2004 Cadillac CTS Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 17%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Cadillac CTS, 17% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My braking power assist fails occasionally when I am making a hard turn (as when parking), either right or left , but recovers when I straighten out my steering wheel. This began after I replaced my front wheel rotors and brake pads at around120,000 miles. My power assist unit failed completely around 138.000 miles, so I had it and my master brake unit replaced. I continue to experience the same braking problem as before.”
NHTSA complaint #10992292, filed 2017-05, 139,650 miles“Pulling out from my driveway in slow speed about 3 MPH on reverse turning steering wheel left my radio show message service brake assistance . Same time I lost the brake, traction control and ABS light come on on the dashboard. Lucky this was low speed so car stops on my neighbor trash can. I don't want to think what will happen if the other car will drive by or someone will walk by. I am scare to drive now.”
NHTSA complaint #10764434, filed 2015-09, 135,375 miles“Brake failure in Cadillac CTS I have a large amount of information in a pdf that explains our experience as well as documents multiple similar experiences from other individuals. How do I send it to you? The brakes are intermittently completely failing at slow speeds and significant injury to a pedestrian seems inevitable. Please help!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10352482, filed 2010-08, 75,000 miles“My Cadillac '04 CTS has a brake issue. When turning sharp at low speeds the brakes disengage and I lose complete control of the car. It is intermittent and I can't duplicate it at will. It just happens. I have filed a case with GM customer service and am taking to the dealer tomorrow.”
NHTSA complaint #10361668, filed 2010-10, 76,000 miles“When turning at a low rate of speed the breaking system completely fails. This nearly caused my entire family to end up in the middle of a very busy highway. Thankfully we were traveling slow and the emergency break worked. We immediately got home and checked fluid as was well. Reading through online complaints there are many people complaining of the exact same thing. I am truly worried this could get someone killed. At the time the breaks failed they stuttered a bit and the break light on the dash came on as well as a tone or alert in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10862443, filed 2016-05, 110,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V105000Mar 17, 2010General motors has notified nhtsa of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2003–2007
Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10168960Nov 12, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 18% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 7 | 10% |
| 2012 | 9 | 14% |
| 2011 | 6 | 6% |
| 2010 | 6 | 9% |
| 2009 | 14 | 8% |
| 2008 | 22 | 13% |
| 2007 | 59 | 27% |
| 2006 | 57 | 21% |
| 2005 | 34 | 12% |
| 2004 | 38 | 17% |
| 2003 | 47 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2004 Cadillac CTS
52 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsWheels
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Cadillac CTS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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