Two problems related to front suspension lower ball joint have been reported for the 2004 Cadillac CTS. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Cadillac CTS based on all problems reported for the 2004 CTS.
Upon completion of an interstate highway trip at highway speeds, I pulled into my driveway and came to an involuntary dead stop with a loud noise with the rh front end resting on the wheel. The suspension on the ground. The nut retaining the lower ball joint was missing. The rh sides of front end collapsed on r front wheel. . 2004 Cadillac Cts. Earlier models had factory recall for same loose nut not this model. Front end collapsing on front wheel at high speed is guaranteed catastrophe. If a nut is relied on to retain ball joint, that nut must be positively prevented from loosening by hole thru both nut and bolt, with cotter pin through holes. No such basic safety in evidence. Design flaw catalytic Cts 2004 and earlier modelsa also suspected. Used to be loose lips sink ships - now - loose nuts kill people. Bad bad bad.
: the contact stated while pulling into the driveway under normal road conditions at 10 mph, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. There was no prior warning before the incident occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the cause of the problem was due to the nut holding the bolt of the lower front ball joints was missing. The vehicle was repaired and no further problems occurred. The contact wrote the manufacturer a letter pertaining to the problem that occurred, and had not received a reply as of yet. Updated 10/30/06.