The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
78 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 BMW 3 Series 532004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2004 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2004 Cadillac CTS
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 50,000–83,000 miles (80,000–134,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm8 complaintsmostly at 8,100–170,000 miles (13,000–274,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 4,800 and 22,000 miles (7,700–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 78 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 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V394000 (electrical) and 10V105000 (brakes) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 566 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Loss of drive or reverse, loss of transmission fluid, noise when shifted into drive or reverse”?
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 78 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 4K to 22K miles (8K to 35K km) on the car (56 of all 78 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
2004 Cadillac CTS having problems with rear differential.
2004 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10118973
More owner reports
The rear end in my 2004 CTS becomes prematurely unusable after normal use. I am on my second rear end, and it to now needs to be replaced. Three rear ends within 21,000 miles is premature as well as unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint 10149584
Brakes stopped working got into accident ... Airbags never went off
NHTSA complaint 10174263
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 566 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Loss of drive or reverse, loss of transmission fluid, noise when shifted into drive or reverse
- Ls6 6sp manual transmission cts-v driveline clunk during low speed manuevers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
- 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…
Show all 6 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IG…
- Steering · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL.
- Seats · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGA…
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
Government investigations
- ClosedRear drivetrain component failure2007–2008
- ClosedFailure of the rear differential2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,400 (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, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 160; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 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 2004 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (42%), airbags (14%) and suspension (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
6 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac CTS get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,800 and 22,000 miles (7,700–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 78 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 42% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
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