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2004 Cadillac CTS: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the worst CTS years.
One of the Cadillac CTS years to avoid. All CTS years
229 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 CTS?The 2004 Cadillac CTS has 229 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and service brakes. Owners most often flag oil consumption, with owners advised to check the dipstick every few weeks.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Cadillac CTS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CTS years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the CTS?
Across the 17 CTS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 334 (2009). With 229 complaints, the 2004 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 2004 CTS
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 14V542000General 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.
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.
air bags
Campaign 05V024000ON 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.
Show 2 more recalls
seats
Campaign 03V346000CERTAIN 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.
steering:linkages
Campaign 04V273000ON 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation CTS
Owners of the 2003-2007 CTS generally describe it as a good-looking, enjoyable daily driver that can rack up serious mileage with disciplined maintenance, with several owners reporting 200k+ miles and one reporting 317k.
- Very frequentOil consumption, with owners advised to check the dipstick every few weeks
- RecurrentTiming chain failure risk on the 3.6
Linked to a clogged oil feed line, with one owner reporting engine replacement at 95k.
- RecurrentIgnition coil failure causing misfire, ticking, and smoke, with intake removal needed on one side
- RecurrentRadiator failure at the plastic transmission cooler line flange
Causing coolant and transmission fluid to mix and the transmission to drain.
- RecurrentHeadlight housing cost and clouding
With factory HID replacements described as unreasonably expensive.
Owner insights for the 1st generation CTS. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
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 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CTS against its rivals
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