What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac CTS?

The engine group has the most complaints at 67, followed by electrical at 56 and brakes at 47.

Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes, there are recalls on file for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Owners filed complaints about many parts, led by the engine and electrical groups. These are unverified reports, so weigh them with the recall list and a pre-purchase inspection.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac CTS get?

See the fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

2003 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA has 313 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 313 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Cadillac CTS^[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 67 complaints^[2].

313owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

19MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across many parts of the car. These groups come up most.

Engine. 67 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe coolant that keeps disappearing, fluid leaking near the oil cooler, hard starting that takes a few tries, and the car shutting off while driving.
Electrical System. 56 complaints^[5]. Owners describe dead batteries, flickering dash lights, odd warning messages, and headlights or gauges that work on and off.
Brakes. 47 complaints^[6]. Owners describe pads and rotors wearing out early, a pedal that sank with no warning, and a parked car that rolled even with the parking brake set.
Exterior Lighting. 37 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a dark band across the road ahead of the low beams, which they say hides signs and shortens what they can see at night.
Air Bags. 36 complaints^[8]. This group has the most crashes and injuries of any group listed, 16 of each^[8].
Steering. 28 complaints^[9].
Power Train. 25 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 24 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2003 CTS is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V394), July 2014. About 554,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (10V105), March 2010. About 139,131 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (03V250), July 2003. About 1,707,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[14]
Steering (03V115), March 2003. About 47,835 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
CTS, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 24 / 19	$4,350
CTS, 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	17 / 24 / 19	$4,350

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[17].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
CTS Deluxe/Sport^[18]	190 in	70 in	57 in	114 in	3,571 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2003 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	313	4
2004	229	7
2005	284	7
2006	272	7
2007	218	7
2008	175	2
2009	167	5
2010	68	3
2011	108	2
2012	67	2
2013	73	2
2014	146	7
2015	50	4
2016	31	4
2017	27	2
2018	8	2
2019	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the CTS show 313 complaints and 4 recalls for 2003^[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2003 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (8) and the most are for 2003 (313)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2003 CTS?

The 2003 CTS has a long complaint history, and the engine, electrical and brake groups lead it^[2]^[5]^[6]. Some reports involve crashes or fires, with 29 crashes and 12 fires mentioned overall, and NHTSA reports 0 deaths^[1]. There are also recalls on record, listed in the Recalls section^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. If you are shopping for one, check the engine cooling system, the battery and the brakes closely.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac CTS?: The engine group has the most complaints at 67, followed by electrical at 56 and brakes at 47^[2]^[5]^[6].
Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have recalls?: Yes, there are recalls on file for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?: NHTSA has 313 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?: Owners filed complaints about many parts, led by the engine and electrical groups^[2]^[5]. These are unverified reports, so weigh them with the recall list and a pre-purchase inspection.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac CTS get?: See the fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Cadillac CTS

2003 this page
2004 229 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 284 complaints, 7 recalls
2006 272 complaints, 7 recalls
2007 218 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 175 complaints, 2 recalls
2009 167 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 68 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 108 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 67 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 73 complaints, 2 recalls
2014 146 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 50 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 31 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Cadillac CTS

All Cadillac models

Similar cars from 2003: midsize cars

2003 Acura TL 391 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 Mercury Sable 201 complaints, 3 recalls
2003 Mitsubishi Galant 126 complaints, 2 recalls
2003 Nissan Maxima 206 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 313 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Cadillac CTS (29 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
67 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,289). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
56 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,100). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,782). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the air bags component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,500). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,500). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V105, filed March 17, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V250, filed July 15, 2003: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V115, filed March 24, 2003: Steering. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS Deluxe/Sport: length 190 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,571 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2003 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and fuel economy