2004 Cadillac CTS Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 25, 2024 · 224 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CTS years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 17 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac CTS. That ranks 4th out of 17 CTS model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (52 complaints, 23%), typically at around 20,050 miles. Complaints mention 25 crashes, 1 fire, 25 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Cadillac CTS
2014 Cadillac CTS photographed in Pointe-Claire , Quebec , Canada .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 Cadillac CTS problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train52 · ~20,050 mi
Electrical System34 · ~91,438 mi
Air Bags26 · ~41,000 mi
Service Brakes21 · ~95,500 mi
Structure17 · ~47,500 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16 · ~47,750 mi
Suspension16 · ~17,572 mi
Steering14 · ~65,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling12 · ~61,971 mi
Vehicle Speed Control11 · ~54,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train problems5223%20,050“rear differential” (40%)—
Electrical System3415%91,438——
Air Bags2612%41,000——
Service Brakes219%95,500——
Structure178%47,500——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic167%47,750——
Suspension167%17,572——
Steering146%65,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling125%61,971——
Vehicle Speed Control115%54,000——
Wheels84%35,524——
Exterior Lighting73%82,325——
Tires63%31,005——
Engine52%109,000——
Latches/locks/linkages52%24,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)42%130,000——
Fuel/propulsion System42%91,014——
Fuel System, Gasoline42%50,000——
Seat Belts42%78,547——
Traction Control System42%87,500——
Unknown or Other31%74,500——
Electronic Stability Control21%7,400——
Interior Lighting21%37,176——
Seats21%———
Service Brakes, Electric21%75,500——
Visibility/wiper21%62,500——
Equipment10%———
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%———
Fuel System, Other10%———
Service Brakes, Air10%11,750——
Visibility10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2006, with 29 complaints
2003: 3200332004: 22222005: 172005172006: 29292007: 7200772008: 17172009: 2200922010: 22222011: 112011112012: 772013: 102013102014: 26262015: 142015142016: 13132017: 5201752018: 882019: 3201932020: 332022: 1202212024: 44

n = 224 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Cadillac CTS recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpSep 9, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V542000 · 10,005 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:ignitionJul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 17, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V105000 · 139,131 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The brake hose-tube interface may rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance may occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Air bagsJan 20, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V024000 · 87,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A person positioned for driving may receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkagesJun 9, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V273000 · 41,928 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

SeatsSep 29, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V346000 · 6,771 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In some crash conditions, the seat could pivot rearward and its occupant or a rear seat occupant could be injured more severely.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Rear drivetrain component failure (EA07017) — opened Dec 7, 2007, closed Jul 16, 2008.
  • Failure of the rear differential (PE07037) — opened Jul 17, 2007, closed Dec 27, 2007, led to recall 07V589000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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

Power Train · received Sep 25, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11616522

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…

Wheels · received Sep 2, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11612149

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…

Wheels · received Jul 15, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11602467

fuel pump was failed replaced under recall back in 2016. Now again the fuel pump has failed again vehicle stalled. Please have GM repair it again under previous recall remedy. Please see attached photo

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jun 2, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11591966

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the ignition failure required her to contact roadside assistance to jump start the battery. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The…

Electrical System · received Apr 20, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11461459

Other Cadillac CTS years

← 2003 CTS · 2005 CTS →

See all Cadillac CTS problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

Similar Cadillac models

Embed this 2004 Cadillac CTS badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac CTS?

Owners most often report power train, electrical system, air bags problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 52 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Cadillac CTS a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CTS model years, the 2004 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.