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2003 Cadillac CTS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 CTS.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2003 Cadillac CTS arrives as a passenger car equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 16 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined mpg, while its engine calls for 5.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. In the model's complaint history spanning 2003 through 2019, this inaugural year stands as the peak with 321 owner complaints — more than forty times the 2018 low of eight — driven primarily by electrical system reports and accompanied by four recalls. That concentration of early issues positions the 2003 CTS as the reliability benchmark against which later model years improved, making it a critical reference point for assessing the platform's durability trajectory.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2013 2012 2011 2010 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 101 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 88894390. Note the factory fuel filter, spark plug and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 101 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	88894390 alt 24415391
Engine air filter	25798270
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	24425327 discontinued
Battery	88864066
Front wiper blades	12487638 alt 12487636
Serpentine belt	19355373
Thermostat	24420653 discontinued · alt 55353494
Cabin air filter	19130403

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.2 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	113.8 in
Curb weight	3571 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	100 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CTS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2003 3.2 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	220 hp	RWD
2003	3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6	7.20 sec	15.40 sec	220 hp	RWD
2003	3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	220 hp	RWD
2004	3.6 Sedan 3.6L V6	6.40 sec	14.92 sec	255 hp	RWD
2004	3.6 Sedan 3.6L V6	6.60 sec	14.99 sec	255 hp	RWD
2005	2.8 Sedan 2.8L V6	8.20 sec	15.80 sec	210 hp	RWD
2008	3.6 DI Sedan 3.6L V6	5.80 sec	14.60 sec	304 hp	RWD
2008	3.6 DI Sedan 3.6L V6	6.10 sec	14.70 sec	304 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 6.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.7 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.1 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.1 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	6.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Bosch
Spark Plug Type	FGR8KQE0
Spark Plug Gap	0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	19.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	101
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-225 °F
RPM	49-55 rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	13-15.5 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Oil Pressure	21.7 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	96 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 88 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.267 in / 1.023 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.267 in / 1.023 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.209 in / 0.944 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	18 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	15

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Cadillac CTS exhibits the highest volume of complaints in the provided record at 321, which is significantly higher than the 229 complaints reported for 2004. Across the first generation (2003–2009), there is a general downward trend in complaints while Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) steadily increase from 528 in 2003 to 1,248 by 2009. Positioned at the start of this arc, the 2003 model year has fewer recalls (4) than the subsequent 2004–2007 period, where each year saw 7 recalls. Top complaint areas for 2003 include the Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, and Engine & Engine Cooling, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. With 29 crash complaints and 12 fire complaints, this year represents the peak of consumer dissatisfaction in the series. Given that it has the highest complaint volume of the generation, this is not a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

528

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

321

Owner complaints

29 involved a crash · 12 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 321 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System28

Exterior Lighting26

Engine & Engine Cooling24

Air Bags23

Service Brakes, Hydraulic16

Power Train15

Steering14

Engine13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V394000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 02/07/2014

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… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

10V105000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 17/03/2010

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… Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 528 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
23-NA-001	2025-03-28	Electrical System	This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CTS. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 101 battery Vehicles taking 5.1 qt Engine oil filter 88894390 Engine air filter 25798270 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 24425327

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 CTS take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 CTS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CTS get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.