VehicleVerdict

2003 Cadillac CTS electrical system problems

The 2003 Cadillac CTS has 87 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

87

Electrical System complaints

19%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

What owners report

THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN HE PROCEEDED AND BEGAN TO SKID ON UNSEEN ICE AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWED: AIR BAGS, ABS BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 5, 2002 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA has 87 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical system — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Cadillac CTS electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 14V394000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.