2003 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Cadillac Cts: 4 recalls, 313 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #03V115000 · 2003 · 47,835 vehicles
What's wrong: Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt May be loose.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V250000 · 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: 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…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V105000 · 2010 · 139,131 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. Some of these vehicles have a…
Why it matters: The brake hose-tube interface May rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance May occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V394000 · 2014 · 554,328 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac cts vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 21 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (56): the most common themes are electrical failure (30), stalls / loses power (26), warning light on (11).
- Engine & cooling (38): the most common themes are leaks (19), stalls / loses power (13), electrical failure (8).
- Exterior lights (37): the most common themes are warning light on (4), noise or vibration (3), electrical failure (3).
- Airbags (36): the most common themes are fails to deploy (9).
The 2003 Cadillac Cts has 313 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (2.4× the average Cts year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (42 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 72,300 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (224 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Cadillac Cts.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Cadillac Cts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 313 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (56), engine & cooling (38), exterior lights (37).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.2 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Cadillac Cts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.