2004 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners have filed 294 complaints about the 2004 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 19% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 11.6%.
Complaints294
Crashes33
Fires1
Injuries32
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 19.0% · 56
Electrical system 11.6% · 34
Air bags 8.8% · 26
Service brakes 7.1% · 21
Structure 6.1% · 18
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.8% · 17
Suspension 5.4% · 16
Steering 4.8% · 14
Severity
Of those complaints, 33 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 32 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Cadillac CTS in this data, 2004 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 53,751 miles.
In owners' own words
Have a noise in rear-end when accelerating up to speeds. When letting up on accerlator noise quits, but as soon as I give it gas it hums( like) very loud. Have had two Cadillac dealers check it and told not to worry about it nothing is wrong and that , that' is the characteristic of the 2004 CTS. This is hard for me to believe since I have had 8 Cadillac over the years and have never had a problem of this nature. Power train · reported at 800 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, it reversed four feet before coming to a complete stopped. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000. Power train · reported at 7,000 miles
The rear differential in my 2004 Cadillac CTS-v had been whining and grinding for about 5500 miles (starting when the car had 9000 miles on it). The differential fluid had been changed three (3) times in 4000 miles and the problem was not solved. Finally, took the car to the dealership with 14500 miles and Cadillac agreed to change replace the differential with the 2006 part. Power train · reported at 14,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…