2003 Cadillac CTS Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 313 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 3% of the 313 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I've had numerous problems ever since I bought my 2003 Cadillac CTS. My engine starts smoking under the hood when I turn on my heater when it's cold outside. I replaced my brake lights several times. My windshield wiper module is broke. I had to get a new motor for my window because that broke. I had nothing but problems with this car and many other people have the same conditions as me. Why isn't it on recall ??? I mean we paid good money for it so we should get the same quality back !!! I know GM has to review our comments. They just don't care about there customers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10373347, filed 2010-12, 68,782 miles“Brakes pulsate when they are being applied, causing delay in stopping time. Air conditioning compressor is gone out and has metal going through the system. Have to get compressor replaced already and it is going to cost an additional $2300. Car pulls violently to left or right, which almost caused a couple of accidents, the steering system sensor is gone out and is going to cost $500 to get replaced. Fm radio has a mind of its own and works when it feels like working. This is the newest car I've had and the worst car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10164890, filed 2006-08, 51,000 miles“2003 Cadillac and in the first week the air compressor burned out. Took it to the dealer to get fixed and they said they fixed but when I went to run the air all it was doing was blowing out hot air. Took it back to the dealer and they told me that the car was blowing out 55 degree air. Yes at night the air blows out cool air but when I am in 100 degree weather the air that is blown out is hot. Took it to the dealer a total of 5 times and they tell me the same thing. To this day it don't work until nighttime. Some good that does me.”
NHTSA complaint #10130746, filed 2005-08“The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. While the vehicle was stationary, the air conditioner stopped working. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the ECM replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 144,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10888335, filed 2016-07, 144,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. When the contact opened the vehicle doors with the key fob, the headlights and overhead lights illuminated extremely bright and then dimmed. In addition, the contact stated that the navigation system failed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a legal issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10872979, filed 2016-06, 49,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V250000Jul 15, 2003Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2003, Pontiac Aztek 2001–2003, Montana 2001, 2003 +10 more
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Equipment: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Cadillac CTS
56 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsExterior lighting
37 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Cadillac CTS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology