Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warning causing the contact to loose control and crashed into a house. The air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was deemed destroyed and was towed. The contact sustained strain pelvis bone and injuries to the wrist, and nose which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Cadillac CTS. While driving out of the parking lot, the vehicle stalled and abruptly shut down. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
I purchased a 2003 Cadillac CTS from car mart in anniston, alabama on or about May 5, 2017. Shortly after signing the contract, which included an airbag reference, the service airbag lights came on. They come on at random times and include service airbag andrew airbag icon. I did not notice that the bottom of the airbag on the driver steering wheel had a small crack across it that you could actually see the airbag container. After being assured that an excutive of the company would review our contract and get back with me on this complaint around 2 weeks after taking possession of vechicle. As of today I have have not been contacted even after calling and leaving messages. I was driving down hwy.78 west when the lights first came on and continue to do so at random times. My wife is short so she is almost up to the steering wheel. I also have a 5 yr old daughter. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle pushing it off the road. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries that required medical attention and the other driver sustained hip injuries that also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V394000 (electrical system). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
My girlfriend and I were going to a friends house to spend the night. At around 2 am on 12/09/2013 as I was coming around a corner I hit a patch of ice and lost control of the car. My 2003 CTS slid across the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a tree stump on the opposite side of the road. The tree stump impacted the drivers side front tire, shattering the front wheel and tire the flipped the car onto the passenger side of the vehicle. My car was completely totaled and both me and my girlfriend were transported to the hospital. With all the damage and several types of impacts done to the Cadillac CTS not a single air bag was deployed. This seems very odd to me and im hoping somebody can shed some light on this for me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. After shifting the vehicle into the reverse position, the air bags deployed independently. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated two days prior to the failure. The contact received minor pain, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence. The worden-martin Buick GMC dealer (1404 n dunlap st, savoy, il) was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
My Cadillac CTS (2003) was hit directly in the drivers door at approximately 50-55 MPH and the side impact or curtain air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was pushed so hard, the witness thought it was going to flip over. Cadillac indicated that there was no problem, and the air bags didn't deploy because the sensor did not receive a direct hit. The sensor is located on the door frame between the driver and rear left passenger door. I find it hard to believe that the door was totally smashed in to the drivers seat, the vehicle frame damaged, the window blew out and air bags didn't go off, because the sensor was not hit.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when she attempted to avoid a crash by swerving. The contact crashed into the divider and the frontal Land side air bags deployed only partially. In addition, the contact stated that there were holes in the air bags. The contact sustained injuries to the head and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the insurance company deemed it as destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 11/19/14
While driving on the freeway consumer heard a noise under the vehicle. Consumer tried to control the vehicle and it began to swerve. While trying to keep it under control, vehicle flipped over, and the air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle was totaled. The consumer believes the steering shaft bolt became loose and caused the accident.
Airbag complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 12% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Cadillac CTS airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Cadillac CTS, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac CTS airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.