NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac CTS. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
DURING 100,000 INSPECTION, SHOP FOUND RUSTED AND ROTTED FRONT FRAME RAILS, JUST BEHIND THE ENGINE CRADLE. NEED FRAME REPAIRED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID AROUND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED A LARGE BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE HARD BRAKE LINE GOING TO CALIPER AND THE FLEXIBLE LINE THAT GOES TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. DURING REMOVAL, THE INTERFACE COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS IS EXACTLY THE FAILURE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN RECALL: REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAR 17, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC YET FOR SOME REASON, THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES SOLD AND REGISTERED IN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STATES. THIS BRAKE LINE OBVIOUSLY IS FAILING ON VEHICLES REGISTERED IN OTHER STATES. THE PART ON MY CAR WAS WITHIN SEVERAL CYCLES OF COMPLETE FAILURE, WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT LOSS OF BRAKING AND A CRASH. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART AND CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS OR MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *TR
MY CADILLAC CTS 2004 KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ONE SAID IT WAS A BATTERY. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM AND ONE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. I DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE KEY RING AND GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF, BUT HONESTLY THE SAME RECALL THAT IS DEALING WITH THE CAMAROS AND THE COBALTS NEED TO BE ENFORCED WITH THE CADILLACS. GM NEW THERE WAS SOMETHING FAULTY ABOUT THE KEYS GETTING STUCK IN THE CADILLACS. I'VE BEEN ON SEVERAL FORUMS AND WE ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V39400 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY THE END OF DECEMBER OF 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NOTICED PUDDLE ON GARAGE FLOOR SO MOVED CAR OUT ON DRIVEWAY AND FOUND THAT IT WAS OIL ON FLOOR. WENT BACK TO CAR AND THERE WAS A WET SPOT BEHIND WHEEL ON DRIVERS SIDE. MOVED CAR BACK AND IT WAS OIL. MADE DECISION TO GO TO CLOSEST PLACE TO HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED THAT I TRUSTED AND WENT TO BIG O TIRE. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE BRAKE WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO STOP CAR. THE CHECKED AND SAID THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY REPLACED THEM. LOOKED UP WHAT HAPPENED ON INTERNET AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM BUT, ONLY FOR STATES WITH HEAVE WINTERS. I LIVE IN KENTUCKY AND THERE WAS NOT RECALL FOR MY AREA. I LISTED SPEED ABOVE AT 10 THIS IS WHAT SPEED I DROVE AFTER FINDING PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I WAS NOTIFIED BY U.S. MAIL FROM GENERAL MOTORS ON 9/19/2014 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL NOTICE #14172. THE LETTER STATED THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. LETTER ALSO STATED THAT I WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY CADILLAC DEALER TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED. NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY DID NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENTS FOR THE REPAIR. THIS LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS, DATED SEPTEMBER 2014, AND SIGNED BY [XXX], VICE PRESIDENT - GLOBAL SAFETY IS VERY MISLEADING AND APPARENTLY CONTAINS FALSE INFORMATION. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS BY TELEPHONE @ 1-800-458-8006 AND THE AGENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS CONFIRMED THAT THE LETTER CONTAINED FALSE INFORMATION. SINCE HUMAN LIVES ARE AT RISK CONCERNING THE RECALL, I FEEL THIS IS A MISTAKE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE CORRECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRIPLE A WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY TIGHTENING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT REVERSED FOUR FEET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE TIMEFRAME AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MENTIONED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO HER RESIDENCE AND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT INVOLVE A CRASH, IT INVOLVES GM'S PERFORMANCE IN ITS RECALL # N140172, NHTSA RECALL # 14V394, ISSUED 7-21-2014. 1. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE COME YEARS EARLIER. 2. GM AS OF NOW HAS NO REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT & CANNOT TELL ME WHEN IT WILL. 3. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL ON GM'S WEBSITE 8/22/14. I HAD CHECKED IN EARLY JULY & WEBSITE SHOWED NO RECALL. 4. GM WILL NOT GIVE A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL DEFECT IS REMEDIED. AND ADVISES ONLY TO REMOVE ALL FROM IGNITION KEY, ADJUST SEAT & STEERING COLUMN TO GET KEY AWAY FROM KNNE, BUT THIS MEANS AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY TOWARD MY HEAD RATHER THAN MY CHEST. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE IGNITION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. ONCE WHEN I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY WAS LOCKED, VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, & I WAS TOLD A BAD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. SINCE PURCHASE, IGNITION HARD TO GET INTO LOCK POSITION SO KEY CAN BE REMOVED. DAILY I HAVE HAD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK & BACK INTO PARK, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE COMPUTER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/26/14*CN UPDATED 10/5/2015*JS
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST DRIVE POWER. THE RPM'S REVVED UP TO 4 BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER ON A BUSY ROAD JUMPING TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH MY THREE KIDS IN THE CAR. IT WAS STORMING THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGES IN GEAR. WHEN WE GOT OUT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID PORING AND SPRAYING OUT OF THE CAR WE QUICKLY KNEW TO TURN IT OFF AND CALL FOR HELP. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR HOME WE SAW THAT THE TRANSMISSION LINE CAME OFF THE RADIATOR. I HAVE SEEN SENSE THEN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND MOST PEOPLES TRANSMISSION ARE SHOT AFTER THIS HAPPENS. WITCH IS A $5000 FIX. THERE WAS NO INDICATORS THAT THE PART WAS BAD OR THAT THE COOLANT PAN WAS LOOSE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR WHICH STRIPED OUT THE NUT ON THE LINE LEAVENING ME AND MY THREE KIDS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CADILLAC KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM SO THEY PUT OUT A AFTER MARKET PART WITH A QUICK DISCONNECT NOT THE SCREW IN PART LIKE MY CAR HAD. I FOUND THAT OUT AFTER I CALLED AROUND TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER THE SPEED INCREASED TO 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER VIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,565.
THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES BLEW OUT OF THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLOWING OUT ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FRONT TIRES, FRONT BRAKES, AND ONTO THE ROAD. I SAW ON SOME FORUMS, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CADILLAC CTS. AND I WASN'T SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD FILED A COMPLAINT. IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT A SAFE SITUATION TO BE IN. TO BE HONEST, I HAVE OWNED/DRIVEN A NUMBER OF CARS, STARTING FROM A 1950 CHEVY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE COOLER LINES BLOWING OUT OF THE RADIATOR IS NOW A PROBLEM. NONE OF MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WERE DEFINITELY NOT IN ANY KIND OF PRISTINE CONDITION. *TR
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO DRIVEWAY BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST INDICATOR CAME ON THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP RIGHT THEN. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REMOVING AN OBJECT OUT OF THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK CLOSED ON THE CONTACTS BACK INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ *TR
2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #14172.* LD THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. *JB
HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A PSSHHH SOUND AND CRUISE CONTROL BROKE VIOLENTLY AND SMELLED BURNT RUBBER WITH SMOKE COMING FROM BACK END OF CAR. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CAR SMOKE FROM BACK END AND SMELL ONLY INCREASED. THOUGHT FOR SURE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. WALKED AROUND CAR AND NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRES. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR PLACE AND AM TOLD THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. I HAVE SINCE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND MANY, MANY FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL BUT A CERTAIN RECALL FOR 2005 MODELS. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AND I FEEL BOTH FORTUNATE AND UPSET WITH GM THAT SUCH A PROBLEM HAS BEEN SO COMMONLY NOTED BUT WITH NO "REAL" RESOLVE. THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE HAS CALLED AROUND AND THIS IS A SPECIAL PART THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN MY STATE AND A NEW ONE COSTS AN ESTIMATED $1,200. WITH SO MANY ISSUES WITH MODELS 2004-2006 HOW COME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 2004 AND ONLY A LESSER DEGREE OF A RECALL FOR 2005? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK MANUALLY, IT RAPIDLY CLOSED DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND STATED THAT IT COULD CAUSE INJURIES. DUE TO THE DISTANCE AND THE CONTACT'S HANDICAP, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. ALSO, THE ANTI- THEFT SERVICE SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DOORS TO UNLOCK A SCREW DRIVER WAS USED TO RELEASE THE MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME (APRIL 29TH 2013), THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV SCREEN. KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND REINSERTED. AFTER TURNING THE KEY, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME (MAY 3RD 2013), THE CAR WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AGAIN. THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT* WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV DISPLAY. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY AND REINSERTING THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME OF THIS WEBSITE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE INCIDENT WITH CADILLAC CORPORATE. A REP FROM CADILLAC WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. SAID THAT I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK BETWEEN 5/6/2013 AND 5/9/2013 WITH THE OPTIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
AS I MAKE SHARP TURNS WHILE ON MY BRAKES, MY CAR MAKES A NOISE NEAR THE TIRE AREA AND DOES NOT STOP AND THEN ABS INDICATOR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I AM TRYING TO TURN INTO SPACES GOING 1-2 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO GET OFF OF THE BRAKES AND THEN PRESS THEM AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES OR TO HIT AN OBJECT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT SPECIALIZE IN BRAKES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BRAKES THEMSELVES ARE FINE. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS STARTED, I HAVE HIT A TRASH CAN AND SEVERAL CURBS. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, BUT NO MECHANIC, INCLUDING CADILLAC GM MECHANICS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HIT ANY PERSON OR ANY PERSON'S PROPERTY DUE TO THIS FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND A FIX. *TR
2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM BOARD RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ECM BOARD WAS $800.00. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD NOT START. AND THE SAME MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE, FROM WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.
JANUARY 29, 2012, VEHICLE HEADLAMP WENT OUT. I OBSERVED CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED WATER HAD ENTERED ASSEMBLY AND SHORTED OUT BALLAST AND BULB ON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. REPAIR COST: $646. APPROXIMATELY MAY 5, 2012, DURING RAINY WEATHER, SAME HEADLAMP WENT OUT. AGAIN, CONDENSATION IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. BULB AND BALLAST SHORTED OUT DUE TO WATER. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, REPAIR COST IN EXCESS OF $1200. COMPLAINED TO GM, AND THEY PROVIDED GOODWILL COST ADJUSTMENT, BUT STILL HAD TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $671. I'M AFRAID THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WILL DO THE SAME THING EVENTUALLY. GM NEEDS TO REPLACE FAULTY HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON VEHICLES DUE TO CONDENSATION CAUSED BY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN SEALING THE ASSEMBLY DURING PRODUCTION. THERE APPEARS TO BE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON GM VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE AND SATURATED THE NOISE REDUCTION FOAM. ALSO, THE UNDER BODY FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,313 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 115,402. UPDATED 2/19/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO SPRAYING FOAM IN THE INSIDE FOR NOISE CONTROL FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE MOST RECENT IS WITH MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE LATEST PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL PROMPTED AN ONLINE SEARCH WITH THE RESULTS SHOWING THAT EACH OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY CADILLAC CTS IS ONE THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH 1000'S OF OTHER 2004 CTS MODEL CADILLACS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS (TYPICALLY OVER 30 MPH) THE "STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED" MESSAGE COMES ON AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT WITH A WEIRD NOISE. THIS IS REALLY SCARY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. NO RECALL EXISTS AND THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE FOR TWO YEARS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED HOW TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THIS PROBLEM BY HOLDING DOWN THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS NO REAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SINCE IT HAS TO BE DONE EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100 TIMES ON THIS AND OTHER WEB SITES: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/29 PLEASE CHECK THESE POSTS SINCE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHICH (AS STATED IN ONE OF THE POSTS) VERY WELL COULD BE A FAILURE IN THE DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN SOME OF THE WIRING HARNESSES CONNECTING THE EBCM TO THE SPEED SENSORS THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. WHATEVER THE CAUSE, ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT ANY BRAKE TROUBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES. THIS IS A DEADLY FLAW AND I EXPECT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO IT, EDUCATE DEALERS AND OWNERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT(ALMOST STOPPED) THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND, A VIBRATING BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS ONLY HAPPENING ON RIGHT TURNS AND VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ON LINE ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND CADILLAC DEALERS BEING UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DIAGNOSE THE TRUE PROBLEM. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/50. I AM GOING TO LOOK INTO THE WIRE HARNESS ISSUE DISCUSSED ONLINE MYSELF. *TR
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT LIKE WHEN PARKING IN A DRIVEWAY OR A PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOOSES PRESSURE AND STARTING KIND OF SHAKING LIKE WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES AND THE CAR CAN'T BE STOPPED UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND APPLIED VERY HARD AGAIN SO I CAN STOP THE CAR, IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL GM DEALERS AND NOBODY IS SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE ALL GUESSING AND CAN'T GUARANTEE TO REFUND A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM, SOME HAVE SAID IT IS MAYBE THE ABS MODULE, THE MASTER CYLINDER, A KINKED HOSE, ETC. I WENT TO SEVERAL FORUMS ON LINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NOBODY HAS HAD ANY ACCEPTABLE ANSWER FROM GM OR ANY DEALER, THEY ALL STATED THAT THE WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THAT THEY COULD NOT REFUND THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE I FEEL I AM PLAYING A RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH MY VEHICLE, I DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED, I DON'T WANT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE EITHER WITHOUT TELLING THE NEW OWNER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND GET HIM INTO A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, SO I AM WRITING TO YOU TO PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH SOME ADVISE TO ADDRESS THIS EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I DON'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN SINCE THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND I DON'T WANT TO GAMBLE WITH MY LIFE OR ANYBODY'S. THANK YOU. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON I-95 IN FLORIDA AT 70MPH W/CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR AND ENGINE OVER-REVVED TO RED-LINE CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY (AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO) - RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I MANAGED TO GUIDE VEHICLE SAFELY TO SHOULDER OF ROAD (ONLY BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT). I COLLECTED MY THOUGHTS AND GOT VEHICLE RE-STARTED AS NORMAL. I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP BUT WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES (AND A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT), BUT I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT ENGINE OVER-REV & SHUT-DOWN BY NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE (SEE NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS) AND, GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE, I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE A LONG TIME AGO. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TREMEC T-56 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SINCE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS. SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT NONE HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO TAKEN VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED TREMEC SERVICE DEALER - MORE REPAIRS MADE. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER SERVICE REPAIR VISIT TO TREMEC DEALER. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $3,500 ON THIS PROBLEM TO DATE WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK CYLINDERS FAILED TO HOLD THE TRUNK OPEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND HAND INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRUNK CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, THE PANEL ON THE REAR LIGHTS WAS EASILY KNOCKED OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT HOW EASILY THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,979.
WHILE ENTERING A PARKING PLACE, MY BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED AND ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING ILLUMINATED, AS I STRUCK A RESTRAINING POST. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IF A PERSON HAD BEEN INFRONT OF THE VEHICLE. LESS THAN 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL WORN EQUIPMENT. NOW I AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE OR ANYONE WALKING IN FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK INTO MY LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE THE BRAKES RECHECKED. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. MY PLAN WAS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE GM DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, YET, I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND GM REFUSED TO HELP OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY, OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SPENT LOTS OF MONEY AND TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE LEFT THE CUSTOMERS VERY DISSATISFIED. *TR
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. UPON RESEARCH OF THE NATIONAL SAFETY HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V024000, NVS-215-05V-024 AND ALSO A GM RECALL NUMBER OF 05004 SHOWS A RECALL ON THESE AIRBAGS. *TR
NOTICED BROWN LIQUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AREA. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO GM DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED A COOLANT LINE FAILURE WHICH CREATED LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO RADIATOR AND COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED REPLACING, CAR IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THIS WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER AND CADILLAC TO BE A FAILURE OF THE PART, UNABLE TO BE PREVENTED AND UNABLE TO DETECT. CONSUMER WAS NOT AT ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST $4,900. CONTACTED GM WHERE THEY OFFERED TO "SPLIT" THE COST 50/50, MYSELF RELIABLE FOR THE $2400. ALTHOUGH CADILLAC TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN AIR SOUND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING TIME AND DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,976.
WHILE DRIVING FOR BUSINESS THE REAR END STARTED MAKING A GROWLING NOISE AND THEN IT STARTED TO CUT IN AND OUT. STILL MAKES NOISE AND CUTS IN AND OUT MORE IN TURNS. *TT
2004 CTS V-6 3.6L,REAR WHEEL DRIVE , THIS CAR HAS PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 12 O'CLOCK POSITION . PLAY IS ALWAYS THERE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE AT. PLAY IN WHEEL IS ABOUT 1 INCH EACH WAY , IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER/ CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS .RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS COULD BE AN UNSAFE CONDITION
BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN TURNING RIGHT. ABS/TC KICKS ON BUT CAR DOES NOT STOP. REPORTED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME. ALMOST HAD MANY ACCIDENTS AND RECENTLY AVOIDED HITTING PEDESTRIAN. CAR IS SITTING UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT WAS BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RETIGHTEN THE COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN FLUID BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE FRACTURED FROM THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, COOLANT LINES AND REFILLING WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND ABOVE OR WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,300.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026