Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Everything was really grate no problems. My brakes sounds like there is LOTS of AIR Coming from somewhere. My key ignition sometimes want turn over or easy to come out. Than the car started running hot. I've had it looked at Few times and can't seem to fix the problem. I've even brought a new coolant box or another name for it.. so now I can't drive it because my fluids keep coming out of the coolant tank please help me I don't know what to do. To complete this message I've even had a smog twice nonpassable. - Thank you any Questions [redacted] call/ text
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the vehicle would suddenly stalled and the instrument panel would illuminate. The message stating "starting disabled remove key" would display. The contact stated that they would be able to coast and restart the vehicle. Other times the contact would have to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
At about approximately 4:22 am this morning my car was engulfed in flames in my driveway. I was awakened by my Cadillac CTS 2003 car alarm as the flames we're visible thru my bedroom window. At which time I ran outside to turn on the water hose to turn off the fire as my family was sleeping in the house. My husband's car was right next to my cadi that had a full tank of fuel. I called 911 and the fire department arrived to turn off the fire on the Cadillac CTS 2003. And for more than ten minutes the fire was still blazing as the firemen unable to control the flames. My car is gone as it burned down. Please help me to understand why this happened. I only carried liability as this was all I could afford. I thank the lord that even when we were in harm's way, he jehovah god protected us. All the glory to jesus christ that their was no lost of life. Material things can be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact turned sharply to avoid an animal. The engine stalled, but the vehicle continued to coast and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact was launched through the windshield. The contact sustained lower back, neck, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system); however, the failure was already experienced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
2003 Cadillac CTS with 45852 miles - oil leaked from the engine cam/ valve cover seals due to extreme cold weather operations. I was merging onto a major highway and had just removed my foot from the brake to the accelerate when thick black smoke began pouring through the heating system into the car. Visibility was obstructed and breathing was impaired. Within seconds, I was forced to evacuate the car. Smoke began rolling out from beneath the hood. I opened the hood and saw sparking and small flash fires along the left side of the car near the tire. I was in a rural area in 20 degree weather and was forced to slowly limp the car to a safer area to get help and contact towing service. As of December 20th, my car has not been repaired and I am receiving conflicting information between Cadillac and the dealership. …
Picked up vehicle from short term parking in approximately 7 degree weather. After starting vehicle and running for approximately 15 minutes notice severe power loss. Within next couple of minutes black smoke with extreme burning smell flooded vehicle interior compartment also smoke starts to come from under hood of vehicle. Pulled into safe location found huge oil leak on left side of engine around valve cover. Could have possibly started a fire due to highly combustible oil being blown on engine but luckily did not catch on fire. Check on-line found TSB 05-06-01-007a stating GM knows this is a problem. …
My car just shut off in the middle of exceleration.........this happen to me 2x... Once to oncoming traffic!!! And the other just before a blue line train ...dealership takes this very lightly.I guess someone has to die first..it is in the shop right now. I have so many issues that I don't think I should be having or had when new too. .I also noticed that where my airbag on my steering wheel .is looks like it is separating...not sure but it is not flush....I'm afraid to ask about that since all it does is cost me$$$$$$$ also I had brakes fixed that weren't that bad because of noise but the noise is still there not all the time but more frequent and it sounds like its from some part of clutch part not the brakes..... New brakes didn't fix anything.. I am fixing this car more than what I am writing about. …
I bought this car for my son that go to college at san jose state university, his been using this car since 2015 till 2019. Recenty about a month ago his complaining the car has been overheating for no reasons, he says that the gauge goes all the way up everytime he drive it but its OK if the car engine is running but in park mode. We ended up got the car towed to merced. Since July of 2019, the car is the garage and never drive. We only start the car mostly to warp up the engine but not drive. We have a friend mechanic look at it and can't point out the right problem, a lot of assumption possible the thermostat, or radiator, water pump, or the fan, etc.
The pcv valve system design is defective. On (4) occasions the pressure build-up causing massive oil leaks at the valve cover. I experienced smoke from the engine compartment as oil leaked onto a hot engine. A potential engine fire. It took years for the Cadillac dealers to correct the problem. This is a extreme cold weather issue. The automobile was in arizona for a few years and the issue was not a problem but once returned to michigan, the problem got serious. I have all of my repair documents. This car should has been recalled. It is not safe to drive. I was lucky as I was near dealers when this occurred.
Purchased car from dealership in oct 2015. While driving, I begin to smell burning oil and noticed oil leak under vehicle on left side. Took it to a mechanic to see where leak is coming from and he stated that valve cover gasket is leaking oil out as well as oil is present in the spark plug reservoirs. Will have to get gaskets replaced before further damage is caused. This seems to be a common problem with this model vehicle and I recently saw on news where GM recalled other models and years of vehicle with same issue. Why wasn't this model Cadillac included in the recall when is should have?
Engine complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 21% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is engine (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Cadillac CTS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.