10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,552 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #48

May 062021

CTS

  • miles

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

The computer isn-??t telling the alternator to charge the battery so the batteries are being all of the way drained without anything recharging them. Beans new batteries get ruined fast.

- North Salt Lake, UT, USA

problem #47

Mar 082019

CTS

  • 150,000 miles
The car will not start and I have to bypass the ignition with a jumper in the fusebox

- Harrah, OK, USA

problem #46

Nov 012019

CTS

  • 128,900 miles
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

problem #45

Oct 282019

CTS

  • 185,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and the vehicle failed to stop. Also, the key became stuck inside the ignition switch and the contact detected fuel leaking from the vehicle. Furthermore, the "remove key" message was displayed and the door lock and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The contact called winter Chevrolet (3750 century ct, pittsburg, ca 94565, (925) 232-0290) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brakes, key, and battery were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 185,000.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #44

Mar 122019

CTS

  • 157,000 miles
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

problem #43

Feb 022018

CTS

  • 130,000 miles
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. Now I have no car and no money to get another car.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #42

Jul 042017

CTS

  • miles

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

Car shuts down while driving on freeway/and city leaving me to have to put it in neutral to start back up. While car is rolling.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #41

Mar 312016

CTS

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owned a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving out of the parking lot, the vehicle stalled and abruptly shut down. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #40

Sep 252016

CTS

  • miles
I saw a blue spake when I had gotten out of my car and left the door open. The spark was located on the inside of the drivers side door. I got back in my car. It showed that the drivers door was ajar. I reshot the door it still showed the door was ajar. I pressed the clear bottom the car seemed smoky I tried to roll down the window but my windows was not working nor was the radio. I drove a mile to my home and parked away from the house. I rushed to get everything out of the car. The trunk would not open so I let the back seat down so I could reach my things. The car continued to smoke and ended in a full blaze. We called 911 and the fire truck came and put out the fire.

- Newport, TN, USA

problem #39

Jul 272015

CTS

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While the vehicle was stationary, the air conditioner stopped working. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the ECM replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 144,000.

- Claymont, DE, USA

problem #38

May 022016

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2003 Cadillac Cts. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle starts up and drives for a while then shuts down without warning. The consumer also stated the idler arms and crank sensors were replaced.

- Mardela Springs, MD, USA

problem #37

Dec 132015

CTS

  • 51,000 miles
Car shutdown during driving. This has happened 2 times since I bought it used in December 2015

- Jacksboro, TN, USA

problem #36

Jun 012015

CTS

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that the repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system) was performed; however, the repair did not remedy the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times while driving and that the 'remove disable key' warning light illuminated. The vehicle could be restarted and resumed to normal function. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Harvey , LA, USA

problem #35

Apr 282014

CTS

  • 50,000 miles
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

problem #34

Jun 052015

CTS

  • 67,000 miles
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

problem #33

May 282014

CTS

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The vehicle was serviced six months ago under NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system) however, the remedy failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #32

Oct 202014

CTS

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. Since the contact has owned the vehicle, there was an intermittent short pertaining to the connection of the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was to be further inspected and diagnosed to determine if there was an electrical malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #31

Nov 152014

CTS

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that the key was difficult to insert, remove, and turn to start the ignition. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system) and was repaired, but the failure recurred and worsened. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. The contact was not able to turn the key to restart and drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the authorized dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #30

Dec 012014

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Cadillac Cts consumer having computer problems with the keys and can't get in the car or trunk. The dealer informed the consumer, they would put him on a list, as the parts were not available for the ignition recall.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #29

Mar 012014

CTS

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the engine stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle pushing it off the road. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries that required medical attention and the other driver sustained hip injuries that also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V394000 (electrical system). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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