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2003 Cadillac CTS: common problems and reliability
One of the worst CTS years.
One of the Cadillac CTS years to avoid. All CTS years
321 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 CTS?The 2003 Cadillac CTS has 321 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Cadillac CTS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CTS years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the CTS?
Across the 17 CTS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 334 (2009). With 321 complaints, the 2003 CTS sits above the model's median of 108.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 CTS
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V394000This 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 10V105000GENERAL 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.
equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Campaign 03V250000CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
steering
Campaign 03V115000SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and specific powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CTS. See the full CTS owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used CTS listings typically run $11,549–$18,393 across 2008 to 2019 model years.
Other CTS model years
Compare every CTS year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CTS against its rivals
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