Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Cadillac Cts-V
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
440.0%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Suspension
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 119,250 mi
Steering
220.0%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
110.0%
Electrical System
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
233.3%
150,000+ miles
350.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2015peak 3Oct 2018
Recalls on the 2004 Cadillac Cts-V
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2015157205 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, originally sold, or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the front brake hose fitting at the caliper may corrode. If the fitting corrodes significantly, the internal brake hose-tube interface may develop a leak or in some cases break, causing a sudden increase in braking distances which may lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace both front brake hose assemblies. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 2010-080.
Recall 2014381377 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, an electrical terminal on the fuel pump module may overheat and melt, potentially allowing fuel to leak and/or affecting fuel system pressure. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Low fuel pressure as a result of the leak could also affect engine performance which could result in reduced engine power and/or stalling. These issues could increase the risk of injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 68,500 milesMartinez, GACrash1 killed
SUSPENSION
I HAVE OR HAD A 2004 CADILLAC CTS-V. IT HAD GIVEN ME SOME PROBLEMS WITH TURNING. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I MADE TURNS ONTO ANOTHER STREET OR EVEN WHEN I TOOK AN ON RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. IT SEEMS TO LOOSE TRACTION, LIKE THE TRACTION CONTROL GOT TURNED OFF (WHICH IT HADN'T) AND BEGAN DRIFTING/SWERVING ON THE ROAD WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES, UNTIL FINALLY IT DID. THANKSGIVING OF 2017 IT FINALLY DID CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND A DEATH OF ONE OF MY FRIENDS. I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN ONE NIGHT ON THE WAY TO DROP OFF SOME FRIENDS WHEN MY VEHICLE KEPT TURNING, LIKE IT SWUNG OUT, AND HIT A POLE, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND TAKING THE LIFE OF ONE OF MY PASSENGERS THAT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11064222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 170,000 milesHouston, TX
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED, THE BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC DEALER (2520 MAIN ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002, (832) 431-5697) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 84781603741. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11144200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesHouston, TX
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED, THE BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC DEALER (2520 MAIN ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002, (832) 431-5697) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 84781603741. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11144200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesHouston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED, THE BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC DEALER (2520 MAIN ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002, (832) 431-5697) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 84781603741. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11144200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,500 milesMartinez, GACrash1 killed
SUSPENSION
I HAVE OR HAD A 2004 CADILLAC CTS-V. IT HAD GIVEN ME SOME PROBLEMS WITH TURNING. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I MADE TURNS ONTO ANOTHER STREET OR EVEN WHEN I TOOK AN ON RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. IT SEEMS TO LOOSE TRACTION, LIKE THE TRACTION CONTROL GOT TURNED OFF (WHICH IT HADN'T) AND BEGAN DRIFTING/SWERVING ON THE ROAD WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES, UNTIL FINALLY IT DID. THANKSGIVING OF 2017 IT FINALLY DID CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND A DEATH OF ONE OF MY FRIENDS. I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN ONE NIGHT ON THE WAY TO DROP OFF SOME FRIENDS WHEN MY VEHICLE KEPT TURNING, LIKE IT SWUNG OUT, AND HIT A POLE, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND TAKING THE LIFE OF ONE OF MY PASSENGERS THAT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11064222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE START POSITION. CAR WON'T START NEITHER TURN OFF COMPLETELY WON'T TURN OFF LEAVING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ON THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DEAD. MY TRACTION AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE WITH A WARN SIGNAL SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11032959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE START POSITION. CAR WON'T START NEITHER TURN OFF COMPLETELY WON'T TURN OFF LEAVING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ON THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DEAD. MY TRACTION AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE WITH A WARN SIGNAL SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11032959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE START POSITION. CAR WON'T START NEITHER TURN OFF COMPLETELY WON'T TURN OFF LEAVING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ON THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DEAD. MY TRACTION AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE WITH A WARN SIGNAL SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11032959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herndon, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE OTHER RECALLS HANDLED AND WAS INFORMED MY BRAKE HOSE FITTINGS WERE RUSTED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V225000 / GM RECALL 15149. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE DETAILED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THE RECALL IS NOT APPLICABLE TO ME. MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THE DATE RANGE FROM THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT IN ONE OF THE LISTED STATES. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT I AM SUFFERING THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE SAME DEFECT, AND I SUSPECT MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE RECENTLY ISSUED RECALL, HOWEVER I AM NOT BEING COVERED BECAUSE I LIVE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND NOT ~10 MILES AWAY IN MARYLAND OR DC. THE WEATHER IN MY LOCATION IS MORE OR LESS IDENTICAL TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (IN FACT, THE SUBURBS OFTEN GET MORE SNOW), AND I DRIVE MY VEHICLE YEAR ROUND (INCLUDING TRIPS IN MD/DC/WV) ENCOUNTERING ROAD SALT WHEN APPLIED, WHICH IS THE STATED REASON FOR THE CORROSION. I AM UNAWARE OF THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY BUT FOR ALL I KNOW IF COULD HAVE SPENT MOST OF THE 7 YEARS PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP IN ONE OF THE LISTED STATES FROM THE RECALL. I FEEL THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL VEHICLES IN AREAS WHICH EXPERIENCE SNOW THAT SHOW THE LISTED ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10761054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
STEERING
I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON I-95 IN FLORIDA AT 70MPH W/CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR AND ENGINE OVER-REVVED TO RED-LINE CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY (AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO) - RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I MANAGED TO GUIDE VEHICLE SAFELY TO SHOULDER OF ROAD (ONLY BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT). I COLLECTED MY THOUGHTS AND GOT VEHICLE RE-STARTED AS NORMAL. I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP BUT WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES (AND A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT), BUT I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT ENGINE OVER-REV & SHUT-DOWN BY NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE (SEE NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS) AND, GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE, I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE A LONG TIME AGO. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TREMEC T-56 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SINCE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS. SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT NONE HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO TAKEN VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED TREMEC SERVICE DEALER - MORE REPAIRS MADE. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER SERVICE REPAIR VISIT TO TREMEC DEALER. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $3,500 ON THIS PROBLEM TO DATE WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10714607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON I-95 IN FLORIDA AT 70MPH W/CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR AND ENGINE OVER-REVVED TO RED-LINE CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY (AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO) - RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I MANAGED TO GUIDE VEHICLE SAFELY TO SHOULDER OF ROAD (ONLY BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT). I COLLECTED MY THOUGHTS AND GOT VEHICLE RE-STARTED AS NORMAL. I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP BUT WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE FELL OUT OF 6TH GEAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES (AND A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT), BUT I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT ENGINE OVER-REV & SHUT-DOWN BY NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE (SEE NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS) AND, GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE, I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE A LONG TIME AGO. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TREMEC T-56 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SINCE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS. SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT NONE HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO TAKEN VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED TREMEC SERVICE DEALER - MORE REPAIRS MADE. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER SERVICE REPAIR VISIT TO TREMEC DEALER. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 99,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $3,500 ON THIS PROBLEM TO DATE WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10714607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.