2004 Cadillac CTS problems and complaints

Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac CTS. The most-reported areas: Power Train (52), Service Brakes (44), Electrical System (35).

Key takeaways

  • 229 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 26 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 25 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train5223%
Service Brakes4419%
Electrical System3515%
Air Bags2611%
Suspension188%
Structure177%
Steering167%
Hydraulic167%
Engine And Engine Cooling125%
Vehicle Speed Control115%
Wheels83%
Exterior Lighting73%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2004 Cadillac CTS 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train - filed 2024-09-25

The output shaft flange for the transmission that mounts to the driveshaft coupler the flange starts to break away and then breaks . I can provide photos but the metal on the part is close the the end and if I did not find this problem by mistake the drive shaft would have came free

Steering,suspension,wheels - filed 2024-09-02

I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the...

Steering,suspension,wheels - filed 2024-07-15

Recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadilla...

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More for the 2004 Cadillac CTS

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.