MYRModel Year Report

2003 Cadillac CTS

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Cadillac CTS
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
313
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 313 complaints 2003 313 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints
2003: 313 complaints 2003 313 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019
2003: 313 complaints 2003 313 2004: 224 complaints 2004 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2010 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2014 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2016 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2019

2003: 313 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003313
2004224
2005277
2006269
2007217
2008175
2009167
201067
2011101
201265
201373
2014145
201547
201631
201727
20188
201910

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

18% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2003 Cadillac CTS caught on fire. Fireman said that it was the windshield wiper module that caught on fire. The car was parked for hours and fire started while we was sleeping. The whole engine is burnt up and the car is totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-04

Also filed under Structure and visibility/wiper

Service brakes

16% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car fail to stop on the interstate i-80 caused a crash . With alot injury on my body .

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-07

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

FIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

12% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and tail lights.

CRASH

Air bags

12% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer stopped at a red light, when the light turned green he proceeded and began to skid on unseen ice and hit a utility pole. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-27

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 313 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-03-20Steering03V115000 Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt may be loose.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the intermediate steering shaft bolt and ensure that it is tightened to the proper specification. Owner notification began March 20, 2003. Owners who…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-08-20Equipment03V250000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-05-04Service brakes, hydraulic10V105000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-09-15Electrical system14V394000 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.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V115000 · Steering
  • Recall 03V250000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V105000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V394000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Cadillac CTS is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.