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#BS-2003-CADCTS-65762003 Cadillac Cts
Based on reports from 450 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 450 complaints, 46 crashes, 19 fires, and 4 recalls. Complaint rate is 1.8x the class average.
Top reported problems
rear bezel cover fell off
14 complaints • Severity 7/10
excessive tire wear
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
engine failure
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
48 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 72K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (82 reports) • Median: 72K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (48 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2003 Cadillac Cts: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2003 Cadillac Cts, with 48 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 72,300 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 72K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2003 Cadillac Cts, with 44 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2003 Cadillac Cts, with 33 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2003 Cadillac Cts, with 30 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2003 Cadillac Cts. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
STEERING
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
CERTAIN 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Cadillac Cts is the 2009 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2003 Cadillac Cts vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
450
Class avg
250
1.8x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 450 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Cadillac Cts Model Years
View all Cadillac Cts years →2003 Cadillac Cts: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Cadillac Cts?
Is the 2003 Cadillac Cts reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2003 Cadillac Cts problems?
Does the 2003 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
What mileage do Cadillac Cts problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2003 Cadillac Cts Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 450 owner reports. Know before you buy.