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2003 CADILLAC CTS

4 recalls Risk Grade: C+ Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #10V105000 Plain English
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
Your vehicle's brake system has a problem with the brake hose fittings that can corrode due to road salt and water, potentially causing a brake leak.
Risk if Unfixed
If the fitting corrodes, your brakes might fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash and making it harder to stop your vehicle.
Free Fix
You should have the front brake hose assemblies replaced for free by taking your vehicle to a dealership. This will be done at no cost to you, starting in May 2010.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #03V115000 Plain English
Component

STEERING

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
Your vehicle may have a loose bolt in the steering shaft, which could cause problems with the steering.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolt comes loose, it could cause the steering to fail while driving, leading to a crash.
Free Fix
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealership at your earliest convenience and they will inspect and tighten the bolt for free.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #14V394000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
A faulty ignition switch in your vehicle may move out of the 'run' position due to a heavy key ring or other jarring event, which can affect the airbag system.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your airbags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Free Fix
You'll get a free repair at the dealership, where they'll install two key rings and a protective insert or cover on your ignition key to prevent this issue.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #03V250000 Plain English
Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
Your vehicle's owner's manual doesn't explain some important symbols that help you use the child restraint anchors correctly.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're not aware of how to use the child restraint anchors, you might not install a child seat correctly, which could lead to an increased risk of injury to a child in the event of sudden braking or a crash.
Free Fix
You'll receive a free supplement for your owner's manual, which will explain the meaning of the symbols and show you where the child restraint anchors are located in your vehicle and on the child seat or booster cushion. This will be done at no cost to you, and you can contact the manufacturer's customer service phone number to schedule an appointment.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 recall
STEERING
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall
EQUIPMENT
1 recall

Other CADILLAC CTS Years

2018
2 recalls
2017
2 recalls
2016
4 recalls
2015
3 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
2 recalls
2012
2 recalls
2011
2 recalls
2010
3 recalls
2009
5 recalls
2008
2 recalls
2007
6 recalls
2006
6 recalls
2005
6 recalls
2004
6 recalls

Related Pages

2002 CADILLAC CTS Recalls 2004 CADILLAC CTS Recalls All CADILLAC Recalls CADILLAC CTS Recall History