Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
While entering a parking place, my brakes failed to engage. The ABS system warning appeared and also the traction control warning illuminated, as I struck a restraining post. This could have been tragic if a person had been infront of the vehicle. Less than 2 weeks prior to this I had a complete brake service and replacement of all worn equipment. Now I am concerned for anyone driving this vehicle or anyone walking in front of this vehicle. I took the car back into my local garage to have the brakes rechecked. They found no problem. My plan was to take the car to the GM dealership where I purchased the car, yet, I find that this is a common problem and GM refused to help others with the same problem. They, others with the same problem, spent lots of money and to no avail. The problem has not been repaired at the dealerships and have left the customers very dissatisfied.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. While driving and attempting to park the vehicle, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop. The contact also stated that the liftgate struck the contact in the head several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
I was in the right lane of a highway leading to an off ramp at about 35 -40 MPH when traffic stopped suddenly. When I jammed on the brakes the pedal went unusually low, the ABS also seemed to fail resulting in the brakes locking, car skidding and considerable stopping distance (well over 100ft). I hit the bumper of the car in front of me and slid into a curb. Car was towed to a dealer who noted that the master cylinder was shot and the brakes were spongy. I've contacted GM but they have not yet responded to my complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. While driving 5 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. In addition, while the vehicle was in reverse, the failure recurred numerous times. The dealer replaced the brakes, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V225000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
My braking power assist fails occasionally when I am making a hard turn (as when parking), either right or left , but recovers when I straighten out my steering wheel. This began after I replaced my front wheel rotors and brake pads at around120,000 miles. My power assist unit failed completely around 138.000 miles, so I had it and my master brake unit replaced. I continue to experience the same braking problem as before.
Pulling out from my driveway in slow speed about 3 MPH on reverse turning steering wheel left my radio show message "service brake assistance". Same time I lost the brake, traction control and ABS light come on on the dashboard. Lucky this was low speed so car stops on my neighbor trash can. I don't want to think what will happen if the other car will drive by or someone will walk by. I am scare to drive now.
Brake failure in Cadillac CTS I have a large amount of information in a pdf that explains our experience as well as documents multiple similar experiences from other individuals. How do I send it to you? The brakes are intermittently completely failing at slow speeds and significant injury to a pedestrian seems inevitable. Please help!!!
This vehicle has an intermittent problem with the brakes, when turning to the right or left like when parking in a driveway or a parking spot, the brake pedal looses pressure and starting kind of shaking like when the ABS system engages and the car can't be stopped unless the brake pedal is released and applied very hard again so I can stop the car, it could happen at any given moment, I have asked several GM dealers and nobody is sure what the problem is, they are all guessing and can't guarantee to refund a diagnostic fee to troubleshoot the problem, some have said it is maybe the ABS module, the master cylinder, a kinked hose, etc. …
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Cadillac CTS, 17% of the model year's 224 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Cadillac CTS brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-105 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.