2004 Cadillac CTS
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 313 |
| 2004 | 224 |
| 2005 | 277 |
| 2006 | 269 |
| 2007 | 217 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 167 |
| 2010 | 67 |
| 2011 | 101 |
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 72 |
| 2014 | 144 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
15% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow 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 WORKS
NHTSA ODI report, 20180218
14% of complaints: power train — 32 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: service brakes — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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, 20140910
8% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20121025
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. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20040713
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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 BUC
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.
Campaign 03V346000 — check if this car was fixed
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 LOOSE
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. IF
Campaign 04V273000 — check if this car was fixed
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 T
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.
Campaign 05V024000 — check if this car was fixed
FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
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,
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 AT
Campaign 10V105000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V394000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V542000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V346000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V273000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V105000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V394000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 electrical system, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.