Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
224Complaints
6Recalls
25Crashes
1Fires
25Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (15.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
34 · 15.2%
Recalled
Recall 14V394000
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
32 · 14.3%
Investigation closed
EA07017 · PE07037 → recall 07V589000
Service Brakes
21 · 9.4%
Recalled
Recall 10V105000
Air Bags
18 · 8%
Recalled
Recall 05V024000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12 · 5.4%
Recalled
Recall 10V105000
Power Train
12 · 5.4%
Investigation closed
EA07017 · PE07037 → recall 07V589000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 224 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I PURCHASED A 2004 CTS IN MAY OF 2007. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE IS NOW 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10345307 — filed 07/26/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 55 MPH LOST ALL POWER EXCEPT ENGINE POWER. ALL DASHBOARD FEATURES CD POWER AND TIME. I HAVE PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF ROAD…”NHTSA complaint 10314988 — filed 02/28/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHILE DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC, LOST POWER IN ALL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, AIR CONDITIONER, DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS). LUCKILY CAR KEPT GOING. DROVE OFF…”NHTSA complaint 10236778 — filed 08/03/2008 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac CTS?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 224 NHTSA complaints (15.2%), followed by power train:driveline:differential unit (32), service brakes (21), air bags (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have?
224 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 25 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V542000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Cadillac CTS's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.