2003 Cadillac CTS vs 2003 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Cadillac CTS | 2003 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 313 | 628 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 505 | 213 |
| Investigations | 0 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 29 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 12 | 94 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19 | 20–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 73,319 mi | 59,200 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Cadillac CTS | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38 | 131 |
| Electrical System | 56 | 90 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 137 |
| Seats | 3 | 97 |
| Exterior Lighting | 37 | 39 |
| Power Train | 25 | 35 |
| Air Bags | 36 | 23 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 25 | 28 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 36 | 75 |
| Rust / corrosion | 16 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 15 | 18 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 24 |
| Airbag warning light | 6 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 5 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 29 |
| Oil consumption | 5 | 0 |
2003 Cadillac CTS
2003 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Cadillac CTS vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.