) AND HE TOOK MY KEYS AND WOULD NOT RETURN THEM UNTIL I SIGNED DOCUMENTATION SAYING I WOULD NOT COMPLAIN OR TAKE HIM TO COURT. IT IS NOW JULY

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 22, 201875,000 milesFL

WHEN YOU ENGAGE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, THE WIPERS CONTINUE TO RUN AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. AT TIMES THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE WIPERS IS TO PULL THE FUSE. OTHER TIMES, SIMPLY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES ALSO WORKS.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 9, 2018160,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE AIR BAG, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES. PATRIOT AUTO SALES IN CLEVELAND, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 18, 2018110,000 milesSC

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR IS USED BUT EXCELLENT CONDITION AND RECENTLY PURCHASED. I FELT A JOLT GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT AND CAR WILL NOT START, ALL BATTERIES COME ON, EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS

Electrical System
Filed Oct 24, 2017200,000 milesMS

ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017, WHILE DRIVING FROM WORK I HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY TO MY BRAKES. IN THE PROCESS, FROM OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR JUST CUT OFF AND CONTINUE TO CRUISE ALONG. I HAD TO CRUISE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND AT THE SAME TIME MY STERN WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. ONCE I CAME TO A STOP ON SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND TURN MY IGNITION SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION FOR ME, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY.

20 of 224 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201910000Routine
20188200Routine
201727200Routine
201631410Routine
201547320Routine
2014146600Routine
201373200Routine
201265200Routine
2011101230Routine
201067310Routine
2009167503Fatalities reported
2008175230Routine
2007217660Above average
2006269621Fatalities reported
2005277642Fatalities reported
2004 — this page224610Above average
20033134120Above average

Compare every Cts year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 9, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.