2004 Cadillac CTS: common problems and reliability

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 transmission problems — includes shuddering, slipping, delayed engagement, and complete failure. affects the 8-speed automatic (8l45/8l90) in later models and older automatics in earlier models. very frequent.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

229
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
26
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Cadillac CTS vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
52
service brakes
44
electrical system
35
air bags
26
suspension
18

Recalls affecting the 2004 CTS

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 14V542000

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, 20…

electrical system:ignition

Campaign 14V394000

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 a…

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 10V105000

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, MASSACHUS…

air bags

Campaign 05V024000

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 IG…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and specific powertrain. The third-generation CTS (2014-2019) and its high-performance variants (CTS-V, V-Sport) receive significant praise for their handling dynamics, competitive performance, and value p

  • Transmission problems — Includes shuddering, slipping, delayed engagement, and complete failure. Affects the 8-speed automatic (8L45/8L90) in later models and older automatics in earlier models. Very frequent.
  • Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system failures — Screen delamination, unresponsive touchscreen, phantom touches, and complete failure requiring costly replacement. Very frequent.
  • Electrical system issues — Battery drain problems, faulty sensors, malfunctioning modules (TCM, ECM communication loss), anti-theft system malfunctions, and accessory failures (heated/cooled seats, steering wheel buttons). Very frequent.
  • Engine issues — Oil consumption/burning, timing chain problems (early 3.6L engines), misfires, rough idle, and coolant temperature sensor failures. Recurrent.
  • Suspension and driveline problems — Rear air suspension failure (sagging), leaking differential seals, failing wheel bearings, and driveshaft support bearing failure. Recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the CTS.

Typical used price

Used CTS listings typically run $10,979–$17,080 across 2008 to 2019 model years.

Other CTS model years

2016 CTS2014 CTS2011 CTS2010 CTS2008 CTS2003 CTS
Full Cadillac CTS owner reportCompare against another car