Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Cadillac CTS recalls
Electrical system: ignition
NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 554,328 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
- The risk
- 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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 10V105000 · reported March 17, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 139,131 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 condition in which the front brake hose fitting at the caliper may corrode due to snow or water, containing road salt or other contaminants, entering and being retained in the routing sleeve. If the fitting corrodes significantly, the brake hose-tube interface may develop a leak.
- The risk
- 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. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual
NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · reported July 15, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,707,825 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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 buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Steering
NHTSA campaign 03V115000 · reported March 24, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 47,835 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt may be loose.
- The risk
- 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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Apr 9, 2023 · Service brakes · fire reported
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 coolant box or another…
Jul 5, 2022 · Engine · 121,000 miles
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 restart the vehicle. Other…
Jun 25, 2021 · Electrical system
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.
Sep 17, 2020 · Air bags
THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE SINCE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Jul 16, 2020 · Service brakes · 83,000 miles
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.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 9, 2023.