10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,620 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Cadillac CTS body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 022012

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving home from work I heard a slight crash noise, looked in my rear view mirror to see the bezel piece flew off my car and attached were the back up lights. The piece shattered and was irreplaceable. Upon research in Cadillac blogs I read that this was an ongoing problem with 03-05 Cts cars due to GM using a cheap glue to hold the piece on. Cadillac only agreed to replace the part if the car was still covered under their factory warranty, but I am not. Further research showed that they don't even offer athe same replacement piece, now a new part only available in an assembly kit ranging between 4-500 dollars. I find it unethical to sell a luxury car, and build it with cheap plastic pieces that simply fall off due to cheap adhesive, and cause danger to drivers behind me. The fact that the part was discontinued only proves that Cadillac acknowledges the piece was cheaply constructed, and should offer replacements to all early Cts models. When assembling automobile only quality parts should be used, not cheap plastic with faulty glue, I feel this warrants a recall, but one wasn't issued. Thanks for your time.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #7

Aug 222010

CTS

  • 50,556 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving approximately 60 to 70 mph, the rear license plate cover fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the rear light module was replaced with a new, improved module. The back up lamps and the rear finish panel was also replaced with a safer panel. The manufacturer advised that the failure was not considered a safety hazard and would not provide any assistance. The contact believed the failure to be a manufacturing defect. The failure mileage was 50,556 and the current mileage was 50,700.

- Midlothian , VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 012002

CTS

  • 5,007 miles
Third brake light improperly seal allowing water to leak into mechanism and burn out led bulbs.

- Elmont, NY, USA

problem #5

Mar 202008

CTS 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Design flaw? plastic valve cover failure. Oil leaking on engine.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 172002

CTS 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400 miles
Dashboard went out intermittently. Consumer took vehicle to dealer and repairs were made. However, the problem kept coming back. On one occasion the consumer had to have the vehicle towed for uncontrolled acceleration. Dashboard problems and vehicle has died 3 times. Enclosed here with the customer claim form for details and the towed truck report and service documents from car dealer.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

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problem #3

Feb 152005

CTS 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Cadillac Cts 2003 replaced car side panel. The consumer noticed there was a foam insulation absorbent material injected in the rocker within the inner and outer pan. The consumer state the material used was found to highly flammable.

- Culver City, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 172003

(reported on)

CTS

  • miles
Design problem with instrument panel, gauges are hard to see. The instrument panel is black, and on a bright clear day it would become difficult to see the speedometer, odometer, and the gas gauge. The problem was especially dangerous when driven on super highways, attempting to set the cruise control, monitor speed when the speed has changed going through different speed zones.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 302002

(reported on)

CTS

  • miles
There was a burning smell on the drivers side. The dealer informed consumer that it was some plastic part that was loose and melting.

- Durham, NC, USA

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