RecallRepo

2003 Cadillac Cts Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Cadillac Cts has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,449,119 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 450 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V394000 2014-07-02 554,328 affected
Defect

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014…

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10V105000 2010-03-17 139,131 affected
Defect

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, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA,…

Consequence

THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

EQUIPMENT 03V250000 2003-07-15 1,707,825 affected
Defect

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT…

STEERING 03V115000 2003-03-24 47,835 affected
Defect

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT COULD LOOSEN, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING SHAFTS CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT AND ENSURE THAT IT IS TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A…

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
48
4crashes4fires4injuries
AIR BAGS
30
12crashes10injuries
ENGINE
29
1crashes3fires1injuries
STEERING
22
2crashes1fires2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
21
1crashes2fires1injuries
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
20
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
19
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
19
3crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
15
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
12
Total complaints450

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2021-05-06

“Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is lots of air coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-11-14

“Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is lots of air coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-11-14

“Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is lots of air coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new…”

STEERING · reported 2020-11-14

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-07-05

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:HILL START ASSIST:CLUTCH SOLENOID · reported 2020-07-05

“There is a open recall effecting this year & make although my vin says there's no recalls on my cts. I had both front brake hose assemblies fail while driving. Luckily we didn't wreck. I've since had both repaired. Curious as to know why car was not listed with open recall.”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-07-02

“Tl* 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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-11-01
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Cadillac Cts as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.