FaultScore

2003 Cadillac CTS brake problems

49 of the 450 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS are about the braking system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.

D

49

Complaints

4

Crashes

2

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 21 42.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 11 22.4%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 7 14.3%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2 4.1%
Rotor 2 4.1%
Caliper 2 4.1%
ABS Warning Light 1 2.0%
Pads 1 2.0%
Service Brakes, AIR 1 2.0%
Rotor 1 2.0%

Brakes across every Cadillac CTS year

2003 49 17.4%
2004 41 14.5%
2005 36 12.8%
2006 59 20.9%
2007 59 20.9%
2008 24 8.5%
2009 14 5.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Twentynin Plms, CA Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

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 [XXX] call/ text INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11516158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Princeton, KY

SERVICE BRAKES

THERE IS A OPEN RECALL EFFECTING THIS YEAR & MAKE ALTHOUGH MY VIN SAYS THERE'S NO RECALLS ON MY CTS. I HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WE DIDN'T WRECK. I'VE SINCE HAD BOTH REPAIRED. CURIOUS AS TO KNOW WHY CAR WAS NOT LISTED WITH OPEN RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11339640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles Flint, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CHECK BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), WHICH HE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA complaint #11278555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 185,000 miles Antioch, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ALSO, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE "REMOVE KEY" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE DOOR LOCK AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WINTER CHEVROLET (3750 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565, (925) 232-0290) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES, KEY, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA complaint #11271664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,992 miles Stockton, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11133455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Louisville, KY Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND THE LOW BRAKE FLUID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TIRE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REFILL THE BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA complaint #11111750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,473 miles Keswick, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

CUSTOMERS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP, 3 MILE TRIP, FLUID WAS LOW, P/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN AND BUSTED LEAKING FLUID, D/S FRONT HOSE WAS SWOLLEN. LOSS OF BREAKING CONTROL EVIDENT WHILE PULLING CAR INTO SHOP. CONTACTED DEALER TO CHECK ON RECALL, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ALL SIGNS, INCLUDING VIN BREAK WERE THE SAME. REPAIR IS BEING DONE IN FACILITY, NOT UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10810684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,578 miles Upper Marlboro, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIANS THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,578.

NHTSA complaint #10782325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Sioux Falls, SD

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #10746770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,909 miles Mission Viejo, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

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. WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO MARVIN K. BROWN AUTO CENTER ABOUT A MILE AWAY AND IT WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AND $500.00 FOR A STEERING SENSOR REPLACED. THEN IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AND THE CTS WAS TAKEN TO TUSTIN CADILLAC AND THEY TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS AFTER SPENDING 2 DAYS AT THE DEALER AND $1700.00 LATER THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE NOT ONLY THE LEFT FRONT BUT NOW IT IS THE RIGHT FRONT. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AT ANYTIME AT ANY SPEED. THIS LAST TIME IT FELT LIKE THE LEFT REAR ACTIVATED, THE CAR GOT OUT OF CONTROL EVERY ONE AROUND ME BACKED OFF. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH THE LOCKING OF LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TIRES AND IT DOES SAY DING AND READ " CHECK STABILITY SYSTEM" THIS CAR IT NO LONGER SAVE TO BE DRIVEN AND I WAS TOLD THE LAST PART TO FIX IT IS "OBSOLETE" THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DISABLE THE "STABILITY SYSTEM" BY UNPLUGGING THE FUSES ON IN THE TRUNK ON UP FRONT.

NHTSA complaint #10745675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

NOTICED OIL PUDDLE UNDER VEHICLE WHICH LEAD TO DISCOVERY OF TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN DISCUSSED WITH DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED "SO WHAT I HAVE A DENALI AT HOME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM". GM OFFERED NO RELIEF OR SOLUTION WHEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10671216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10643887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Methuen, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH BECAME INOPERABLE, AND THE BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #10640447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Selma, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND AVOIDED ROLLING AWAY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10640181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Richmond, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER WAS CORRODED AND DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #10595080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Richmond, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER WAS CORRODED AND DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #10595080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Omaha, NE Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

MY CAR FAIL TO STOP ON THE INTERSTATE I-80 CAUSED A CRASH . WITH ALOT INJURY ON MY BODY .

NHTSA complaint #10534098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Bethesda, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS MORNING WHEN I BACKED MY CTS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT TO GO TO WORK I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE A LITTLE SOFT. I THEN PARKED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD TO LOOK AT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND NOTICED IT WASN'T COMPLETELY FULL BUT THERE WAS STILL A SUFFICIENT LEVEL OF FLUID. I THEN LOOKED AT THE GROUND AND NOTICED A LINE OF LIQUID THAT TRACED MY MOVEMENT BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND THEN BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT, THIS LIQUID WAS BRAKE FLUID. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE AT HAVING A SECOND GM VEHICLE WITH A BRAKE LINE FAILURE 30 DAYS AFTER EXPERIENCING A BRAKE LINE FAILURE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY 40+ YEARS OF DRIVING AND OWNING VEHICLES. THE FIRST WAS A 2001 TAHOE WHICH I REPORTED LAST MONTH TO NHTSA AND WHICH COST ME OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. AFTER WORK THIS EVENING I EXAMINED THE CTS AND DISCOVERED EXTREME CORROSION IN THE TWO BRAKE LINES RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE CORROSION IS WORST WHERE THE LINES RUN BEHIND THE RADIATOR AND IT APPEARS BOTH LINES HAVE FAILED. THE LORD MUST HAVE BEEN LOOKING OUT AFTER ME BECAUSE LAST NIGHT I DROVE 37 MILES FROM BALTIMORE ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD THE BRAKES FAILED THEN I IMAGINE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SPECTACULAR ACCIDENT ON I-95 THAT MAY HAVE TAKEN MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS. GM RECALLED THE CTS FOR BRAKE LINE CORROSION BY THE CALIPERS WHERE THE LINE CONNECTS INSIDE A RUBBER PIECE. NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING BRAKE LINE CORROSION ON 1999 TO 2003 FULL SIZE GM TRUCKS AND PICKUPS AND I SUGGEST THE INVESTIGATION BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL GM VEHICLES OF THIS VINTAGE AS IT APPEARS GM USED AN INFERIOR GRADE OF STEEL IN THEIR BRAKE LINES IN ALL OF THE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10533781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING WAS FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER OF THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEFECT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/05/13

NHTSA complaint #10515949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE BRAKES SEEMED TO JERK A LITTLE AND THE CAR LOST MOST OF IT'S POWER. I HAD A MECHANIC TEST IT, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A REASON FOR IT. THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON, BUT I DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS LATER WHEN I WAS GOING 70 DOWN THE HIGHWAY, LOST ALL POWER AND THE MOTOR SHUT DOWN. CADILLAC WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OVER 2 HOURS BACK HOME, ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS TIME THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND THE MOTOR IS BLOWN SINCE THESE CARS HAVE INTERFERENCE MOTORS WHICH CAUSES THE VALVES TO GET BENT WHEN THE TIMING BELT BREAKS. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND WAS ALMOST IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE LIGHT COVER FROM THE LIGHTS ON THE TRUNK CAME OFF IN THE CAR WASH AND BROKE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE YET CADILLAC REFUSES TO FIX IT. THEIR ADHESIVE WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ON THE PLASTIC. THIS WAS MY FIRST CADILLAC, AND WILL BE MY LAST. THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THEIR FAILURES.

NHTSA complaint #10503607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles Clive, IA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART WAS NOT BEING MANUFACTURED BY THEM ANY LONGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #10481407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles SAN TAN Valley, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

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. I TOLD THE OFFICE ITS THE CODE THAT COMES UP ON MY SCREEN AND IT MAKES MY CAR HALT WHILE DRIVING AND I CAN NOT CONTROL IT. HE STATED THAT ITS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND IF ANOTHER OFFICER WAS ON DUTY THEY MIGHT IMPOUND MY CAR DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD BUT HE WOULD GIVE ME A CHANCE TO TAKE IT HOME TO GO TO THE SHOP. I AM ALMOST CLOSE TO TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND BUYING A NEW ONE, BUT NOT A CTS. IF CADILLAC CAN'T SOLVE THIS, THE CREATOR, WHO CAN? I AM SCARED I'M GOING TO VEER OFF THE FREEWAY OR HIT A CAR ON THE WAY TO WORK. I DRIVE AN HOUR TO AND FROM WORK EVERYDAY AND MY SAFETY IS THE UTMOST CONCERN TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA complaint #10468366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Chesterfield, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE BRAKING FOR SOME SLOW TRAFFIC, I FELT A POP FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONLY HAVING ABOUT 25% USE OF THE BRAKES I HAD TO PULL OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE CONNECTION. WHEN HE CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE THE FITTING SNAPPED IN HIS HAND. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY CADILLAC DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT THIS RECALL. AFTER TALKING TO CADILLAC THEY DID CONFIRM THAT THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I NOW HAVE TO TAKE THE PARTS TO A GM DEALER ALONG WITH MY REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE 4 WEEKS TO BE REIMBURSED.

NHTSA complaint #10450806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Prestonsburg, KY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I PURCHASED MY NEW 2003 CTS IN 2002 AT PIKEVILLE, KY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE CTS RECALL 10V105000 (GM RECALL NO. 09149) THAT INVOLVES THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES RUPTURING DUE TO ROAD SALT CORROSION. HOWEVER, THE STATE OF KY IS NOT COVERED. WE HAVE ROAD SALT HERE AS WELL. PIKEVILLE IS JUST 20 MILES FROM WV AND IT IS COVERED THERE. MY VIN FALLS WITHIN THE GUIDELINE. IN 2007 BEFORE THE RECALL IT HAPPENED TO ME HERE IN KY AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE A CRASH. SINCE PIKEVILLE IS SO CLOSE TO WV AND MY EMPLOYER IS THERE, I AM IN WV A LOT. I FEEL THAT CADILLAC SHOULD HONOR ME AS WELL!!! HOWEVER, GM REFUSES TO HONOR THE RECALL SINCE I MEET EVERY REQUIREMENT EXCEPT THE STATE. SINCE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND I CRASHED, GM SHOULD REPAIR MY HOSES UNDER THE RECALL. I AM SURE THAT IF I DECIDED TO PURSUE LITIGATION, I WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL NOW THAT GM HAS ADMITTED TO THE PROBLEM. THE SIMPLE FACT THAT I RESIDE IN KY IS THE ONLY REASON THAT I CANNOT REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE RECALL. ROAD SALT IS THE SAME IN KY AS IT IS IN WV. CORROSION IS CORROSION. I HAVE PURCHASED OVER 15 NEW GM VEHICLES DURING MY LIFETIME AND AM A DEDICATED GM OWNER. I CURRENTLY OWN 4 GM VEHICLES. I AM RESPECTFULLY ASKING CADILLAC/GM TO OFFER ME THE RECALL AS WELL SINCE I FALL WITHIN THE VIN RANGE AND MY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO WV. AS A MATTER OF FACT, KY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL AS ALL THE SURROUNDING STATES ARE ALSO UNDER THE RECALL. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A NEW CAMARO, BUT IF THIS IS GM'S WAY OF TREATING DEDICATED CUSTOMERS - I MAY RETHINK THAT. LET'S SEE....CADILLAC HAS ADMITTED TO THE CORROSION ISSUE - I HAD THE ISSUE AND CRASHED AS A RESULT - WONDER HOW THAT WOULD COME OUT IN FRONT OF A JURY? ALL I ASK FOR IS FOR CADILLAC/GM TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKE HOSES UNDER THE RECALL....

NHTSA complaint #10446633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Brunswick, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

2003 CADILAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TWO DAYS LATER. ALSO, THE STRUTS, THREE WHEEL BEARINGS, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND GAS TANK, WHICH WAS LEAKING HAD TO REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10438430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Laquinta, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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. I TOOK THEM INFORMATION I HAD FOUND ON THE WEB ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHECKED THEIR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR A PROBLEM. IT WAS FIXED BY CHANGING A STEERING SENSOR AT A COST OF $430.

NHTSA complaint #10418844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,225 miles Bradenton, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V10500 RE; CADILLAC CTS MODELS BRAKE LINE CORROSION PROBLEMS DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN SCOPE, IN MY OPINION. OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2003 CTS HAD NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL. IN FACT, BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND CADILLAC CORPORATE CUST SERVICE SAID THEY SHOWED THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VECHICLE. BEING SKEPTICAL OF THAT ASSERTION BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD SPENT IT'S FIRST TWO YEARS IN CONNECTICUT ON LEASE, I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THEY FOUND (AND I WITNESSED) THE BADLY CORRODED BRAKE HOSE FITTINGS. AS THE MECHANIC PUSHED ON THE L.H. RUBBER SLEEVE COVERING THE HOSE TO METAL TUBE JUNCTION TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE HOSE SEPARATED FROM THE TUBE !! THIS WITH ONLY THE PRESSURE APPLIED WITH ONE FINGER !! WE WERE ONE HARD BRAKING APPLICATION FROM A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT !! BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN, AND THOSE ARE THE METAL TUBING LINES IN THE FRONT OF THE CHASSIS THAT ARE PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING ( AND ANTI-SKID) SYSTEMS. MANY OF THESE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, MAKING THEM AS MUCH A CONTRIBUTOR TO BRAKE FAILURE AS THE HOSES.! I BELIEVE THESE LINES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL OR EXPANSION OF THE HOSE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10376656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,225 miles Bradenton, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V10500 RE; CADILLAC CTS MODELS BRAKE LINE CORROSION PROBLEMS DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN SCOPE, IN MY OPINION. OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2003 CTS HAD NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL. IN FACT, BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND CADILLAC CORPORATE CUST SERVICE SAID THEY SHOWED THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VECHICLE. BEING SKEPTICAL OF THAT ASSERTION BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD SPENT IT'S FIRST TWO YEARS IN CONNECTICUT ON LEASE, I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THEY FOUND (AND I WITNESSED) THE BADLY CORRODED BRAKE HOSE FITTINGS. AS THE MECHANIC PUSHED ON THE L.H. RUBBER SLEEVE COVERING THE HOSE TO METAL TUBE JUNCTION TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE HOSE SEPARATED FROM THE TUBE !! THIS WITH ONLY THE PRESSURE APPLIED WITH ONE FINGER !! WE WERE ONE HARD BRAKING APPLICATION FROM A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT !! BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN, AND THOSE ARE THE METAL TUBING LINES IN THE FRONT OF THE CHASSIS THAT ARE PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING ( AND ANTI-SKID) SYSTEMS. MANY OF THESE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, MAKING THEM AS MUCH A CONTRIBUTOR TO BRAKE FAILURE AS THE HOSES.! I BELIEVE THESE LINES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL OR EXPANSION OF THE HOSE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10376656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,576 miles BAY City, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. FOLLOWING REPAIRS, THE ABNORMAL NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BEFORE DETERMINING IF THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,576 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #10350829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ponce, PR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

2003 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE; ESPECIALLY ON THE GAS AND BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA complaint #10347673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Cadillac CTS problems

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