2003 Cadillac CTS Consumer Reviews

Downhill at 48,000 miles

Written by: A. Smith on 05/15/2008

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

After the warranty was up all the transmission shift patterns were off, transmission was shifting hard including downshifting. Multiple computer problems and codes(at one trip to the dealer stated more than 10 at once)that after supposedly fixing 4 different times still do not know what the problem is. The engine light will come on and the display will read enine power reduced, the car will still be running but you push the gas pedal and there is no response. After that happens you have to turn the car off to reset it even if your on the freeway. Now in addition the service airbag message appears. Also there is a loud humming coming from the rear end. Not enough space to list all the problems

Favorite Features

It's American

Suggested Improvements

Transmission, computer, Engines.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Meant To Be Driven Until End of Warranty!

Written by: wm on 04/06/2008

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

The cts is absolutely the sexiest car I've ever driven. Bought it used w/ 35k - certified. Styling, comfort and handling were outstanding. Consistently 30 mpg hgwy! I drive 30k a year, but I baby my cars... Many annoying little things (costly w/o warranty): oil leak, sunroof Glass, loose interior panels, tie rods all before 60k. Worse off at 90k: 2 thermostats. As soon as the warranty ended (a month later): coolant check valves and hoses, head gaskets, rear bearings, etc. "certified" is the best! Buy this car because it's excellent... Trade it before the warranty is up... I took a $12k loss and went back to Japanese quality. FYI even the base model accord offers the same options as a CTS.

Favorite Features

great gas mileage. great factory tire/brake life. exceptionally fun to drive. tilt passenger mirror! sexy inside and out. tons of programmable gadgets and monitors.

Suggested Improvements

performance severely dampens with mileage. build a better/less complex cooling system.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Beware of High Repair costs

Written by: slim_257 on 10/12/2007

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Just a word to the wise. Cadillac patented all parts for this car right down to the battery. There is a microchip in the battery that ensures you buy an AC delco. I had to have some repairs done on the head gasket seals and the power steering had a leak, and the repairs cost over $2,300 just for those two. If you are thinking about buying a CTS and expect to "trick" the car by buying other parts, just look for a different car because I had the battery replaced with a non-AC Delco battery and the car didn't detect the microchip and told OnStar I stole the vehicle and they disabled the car until I replaced it with good old AC Delco. If you are rich, this is a good car for you.

Favorite Features

Performance. Fuel ecomomy

Suggested Improvements

Ride stinks. Small trunk Tires followed ruts made by semi trucks. Front seat has to be all the way forward to fit a car seat in back with the growth on the back of the front seats

9 out 11 people found this review helpful

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A great car

Written by: Bray on 07/13/2007

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This car has been a great car, except for the replacing of the struts, $800, and then the brake light on the trunk $300. I would reccomend this car to anyone. For being a V6 it gets good gas mileage, and for an '03 it still looks the new style.

Favorite Features

The exterior, the sunroof, and the Bose sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Make the interior of the car a little more tough. If you hit something on the dash it just breaks off.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Good sports sedan value

Written by: Austin TX Caddy on 05/07/2007

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Chose the CTS as a pre-owned car, fully loaded with Bose/Luxury package. Overall, it's a nice car that drives as well (if not as tautly) as my previous BMW. More car for the money, and a very good used car deal.

Favorite Features

Styling, handling, ride

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love My CTS

Written by: Jazzmon on 05/02/2007

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

My overall impression is very good and consider it a great value for the money. It does handle like a dream. Brakes are excellent. Best car I've ever driven in the rain, solid feel. High intensity headlights are great. Fuel economy 20 city, 28 highway is a pleasant suprise, especially at today's prices. I would like more horsepower but find the 220hp engine acceptible. Would seriously consider another when the time comes.

Favorite Features

Sport shift selection.

Suggested Improvements

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Reliability Less Than Expected

Written by: Alan on 02/15/2007

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

As soon as I reached the end of the 4 year warranty, my CTS has been nothing but trouble. I have been to the repair shop so often, the customer service reps recognizes my voice and asks "What now?". Since the 1st of October the right engine gaskets failed at 48,000 miles. Then in November and December there were electrical problems with OnStar and the brake and tail lights. In January '07 it was the left side engine gaskets. Now in February the air bag service warning light is on. GM will go bankrupt fixing these cars with the longer warranty period. All I can say to prospective buyers is "BEWARE".

Favorite Features

None

Suggested Improvements

Design and build a car that is highly reliable and lasts move than 48,000 miles.

19 out 25 people found this review helpful

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Safe Used Car

Written by: Steve on 12/30/2006

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

When looking for a used car for our daughter, we selected a used CTS. Our feeling that it is the best buy for the money. It provides more value than anything new in our budget. It gets 27 mpg on the road. The CTS has a very solid ride, great brakes, and it delivers outstanding performance in sport mode that rivals anything on the road today. We are tall and the higher roof line is important. The trunk is OK, but another couple inches in length here would be better.

Favorite Features

The performance, economy, stopping ability, and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Give it a larger trunk.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Mysterious Noise

Written by: William Strachan on 12/20/2006

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I love my car, however since the first time I drove it above 60 MPH there was an extreme howling noise that appears to come from either the sunroof or somewhere across the dash board. After several test drives especially with hearing challenged mechanic a new differential was installed with no luck. The noise sounds like a cross between a worn bearing or a strong wind across some metal vanes. It gets progressively loud when the outside winds are anywhere from 15 to 20 MPH or my vehicle speed reaches 60 mph and above. It's unbearable when ever I take a trip on the road. I have to turn the music up in order to drown out the sound.It's a shame that mechanics are not troubleshooters.

Favorite Features

The styling, handling, and power,

Suggested Improvements

Redesign the rack and pinion assembly. Mine failed too soon to be acceptable. Also the ride is harsh due to the gas cartridges failing in the suspension system.

5 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Gary on 11/25/2006

Vehicle

2003 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5M)

Review

My faith in GM has been rebuilt with this car. The overall quality is excellent, it is fun to drive, it is economical and, it is high dependable. I now have 65,000 trouble free miles on it. Yes, I do have wind noise from the sunroof but that is it for negatives.

Favorite Features

The exterior styling.

Suggested Improvements

Add lumbar support.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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