2004 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners have filed 294 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac CTS. Drivetrain & axles is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come brakes (14%) and electrical system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 294 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 33 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 32 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 54,000 miles 227 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 54 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 35 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 34 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 25 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 26 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 18 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 13 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 11 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 7 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 227 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 54,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 22,000 miles (42 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 33 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 32 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the Cadillac CTS with enough data (132 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt*: the contact stated while accelerating at 10MPH from a stop light the vehicle was hit on the passenger side. The side air bags did not deploy causing injury to the three occupants of the vehicle. The seat belts were worn and a police report was filed. The insurance agency deemed the vehicle totaled.
Dt*: the contact stated the transmission became stuck in reverse while backing out of a parking space. The vehicle excessively increased in speed without warning, spun three times and collided with a parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, and both passengers incurred pinched nerve injuries and mild spinal injuries in the collision. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer where only the body of the vehicle was repaired.
I have a 04 cadilliac cts that caught fire under the hood while parked. The car is totaled. There were only 60,000 miles on the car and it ran ok . My warranty was up a month before this happen I filed a complaint but no one is calling me back to view the vehicle or offer any assistance.
If you turn to the right at a slow speed to stop or park the brakes gives out. The wipers start and stop at times in the off position.