Most common 2004 Cadillac CTS-V problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac CTS-V complaints by model year
Best CTS-V years: 2004, 2005. Compare all years →
2004 Cadillac CTS-V recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured between September 6, 2003, and June 11, 2007, currently registered, or originally sold, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front brake hose assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.
What 2004 Cadillac CTS-V owners say
Brakes
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving, and while depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the brake failed. The contact had to engage the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel would shake at low and high speeds. The brake and ABS warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arms failed, the ball joint was cracked and both needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to central houston Cadillac dealer (2520 main st, houston, tx 77002, [phone]) but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 84781603741. …
2004 Cadillac CTS-V engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 23 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 CTS-V rates few complaints: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CTS-V at the same age. It is one of the best CTS-V years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V?
The brakes — 4 complaints, 80% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (2) and suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V, the most recent from April 15, 2015 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac CTS-V?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004 and 2005. See the full Cadillac CTS-V years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS-V problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.