Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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
Driving down a highway w/ brand new sumitomo tires for rear purchased on 1/10/15, the rear right tire blew causing me to loose control sending me into the guardrail then spun out into the highway landing horizontal across all lanes of traffic with my trunk end in the hov lane. I was then struct by a box truck, spinning me back around and totaling the vehicle. The sidewalls to the tire we still attached to the rim and the tread face had detached.
Recall 03V115000 concerning intermediate steering shaft bolt. While driving 5-10 MPH vehicle suddenly lost, steering gear off to the right and hit a curb. This was the second incident that occurred with this issue. The consumer stated that at the time of the accident the break line was bad as indicated on the traction control indicator.
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.
While driving at a steady speed and for no apparent reason, the stability system engaged, I was unable to control vehicle, could not engage brakes, vehicle began losing power & stalled in freeway traffic. Lastly, the brakes vibrate and the car's valve cover gaskets are made of plastic which May leak & start a fire.
I was driving home from work when this first happened. All of a sudden a loud screeching noise and the brakes would not stop in time. I had to pump the brakes to work. I took my car to Cadillac in arizona and they had it for 2 days and could not find an issue. I drove home that day with it and sure enough it did it while I was home. It had now began to jerk me to the right and left when I press on the brakes, scaring me thinking I am going to hit the car next to me. I took it to midas this time and they noticed a problem and said maybe its a wheel barring. They replaced issue duplicated itself shortly after. Since I did not have a second car or pay for a rental I had to take my car home to go back to work the next day. This problem is a safety hazard and I have even been pulled over because the cop asked why I was swerving while driving. …
Was entering the on ramp on to a freeway and just tapped the brake and noticed and heard the left front tire grind and the steering wheel pulled to the left real hard. I was going into a blind under pass and thought that if it seized up around the blind corner I would surely be in an accident. I first thought that a stone chip was in between the brake and rotor. The car was towed away to a aaa location about 3 miles away. The service station then took it out around the block and was not able to duplicate. The put the car up and the lift and could not see anything that was wrong. Then I took them out around the block real slow and the left front brakes would grind away. They tested it and could not find anything wrong no error codes. They I said could drive the car home from san diego to south orange county not didn't make it a block away before it locked up the left front tire. …
Starting around September, my car would randomly shut off while in motion, at various speeds. After hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees, I found some Cadillac forums stating it was a crank shaft sensor malfunction, which is common in 2003 models. My car would also show the traction control was off with no warning, and not get out of gear while being on, with no warning as well. The computer system would show low oil pressure and other warnings although nothing was wrong. And lastly, at around 78,000 miles, while driving 70 on a highway, the car make a huge bang, and smoke erupted, almost causing me to crash on the highway. All the oil leaked out, and the car won't start. I'm being told to replace my entire engine because of a possible head gasket, which according to multiple forums, tends to be faulty in the '03 models. These should obviously be recalled if so many cars are affected. …
While driving at a steady and even speed my car would suddenly pulled to the left as if the left front wheel had the break apply. Almost instantly my "stability system engaged" display would go on and the car would correct itself. This went on to become a regular event with each time I took the car out. The most it occurred was 30 or so times in a 90 mile trip, but it happened regularly on local 2 mile trips to the store. Sometimes it would be more severe than others . In addition and occasionally, when the breaks were applied, there would be a "loudish" crunch sound and resistance to foot pressure that would give way after the initial break application. There was also a vibration "buzz" through the gas pedal when this all would occur. The first time I took the car to the dealer they could not find anything wrong or duplicate the problem. …
Brakes pulsate when they are being applied, causing delay in stopping time. Air conditioning compressor is gone out and has metal going through the system. Have to get compressor replaced already and it is going to cost an additional $2300. Car pulls violently to left or right, which almost caused a couple of accidents, the steering system sensor is gone out and is going to cost $500 to get replaced. Fm radio has a mind of its own and works when it feels like working. This is the newest car I've had and the worst car. I have never owned a car with this many problems, I think this car is a total defect and needs to be recalled. I was at 51000 miles when the air compressor went out and I called the manufacturer and they refused to fix it because the warranty was up. …
Related recalls
Steering
Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt May be loose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the intermediate steering shaft bolt and ensure that it is tightened to the proper specification. Owner notification began March 20, 2003.
Steering complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Cadillac CTS, 9% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Cadillac CTS steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-115 (steering, Mar 24, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac CTS steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to steering 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.