Most common 2004 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of the 224 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac CTS complaints by model year
Best CTS years: 2018, 2019, 2017. Years to avoid: 2006, 2005, 2007, 2003. Compare all years →
2004 Cadillac CTS recalls (6)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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,…
Remedy: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.
Air bags
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.
Steering › Linkages
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.
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.
Seats
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2004 Cadillac CTS:
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.GM is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect.
Rear drivetrain component failure
In July of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential May fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation GM issued recall 07v-589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate…
What 2004 Cadillac CTS owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 52 →
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
Rear pinion seal failed and rear axle locked up. Lost control and was involved in accident. Shocked to find out there is a recall for 2005 and newer CTS (NHTSA campaign number: 07V589000, GM recall no. 07204) but not my 2004 which has an identical rear main seal. The part number used in the recall is the same to repair my 2004.
Brakes all 38 →
As I make sharp turns while on my brakes, my car makes a noise near the tire area and does not stop and then ABS indicator and the traction control indicator lights come on. It usually occurs when I am trying to turn into spaces going 1-2 MPH. The only way to stop the car is to get off of the brakes and then press them again several times or to hit an object. I have taken the car to the Cadillac dealership in my area and they cannot determine the problem. I have also taken the car to several mechanics that specialize in brakes and have been told that the brakes themselves are fine. Since this problem has started, I have hit a trash can and several curbs. I have tried to get the vehicle fixed, but no mechanic, including Cadillac GM mechanics seem to know what's wrong. Fortunately, I have not hit any person or any person's property due to this faulty braking system. …
When turning at a low rate of speed the breaking system completely fails. This nearly caused my entire family to end up in the middle of a very busy highway. Thankfully we were traveling slow and the emergency break worked. We immediately got home and checked fluid as was well. Reading through online complaints there are many people complaining of the exact same thing. I am truly worried this could get someone killed. At the time the breaks failed they stuttered a bit and the break light on the dash came on as well as a tone or alert in the car. Please take this seriously before someone gets killed. This just started happening suddenly out of the blue. My daughter had told me her breaks did something strange when backing out of the driveway one morning. Then the next day she said it did it again going forward she almost hit the car in front of her. …
Electrical system all 34 →
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the ignition failure required her to contact roadside assistance to jump start the battery. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact had an independent mechanic diagnose the vehicle and determined that there was an unknown electrical issue. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it did not start. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not notified. Meanwhile, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 05V024000 (air bags), 10V105000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and 14V394000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2004 Cadillac CTS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 23 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS a good car?
Based on 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 CTS rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the CTS at the same age. 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?
The transmission & drivetrain — 52 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about driveline › differential unit. Next are the brakes (38) and electrical system (34).
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2004 Cadillac CTS, the most recent from September 9, 2014 (fuel pump). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2019 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2005, 2007 and 2003. See the full Cadillac CTS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% 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.