2004 Cadillac Cts Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Cts.

20032005
Complaints
294
Crashes
33
Fires
1
Injuries
32
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2004 Cadillac Cts Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#134 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:91,998 mi
#232 complaints

Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit

Avg mileage:21,644 mi
#321 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:91,958 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Cadillac Cts.

Electrical Faults
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
91,998
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
21,644
Brakes
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
91,958
Airbags
18
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
72,167
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
84,319
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
57,291
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
92,503
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
69,881
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
71,006
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,483
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
27,707
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
113,250
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc)
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac Cts. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Cadillac Cts

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~703,464 vehicles.

14V542000Fuel Pump
~10,005 affected

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.

14V394000Electrical System:ignition
~554,328 affected

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.

10V105000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~139,131 affected

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.

Other Cadillac Cts Years

2004 Cadillac Cts — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Cadillac Cts reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Cadillac Cts has 294 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 34 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Cts?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (34 complaints, avg 91,998 mi); Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit (32 complaints, avg 21,644 mi); Brakes (21 complaints, avg 91,958 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Cadillac Cts?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 70,138 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Cadillac Cts?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Cts include 33 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 32 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 703,464 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Cadillac Cts?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Cadillac Cts reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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