10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 82,356 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the vehicle would suddenly stalled and the instrument panel would illuminate. The message stating "starting disabled remove key" would display. The contact stated that they would be able to coast and restart the vehicle. Other times the contact would have to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,900.
- Hallandale, FL, USA
I bought this car for my son that go to college at san jose state university, his been using this car since 2015 till 2019. Recenty about a month ago his complaining the car has been overheating for no reasons, he says that the gauge goes all the way up everytime he drive it but its ok if the car engine is running but in park mode. We ended up got the car towed to merced. Since July of 2019, the car is the garage and never drive. We only start the car mostly to warp up the engine but not drive. We have a friend mechanic look at it and can't point out the right problem, a lot of assumption possible the thermostat, or radiator, water pump, or the fan, etc.
- Merced, CA, USA
At about approximately 4:22 am this morning my car was engulfed in flames in my driveway. I was awakened by my Cadillac Cts 2003 car alarm as the flames we're visible thru my bedroom window. At which time I ran outside to turn on the water hose to turn off the fire as my family was sleeping in the house. My husband's car was right next to my cadi that had a full tank of fuel. I called 911 and the fire department arrived to turn off the fire on the Cadillac Cts 2003. And for more than ten minutes the fire was still blazing as the firemen unable to control the flames. My car is gone as it burned down. Please help me to understand why this happened. I only carried liability as this was all I could afford. I thank the lord that even when we were in harm's way, he jehovah god protected us. All the glory to jesus christ that their was no lost of life. Material things can be replaced. I am grateful to god for his mercy and grace. He has total control and I know that he was with us. I was not aware that these cars have a history of catching on fire. I am glad that we were not on the road when this happened. My mother suffered a stroke and this could of been more detrimental but god did not permit the hand of the enemy to touch us physically, halelujah to the lamb of god! I am blessed to be a child of god! I know that he will give us justice because he does not forsake his children and he is a god that does not lie. He is god emanuel! he is my shalom!
- San Benito, TX, USA
I was driving downhill on dallas rd in West richland, wa I started to apply brakes to turn into quail springs apartment complex, idk whether it was due to the road or the way I hit the brakes but it moved my key out of the run position causing the engine to turn off, I was slowing down progressively from 55 miles an hour and heard something that sounded like my engine had fallen apart. After getting it stopped I popped the hood and noticed damage to my tensioner pulley it had came off and my serpentine belt had shredded, I called and got it towed to the nearest place I could to get it looked at. When replacing the serpentine belt they said it'd be good to check the timing belt as well just in case. Upon checking it they noticed pieces of serpentine belt had gotten inside of there somehow causing the timing belt damage. With this type of engine if timing belt gets ruined 98% valves and pistons kiss which causes bent valves on the head. I was told the car would not run anymore unless I put a brandnew engine in and they wanted to charge me 6000 for that, I looked up a used engine on ebay for 650 they still wanted 3000, I don't have that kind of money sitting around and have been suffering without my vehicle since this happened. I've missed work and am lucky me or child weren't hurt during this situation. I called the local Cadillac dealership this morning and explained what happened the guy I spoke with was very rude and told me theres nothing the could do to help me, I asked about the recall again and he said I need to call corporate I dialed the number he gave me and didn't get thru to anybody. Lucky I looked up the number myself explained the situation to them they gave me a case # and said I'd be contacted within 1to 2 business days by a senior advisor. Bottom line is I'm still stuck without a working vehicle due to this recall.
- Kennewick, WA, USA
The crank and cam sensors have caused the vehicle to stall out while driving or being stopped. I have seen several complaints online regarding this issue in my car and other GM cars. How many complaints have you received for this issue in GM cars. It seems the dealership should have recalled this since it is a well known and documented issue and is a safety issue with cars stalling in the middle of driving and while being stopped. I stalled on a freeway on ramp, at a stop sign and while being parked on the side of the road.
- Northridge, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact left the vehicle at the dealer overnight for an oil change. The contact received a call from the dealer that, due to a stripped screw in the oil pan, the oil change could not be performed. The contact observed a large amount of oil under the front of the vehicle when it was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- Essex, MD, USA
Purchased car from dealership in Oct 2015. While driving, I begin to smell burning oil and noticed oil leak under vehicle on left side. Took it to a mechanic to see where leak is coming from and he stated that valve cover gasket is leaking oil out as well as oil is present in the spark plug reservoirs. Will have to get gaskets replaced before further damage is caused. This seems to be a common problem with this model vehicle and I recently saw on news where GM recalled other models and years of vehicle with same issue. Why wasn't this model Cadillac included in the recall when is should have?
- Newark, DE, USA
The contact owned a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact turned sharply to avoid an animal. The engine stalled, but the vehicle continued to coast and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact was launched through the windshield. The contact sustained lower back, neck, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system); however, the failure was already experienced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
- Holly Hill, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle had to cool down completely before the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
- Racine, WI, USA
My car just shut off in the middle of exceleration.........this happen to me 2X... once to oncoming traffic!!! and the other just before a blue line train...dealership takes this very lightly.I guess someone has to die first..it is in the shop right now. I have so many issues that I don't think I should be having or had when new too..I also noticed that where my airbag on my steering wheel.is looks like it is separating...not sure but it is not flush....I'm afraid to ask about that since all it does is cost me$$$$$$$ also I had brakes fixed that weren't that bad because of noise but the noise is still there not all the time but more frequent and it sounds like its from some part of clutch part not the brakes..... new brakes didn't fix anything.. I am fixing this car more than what I am writing about. The 1st month I bought it I had to return for a bolt was coming loose on my steering column...found out it was a recall. I need to talk to someone for work that was done to my car that later I found was not my work order or my VIN #. or my mileage... after I paid for half the work since my car wasn't brought in for any of that stuff.. only a stability light to be checked... which after 11months when I took it back again... found that was never taken care of.. thats why it would come off and on... I was just tired of being taken... thats how I felt.. being that I am a women........
- Long Beach, CA, USA
Leaking valve cover gaskets resulting in oil on coils, oxygen sensor and risk for oil related fires. The smell of burning oil is prevalent because of oil on hot engine parts. A review of various internet forums shows this is a common problem on this make/model. A consensus opinion appears to be the valve cover gaskets were made from inferior materials. Since this is a fire safety issue and/or a result of the manufacturer's negligence, this car should be recalled.
- Panama City, FL, USA
The PCV valve system design is defective. On (4) occasions the pressure build-up causing massive oil leaks at the valve cover. I experienced smoke from the engine compartment as oil leaked onto a hot engine. A potential engine fire. It took years for the Cadillac dealers to correct the problem. This is a extreme cold weather issue. The automobile was in Arizona for a few years and the issue was not a problem but once returned to Michigan, the problem got serious. I have all of my repair documents. This car should has been recalled. It is not safe to drive. I was lucky as I was near dealers when this occurred.
- Northville, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving approximately 70 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the engine stalled. The driver side door latch became inoperable, and the brake, check engine, and traction control indicators illuminated. The contact waited for a few minutes and the vehicle restarted. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failures could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
- Methuen, MA, USA
I have had my car stop running several times during the time I have owned it... it has always been at a stop light. The car just shuts off. I have to restart it again. It does it on occasion, sometimes months apart. I am just hoping that it will never shut off like that while driving down the highway.
- Miamisburg, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that there was an internal leak in the engine and the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
- Gary, IN, USA
My Cts have been in the shop numerous time for smoke and the smell of oil burning coming from the engine compartment.after years of taking my vehicle to the dealership and having parts replace the problem still occur.
- Columbia, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving 50 mph, the traction control indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after six minutes, but it shook and idled roughly. The failure occurred twenty times. The dealer stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 145,197.
- Wayland, MI, USA
While driving turning left onto an expressway entrance my engine shut down I believe it was the ignition switch. I've taken the vehicle to the dealer numerous times and they can't seem to find a solution. I am in fear that one day this car will lose power at the wrong time and cause a serious if not fatal accident. I would like the problem fixed or a reimbursement to invest in a new vehicle before it is too late.
- Rochester, NY, USA
- Twentynin Plms, CA, USA