VehicleVerdict

2004 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 294 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median CTS year — the 2004 model ranks #5 of 17 CTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 32 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (56), electrical system (45), and brakes (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

294

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

32

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission5619%
Electrical System4515%
Brakes4114%
Airbags269%
Body & Structure186%
Engine176%
Suspension165%
Steering145%
Tires & Wheels145%
Speed Control114%
Lighting93%
Fuel System93%
Latches & Locks52%
Seat Belts41%
Other41%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seats21%

Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V542000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2014 · 10,005 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Consequence

If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

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.

10V105000BrakesMarch 17, 2010 · 139,131 units

Defect

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, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence

THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

05V024000AirbagsJanuary 20, 2005 · 87,000 units

Defect

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 IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

Consequence

A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

04V273000SteeringJune 9, 2004 · 41,928 units

Defect

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. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.

Consequence

IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

03V346000SeatsSeptember 29, 2003 · 6,771 units

Defect

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 ENGAGED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. A SEAT WITH ONLY ONE TAB ENGAGED OR NEITHER ENGAGED WOULD NOT MEET THE STATIC REARWARD LOADING TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS ARE FULLY SEATED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-800-458-8006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

REAR PINION SEAL FAILED AND REAR AXLE LOCKED UP. LOST CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2005 AND NEWER CTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000, GM RECALL NO. 07204) BUT NOT MY 2004 WHICH HAS AN IDENTICAL REAR MAIN SEAL. THE PART NUMBER USED IN THE RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2015 · crash

WHEEL HOP OR AXLE TRAMP CAUSED THE REAR TO LOSE TRACTION AND THE STABILITY TRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE AXLE TRAMP IS A SEVERE BANGING OF THE REAR WHEN THERE THROTTLE IS APPLIED TO THE CAR. THE REAR SPUN AND CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT A GUARD WALL.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 25, 2005 · crash

BRAKE FAILURE IN CADILLAC CTS I HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION IN A PDF THAT EXPLAINS OUR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS DOCUMENTS MULTIPLE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS. HOW DO I SEND IT TO YOU? THE BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMPLETELY FAILING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 2, 2010 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED, HOWEVER THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA # 05V024000 FOR THE AIR BAG…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 12, 2006 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT WAS BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RETIGHTEN THE COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 28, 2011

2004 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 294 complaints put the 2004 model at #5 of 17 CTS years. It is one of the CTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (56 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), brakes (41 complaints).

Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

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.