38 of the 450 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS are about the airbag system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 94,500 miles.
38
Complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
AIR BAGS
THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TO FIX THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE SINCE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11355638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DRS AIRBAG LIGHT ON ON DASH
NHTSA complaint #11163404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME REASON THE OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #11110244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS FROM CAR MART IN ANNISTON, ALABAMA ON OR ABOUT MAY 5, 2017. SHORTLY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT, WHICH INCLUDED AN AIRBAG REFERENCE, THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND INCLUDE SERVICE AIRBAG ANDREW AIRBAG ICON. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER STEERING WHEEL HAD A SMALL CRACK ACROSS IT THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE AIRBAG CONTAINER. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT AN EXCUTIVE OF THE COMPANY WOULD REVIEW OUR CONTRACT AND GET BACK WITH ME ON THIS COMPLAINT AROUND 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF VECHICLE. AS OF TODAY I HAVE HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED EVEN AFTER CALLING AND LEAVING MESSAGES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY.78 WEST WHEN THE LIGHTS FIRST CAME ON AND CONTINUE TO DO SO AT RANDOM TIMES. MY WIFE IS SHORT SO SHE IS ALMOST UP TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I ALSO HAVE A 5 YR OLD DAUGHTER. I AM IN CONSTANT FEAR AND WORRY THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PREMATURELY OR WHEN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAVE CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE ARE NONE. I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE I CAN GET TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11096879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TRACTION CONTROL ALWAYS COME ON,AIR BAGS LIGHTS ON,CUTS OFF IF IDLE TO LONG
NHTSA complaint #11056283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
ON THE MORNING OF 9/21/2017 I WAS IN A ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF MY CAR ABOVE THE BUMPER WAS SMASHED IN THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BK AND IS TIPPED. NOT ONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF IN THE ACCIDENT. MY SON WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR. BY THE AIRBAGS NOT GOING LOFF I COULD'VE DIED AND MY SON WOULD'VE BEEN MOTHERLESS.
NHTSA complaint #11025439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR PAIN, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE WORDEN-MARTIN BUICK GMC DEALER (1404 N DUNLAP ST, SAVOY, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11021071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT BELT (FEMALE) ASSEMBLY USING A TAKATA INITIATOR (CYLINDER ALONGSIDE THE SEAT) FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SENSOR FAILURE. DEALER SAYS PARTS IN NO LONGER MADE, NO ONE MAKES AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THE SRS, THEREFORE NO REPAIR CAN BE MADE AND JEOPARDIZES SAFETY AND OMITS THE PURPOSE OF AN SRS.
NHTSA complaint #10854864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED STRAIN PELVIS BONE AND INJURIES TO THE WRIST, AND NOSE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10691774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 6/25/2013
NHTSA complaint #10672308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING IT OFF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED HIP INJURIES THAT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #10660446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF DUE TO THE KEY FOB MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER'S KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA complaint #10659968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 11/24/14
NHTSA complaint #10649631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 11/19/14
NHTSA complaint #10648342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A DUMPSTER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10638324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #10588641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHEN DRIVING IT WOULD ENGAGE TO STABILITY MODE AND ALSO SERVICE STABILITY.. HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD GET OUT OF CONTROL AND IT WOULD BE AS IF YOU PUT YOU BRAKES ON WHEN YOU WERE IN WATER... BUT NO WATER AND I HADN'T PUT THE BRAKE UNTIL I HAD TO.. BECAUSE IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR A QUICK (BUT MORE FREQUENT) TIME...I TOOK IT IN FINALLY AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS BECAUSEWHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 2003 NEW. I HAD TO HAVE THE SHAFT BOLT FIXED ... THEN I HAD TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SERVICED AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR THAT ANOTHER TIME. THEN MY SEAT MOTOR WENT OUT. ETC. ALL WITHIN THE 1ST 5 YEARS WITH LOW MILEAGE TOO. SO I'VE BEE WAITING TO FIX THIS SINCE I AM A WIDOW AND DON'T WHO TO TRUST ANYMORE... I WAS TOLD THIS TIME IT IS LEAKING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THAT'S WHY IT RUNS ROUGH AND JOLTS WHEN I PUT IN GEAR...AND THE THERMOSTAT AND 2 CAPS IN FRONT LEAKING ... WHO KNOWS.. BUT TOMORROW THEY WILL CALL ME WITH THE AMOUNT IT IS GOING TO COST... APPROX. 13 HOURS OF WORK....
NHTSA complaint #10583426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. AT AROUND 2AM ON 12/09/2013 AS I WAS COMING AROUND A CORNER I HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY 2003 CTS SLID ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE STUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TREE STUMP IMPACTED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE, SHATTERING THE FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE THE FLIPPED THE CAR ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND BOTH ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. WITH ALL THE DAMAGE AND SEVERAL TYPES OF IMPACTS DONE TO THE CADILLAC CTS NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. THIS SEEMS VERY ODD TO ME AND IM HOPING SOMEBODY CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10555782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
BOUGHT CAR FOR TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND OUT 2005-2007 HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. CADILLAC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. I AM CONCERNED THAT UNTIL PARTS COME IN MY NEW DRIVER IS UNPROTECTED IF IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10504224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE STARTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG IN HEADLINER DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10471358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DIVIDER AND THE FRONTAL LAND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONLY PARTIALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10400656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
LOST CONTROL OF 2003 CADILLAC CTS ON THE MASS PIKE - HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, CAREENED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A TREE. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10363553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
IT WAS DECEMBER I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT ,I WAS SITTING IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WARMING UP THE CAR AND PUTTING EYELINER ON, WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE. WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM AIRBAGS WENT OFF FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL THEN DRIVER DOOR IT MADE MARKS ON MY FACE AND NECK I REPORTED IT TO CADILLAC THEY ACCEPTED WHAT HAPPENED BUT ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10346104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IT WAS DECEMBER I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT ,I WAS SITTING IN MY 2003 CADILLAC CTS WARMING UP THE CAR AND PUTTING EYELINER ON, WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE. WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM AIRBAGS WENT OFF FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL THEN DRIVER DOOR IT MADE MARKS ON MY FACE AND NECK I REPORTED IT TO CADILLAC THEY ACCEPTED WHAT HAPPENED BUT ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10346104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN DECEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED RECALL 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS).IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CONTAINMENT MODULE FOR THE AIR BAGS PROTRUDED OUTWARD AND WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY,T HE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE RADIO ONLY RECEIVED ONE CHANNEL. IN ADDITION, THE MOON ROOF MADE A GROANING NOISE AND OPENED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #10335086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE EXPLODED RELEASING SEATBELT, STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SIDE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10247456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I AM AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM NUMEROUS TIMES BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO INFORM THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, ONLY TO BE TOLD MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT OR GIVE MY ONE THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. MY VEHICLE IS STILL DEFECTIVE TO THIS DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10197185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED; ALONG WITH THE 'SERVICE AIR BAG' MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10161634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10105399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.