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Cadillac CTS 2003

The 2003 Cadillac CTS has a 3.2 L engine. It gets 19 MPG combined (16 city, 24 highway), per the EPA. 4 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Midsize Cars Rear-wheel (RWD)
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Cadillac CTS
Representative photo of the CTS. It may show a different year or version. Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,200 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 5 speeds
DrivetrainRear-wheel (RWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,830 × 1,790 × 1,440 mm (190.2 × 70.5 × 56.7 in)
Wheelbase2,890 mm (113.8 in)
Curb weight1,620 kg (3,571 lb)
Body styleMidsize Cars

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Cadillac CTS 4-DR. w/SAB
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
16 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Emissions
291 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

4 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION 14V394000 · 2014-07-02 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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 10V105000 · 2010-03-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

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 03V250000 · 2003-07-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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 03V115000 · 2003-03-24 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE Fire 2023-04-09 · NHTSA

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 …

ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2022-07-05 · NHTSA

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2021-06-25 · NHTSA

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.

AIR BAGS 2020-09-17 · NHTSA

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.

SERVICE BRAKES 2020-07-16 · NHTSA

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2020-03-20 · NHTSA

THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO BYPASS THE IGNITION WITH A JUMPER IN THE FUSEBOX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2019-12-18 · NHTSA

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 WAS 128,900.

SERVICE BRAKES 2019-11-06 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CHECK BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), WHIC…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-10-28 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WA…

ENGINE 2019-08-19 · NHTSA

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON THAT GO TO COLLEGE AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, HIS BEEN USING THIS CAR SINCE 2015 TILL 2019. RECENTY ABOUT A MONTH AGO HIS COMPLAINING THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR NO REASONS, HE SAYS THAT THE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY UP EVERYTIME HE DRIVE IT BUT ITS OK IF THE CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT…

POWER TRAIN 2019-04-29 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND THE GEARS SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MARTIN BUICK GMC (12101 W OLYMPIC BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90064, (310) 622-9334) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICL…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE Fire 2019-03-12 · NHTSA

AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 4:22 AM THIS MORNING MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS AWAKENED BY MY CADILLAC CTS 2003 CAR ALARM AS THE FLAMES WE'RE VISIBLE THRU MY BEDROOM WINDOW. AT WHICH TIME I RAN OUTSIDE TO TURN ON THE WATER HOSE TO TURN OFF THE FIRE AS MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING IN THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND'S …

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?
The 2003 Cadillac CTS has a 3.2 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
It gets 19 MPG combined (16 city, 24 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
4 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Electrical System (2014-07-02).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Air Bags.

Other years

Other models by Cadillac

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