The Lemon Index
20041st generation
99 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 BMW 3 Series 782003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452003 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Cadillac CTS
- Engine stalling35 complaintsmostly at 63,000–104,000 miles (101,000–167,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion16 complaintsmostly at 70,000–86,000 miles (113,000–138,000 km)
- Headlights12 complaintsmostly at 8,300–49,000 miles (13,000–79,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 313 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Cadillac CTS (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 26,000 miles (13,000–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 45 complaints, of all 99 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V394000 (electrical), 10V105000 (brakes) and 03V250000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 506 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may comment that the oil canning/popping noise can be heard coming from the rear”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 99 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 26K miles (13K to 42K km) on the car (45 of all 99 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Headlights project a black bar at night across roadway, making it difficult to see and obstructs street signs. Talked to dealer several times about this problem but was told that nothing could be done about it.
2003 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10169873
More owner reports
(1) flickering display lights; buzzing when turn signal engaged; battery died after 30,000 mile maintenance; eight [8] consecutive times of "engine hot--ac turned off" on dic--last time with check engine light on display.
NHTSA complaint 10096506
The car stalls at 25 mph to 45 mph, over 20 occurances, dealer attempted 3 repairs. Dt
NHTSA complaint 770030
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 506 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment that the oil canning/popping noise can be heard coming from the rear
- Concerns about abnormal upper engine lifter tick noise
- An abnormal louder upper engine lifter tick noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
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, MASSACHUS…
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE ME…
Show all 4 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2003
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT MAY BE LOOSE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2003" title="Cadillac CTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-cts/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Cadillac CTS reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 139; 100 is average, lower is better). 2003 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws a bit over half as many complaints as the average car. The Cadillac CTS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (15%), lights (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac CTS get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 26,000 miles (13,000–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 45 complaints, of all 99 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?
3.2L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2003?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works