2004 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 224 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The output shaft flange for the transmission that mounts to the driveshaft coupler the flange starts to break away and then breaks . I can provide photos but the metal on the part is close the the end and if I did not find this problem by mistake the drive shaft would have came free”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2024
“fuel pump was failed replaced under recall back in 2016. Now again the fuel pump has failed again vehicle stalled. Please have GM repair it again under previous recall remedy. Please see attached photo”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2024
“Vehicle goes into theft mode while driving, locking the driver and passengers inside the car. Windows cannot be rolled down and doors cannot be unlocked. Car stops showing speed, fuel level, etc. In motion on city streets. Also happens when parked.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“At about 100k I noticed the axle seals on the rear differential is leaking. There are recalls on this but not based on my VIN number. When I noticed this the car was on a lift in the air being inspected by a mechanic.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2020
“I have a cts and I've gotten it service thinking it was a tune up do to it was misfiring. Come to find out that it was my cylinders gotten then fixed and it has done the same. Did research on cts and come to find out that is a major issue for these cars. What kind of solution can be made to stop these issues”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“My husband was driving home and the brakes went out and he had to pump them to be able to stop. Upon reasearching the campaign number came up. His brake light came and and upon inspecting the brake lines and checking the fluid it was low and the lines appear to be corroded. Cadillac stated there is not active recall.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2018
“I got the car tooken but they dont want gave it back I dont now the reson can u guys get it bk thank u with my full respect going out to u n ur workers”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2018
“As I was driving on the highway, at 60 mph, my sunroof, which was closed, flew off of my car! No warning. No reason to do so. It just flew right off. Thankfully, no-one was hurt and everyone was able to move out of the way. I was driving west on 90 right before the lagrange rd/301 exit in ohio.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2018
“In back seat on left airbag is really coming out. Im afraid it will explode when I have a child or family member in the seat. The airbag sits right over the person that sits under it. I happen to notice it when I was helping my elder mother out of the car. Help please 🙏🏼 we just home from doctors appointment.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 cadillac cts. While driving various speeds, the check engine, service air bag, and traction control warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the rear of the vehicle made noises. Patriot auto sales in cleveland, ohio was made aware of the failures and scheduled a service appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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 NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
How other years compare
Check your exact CTS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS reliable?
NHTSA has 224 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Cadillac CTS. The most complained-about area is power train (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.