2004 Cadillac CTS
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2004 Cadillac CTS.
Recalls on the 2004 Cadillac CTS
Fuel system: fuel pump
In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Electrical system: ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system.
Service brakes: hoses
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY…
3 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 229 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2004 Cadillac CTS at a glance
- Trims
- BaseCTS-V
- Engine
- 3.2L 6-Cylinder, 3.6L 6-Cylinder, 5.7L 8-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd, Manual 6-spd
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- Sedan
Other Cadillac CTS years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2004 Cadillac CTS?
Owners have filed 229 complaints about the 2004 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA, most often about the power train. There are 6 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2004 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 6 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2004 Cadillac CTS?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2004 Cadillac CTS listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.