MYRModel Year Report

2004 Cadillac CTS

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Cadillac CTS
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
224
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 313 complaints 2004: 224 complaints 2004 224 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 2004: 224 complaints 2004 224 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 2004: 224 complaints 2004 224 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

2004: 224 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.

Power train

25% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing differential unit and driveline.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

18% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

As I make sharp turns while on my brakes, my car makes a noise near the tire area and does not stop and then ABS indicator and the traction control indicator lights come on. It usually occurs when I am trying to turn into spaces going 1-2 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-10

Electrical system

15% · 34 reports
INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car was in motion on the interstate. The car is used but excellent condition and recently purchased. I felt a jolt got off the next exit and car will not start, all batteries come on, everything else…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-18

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and exterior lighting

Air bags

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2004 Cadillac CTS was hit from behind, causing me injuries and eventually surgery and disability. The air bag did not deploy- my head hit the steering wheel, rather hard. I traded this vehicle in last year. Should the air bag have deployed?

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-25

The consumer was parking the vehicle when the gas pedal became stuck causing the consumer to crash into a building head on. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained injuries and was hospitalized.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-13

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Severe side impact, both driver side doors and center pillar crushed. Side air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-12

Structure

8% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing body and trunk lid.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the trunk cylinders failed to hold the trunk open. The failure occurred on multiple occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-19

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2003-09-19Seats03V346000 Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating systems." One or both front anchor tabs for the front…

    Remedy: Dealers will ensure that both front anchor tabs are fully seated in the floor pan reinforcement slots. Owner notification began September 19, 2003. Owners should contact GM at 1-800-458-8006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 224 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2004-08-25Steering04V273000 On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2005-05-20Air bags05V024000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2005. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2007-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-12-27 Failure of the rear differential
  6. I
    2007-12-07Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-16 Rear drivetrain component failure
  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. R
    2015-03-12Fuel system, gasoline14V542000 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, 2007.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V346000 · Seats
  • Recall 04V273000 · Steering
  • Recall 05V024000 · Air bags
  • Recall 10V105000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V394000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V542000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Cadillac CTS is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac CTS?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
6 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.