2004 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Cadillac Cts: 6 recalls, 224 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #03V346000 · 2003 · 6,771 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 207, "seating systems." one or both front anchor tabs for the front bucket seats are not engaged in the floor pan reinforcement slots. A seat with only one tab engaged or neither engaged would not meet the static rearward loading test requirements of the standard.
Why it matters: In some crash conditions, the seat could pivot rearward and its occupant or a rear seat occupant could be injured more severely.
The fix: Dealers will ensure that both front anchor tabs are fully seated in the floor pan reinforcement slots. Owner notification began September 19, 2003. Owners should contact gm at 1-800-458-8006.
Steering Vehicle recall #04V273000 · 2004 · 41,928 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers May fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
Why it matters: If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the…
Airbags Vehicle recall #05V024000 · 2005 · 87,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, an interaction between the sensing and diagnostic module and vehicle's electrical system May cause the driver's frontal air bag and/or roof-mounted side impact air bag to deploy when the ignition key is turned to the "on" position.
Why it matters: A person positioned for driving May receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.
The fix: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2005.
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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #14V542000 · 2014 · 10,005 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module May overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Why it matters: If the flange melts, a hole May be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. Gm sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (14), leaks (9), hard / delayed shifting (4).
- Electrical (34): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), door / lock issues (6), warning light on (6).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are fails to deploy (12), warning light on (5).
- Brakes (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), brake failure / soft pedal (5).
The 2004 Cadillac Cts has 224 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (1.7× the average Cts year). Complaints peaked in 2006 (29 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (313 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (277 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 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
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 2004 Cadillac Cts.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2004 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 2004 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 224 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (52), electrical (34), airbags (26).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.2 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 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.