RoadVitals

2004 Cadillac CTS Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Feb 18, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 224 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Cadillac CTS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 18, 2018

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR IS USED BUT EXCELLENT CONDITION AND RECENTLY PURCHASED. I FELT A JOLT GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT AND CAR WILL NOT START, ALL BATTERIES COME ON, EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS

NHTSA ID
11073444
Incident
Feb 17, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2016

2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE WAS EITHER REPLACED OR SERVICED SIX TIMES. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 45- 50 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10692444
Incident
Sep 4, 2009
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 6, 2015

I HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC CTS I HAVE REPLACED THE ECM, THROTTLE BODY 3 TIMES, GAS PEDAL, WIRING HARNESS FOR THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION WILL BE LEARNED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN MY VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL CAR ACCIDENTS. I HAVE TRIED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AS WELL. I DON'T WANT TO LET THIS VEHICLE GO BUT THIS ISSUE WILL NOT STOP. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I NEED IT FIXED BEFORE ME OR ONE OF THE OTHER GM OWNERS LOSE THEIR LIVES.

NHTSA ID
10780095
Incident
Oct 6, 2015
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Nov 26, 2013

WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS (TYPICALLY OVER 30 MPH) THE "STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGED" MESSAGE COMES ON AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT WITH A WEIRD NOISE. THIS IS REALLY SCARY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. NO RECALL EXISTS AND THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE FOR TWO YEARS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED HOW TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THIS PROBLEM BY HOLDING DOWN THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS NO REAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SINCE IT HAS TO BE DONE EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553874
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 26, 2013

HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A PSSHHH SOUND AND CRUISE CONTROL BROKE VIOLENTLY AND SMELLED BURNT RUBBER WITH SMOKE COMING FROM BACK END OF CAR. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CAR SMOKE FROM BACK END AND SMELL ONLY INCREASED. THOUGHT FOR SURE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. WALKED AROUND CAR AND NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRES. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR PLACE AND AM TOLD THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. I HAVE SINCE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND MANY, MANY FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL BUT A CERTAIN RECALL FOR 2005 MODELS. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AND I FEEL BOTH FORTUNATE AND UPSET WITH GM THAT SUCH A PROBLEM HAS BEEN SO COMMONLY NOTED BUT WITH NO "REAL" RESOLVE. THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE HAS CALLED AROUND AND THIS IS A SPECIAL PART THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN MY STATE AND A NEW ONE COSTS AN ESTIMATED $1,200. WITH SO MANY ISSUES WITH MODELS 2004-2006 HOW COME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 2004 AND ONLY A LESSER DEGREE OF A RECALL FOR 2005? *TR

NHTSA ID
10553873
Incident
Nov 25, 2013
Mileage
175,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 25, 2012

MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100 TIMES ON THIS AND OTHER WEB SITES: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/29 PLEASE CHECK THESE POSTS SINCE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHICH (AS STATED IN ONE OF THE POSTS) VERY WELL COULD BE A FAILURE IN THE DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN SOME OF THE WIRING HARNESSES CONNECTING THE EBCM TO THE SPEED SENSORS THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. WHATEVER THE CAUSE, ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT ANY BRAKE TROUBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES. THIS IS A DEADLY FLAW AND I EXPECT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO IT, EDUCATE DEALERS AND OWNERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10477006
Incident
Sep 13, 2012
Mileage
21,047 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 2010

MY CADILLAC '04 CTS HAS A BRAKE ISSUE. WHEN TURNING SHARP AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES "DISENGAGE" AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND I CAN'T DUPLICATE IT AT WILL. IT JUST HAPPENS. I HAVE FILED A CASE WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AM TAKING TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361668
Incident
Oct 18, 2010
Mileage
76,000 mi
Driver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed Jul 19, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 9/22/10 THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A HESITATION AND SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY CLEANING THE AIR INTAKE THAT HAD AN OILY DIRTY FILM ON IT. UPDATED 09/24/10 UPDATED 04-14-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW BEAMS ARE POORLY ILLUMINATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10344071
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 5, 2010

ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY OF 2007, SEPTEMBER 2008, JUNE 2008 AND MARCH 2010, MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS'S RPM FLUCTUATED FROM 1 TO 3 AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10317258
Incident
Feb 15, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported

COME TO STOP SIGN PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. INSTEAD OF STOPPING CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED UNTIL IT WITH THROUGH NEIGHBORS BARN. TOTALLED VEHICLE. PASSENGER VERIFIES BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED DURING THIS INCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10185049
Incident
Nov 3, 2006
Mileage
23,353 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. ALSO, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE TWICE AND THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HARNESS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10169594
Incident
Sep 29, 2006
Mileage
37,000 mi
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Apr 29, 2005
Crash reported

WHEEL HOP OR AXLE TRAMP CAUSED THE REAR TO LOSE TRACTION AND THE STABILITY TRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE AXLE TRAMP IS A SEVERE BANGING OF THE REAR WHEN THERE THROTTLE IS APPLIED TO THE CAR. THE REAR SPUN AND CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT A GUARD WALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118695
Incident
Apr 25, 2005
Mileage
7,400 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 13, 2005

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACKING SYSTEM ENGAGED ON ITS OWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10117797
Incident
Apr 10, 2005
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2005
Crash reported

VEHICLE HAS TWICE ACCELERATED FORWARD UPON BRAKING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. FIRST TIME WAS IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, SLOWED TO A CRAWL WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THEN SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD, HITTING THE CAR PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED, BUT EXPERIENCE VERY FRIGHTENING. SECOND TIME WAS RETURNING FROM DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP BEHIND A GROUP OF CARS AT THE STOP LIGHT, BRAKES APPLIED TO SLOW THE CAR TO A CRAWL, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SURGES FORWARD. UPON SLAMMING BRAKE FULLY TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE STOPPED, MISSING HITTING THE CAR AHEAD AND STOPPED BY ONLY INCHES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, WHICH KEPT THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND, SUPPLYING A LOANER CAR. CALLED DEALERSHIP MONDAY AFTERNOON. TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN A TOTAL OF 80 MILES OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RECREATED. THE TROUBLE IS, IT WAS ALMOST 450 MILES BETWEEN THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRENCE AND THE SECOND ONE. THEY WERE ALMOST ONE WEEK APART. NOW I AM TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT SINCE THE COMPUTER FOUND NO DEFECTS OVER THE WEEKEND, MY CAR IS READY FOR ME TO DRIVE. I NOW HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. I TOLD THEM I WANTED A PIECE OF PAPER STATING THE CAR WAS FREE OF DEFECTS, SO WHEN THIS OCCURS AGAIN, I WILL BE NOTIFYING MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WE WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST THIS DEALERSHIP IF ANY DAMAGE RESULTS FROM ANOTHER OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE. I AM ALSO GOING TO REQUEST THE DEALERSHIP TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO STAY HOOKED UP TO THE CAR FOR AT LEAST A WEEK WHEN I GO TOMORROW TO PICK UP THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10114442
Incident
Mar 11, 2005
Mileage
22,700 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Nov 3, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES,THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND RAN INTO A GLASS WINDOW. NO INJURIES. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB SIERRA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT. *TC

NHTSA ID
10096881
Incident
Oct 14, 2004
Mileage
58,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Aug 16, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10081770
Incident
Jul 5, 2004
Mileage
232 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .