IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2004 Cadillac Cts
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cts years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
580–25K
2625–50K
2450–75K
3175–100K
24100–150K
9150K+
172 reports with mileage · 52 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports1 fire reports21 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsI WAS NOTIFIED BY U.S. MAIL FROM GENERAL MOTORS ON 9/19/2014 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL NOTICE #14172. THE LETTER STATED THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. LETTER ALSO STATED THAT I WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY CADILLAC DEALER TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED. NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. THE DEALER …
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I WAS NOTIFIED BY U.S. MAIL FROM GENERAL MOTORS ON 9/19/2014 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL NOTICE #14172. THE LETTER STATED THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE. LETTER ALSO STATED THAT I WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY CADILLAC DEALER TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED. NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY DID NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENTS FOR THE REPAIR. THIS LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS, DATED SEPTEMBER 2014, AND SIGNED BY [XXX], VICE PRESIDENT - GLOBAL SAFETY IS VERY MISLEADING AND APPARENTLY CONTAINS FALSE INFORMATION. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS BY TELEPHONE @ 1-800-458-8006 AND THE AGENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS CONFIRMED THAT THE LETTER CONTAINED FALSE INFORMATION. SINCE HUMAN LIVES ARE AT RISK CONCERNING THE RECALL, I FEEL THIS IS A MISTAKE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE CORRECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRIPLE A WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY TIGHTENING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRIPLE A WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY TIGHTENING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE COMPUTER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE COMPUTER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/26/14*CN UPDATED 10/5/2015*JS
MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT INVOLVE A CRASH, IT INVOLVES GM'S PERFORMANCE IN ITS RECALL # N140172, NHTSA RECALL # 14V394, ISSUED 7-21-2014. 1. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE COME YEARS EARLIER. 2. GM AS OF NOW HAS NO REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT & CANNOT TELL ME WHEN IT WILL. 3. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT…
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MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT INVOLVE A CRASH, IT INVOLVES GM'S PERFORMANCE IN ITS RECALL # N140172, NHTSA RECALL # 14V394, ISSUED 7-21-2014. 1. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE COME YEARS EARLIER. 2. GM AS OF NOW HAS NO REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT & CANNOT TELL ME WHEN IT WILL. 3. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL ON GM'S WEBSITE 8/22/14. I HAD CHECKED IN EARLY JULY & WEBSITE SHOWED NO RECALL. 4. GM WILL NOT GIVE A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL DEFECT IS REMEDIED. AND ADVISES ONLY TO REMOVE ALL FROM IGNITION KEY, ADJUST SEAT & STEERING COLUMN TO GET KEY AWAY FROM KNNE, BUT THIS MEANS AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY TOWARD MY HEAD RATHER THAN MY CHEST. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE IGNITION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. ONCE WHEN I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY WAS LOCKED, VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, & I WAS TOLD A BAD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. SINCE PURCHASE, IGNITION HARD TO GET INTO LOCK POSITION SO KEY CAN BE REMOVED. DAILY I HAVE HAD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK & BACK INTO PARK, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. ALSO, THE ANTI- THEFT SERVICE SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DOORS TO UNLOCK A SCREW DRIVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. ALSO, THE ANTI- THEFT SERVICE SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DOORS TO UNLOCK A SCREW DRIVER WAS USED TO RELEASE THE MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME (APRIL 29TH 2013), THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV SCREEN. KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND REINSERTED. AFTER TURNING THE KEY, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME (MAY 3RD 2013), THE CAR WAS…
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THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME (APRIL 29TH 2013), THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV SCREEN. KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND REINSERTED. AFTER TURNING THE KEY, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME (MAY 3RD 2013), THE CAR WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AGAIN. THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT* WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV DISPLAY. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY AND REINSERTING THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME OF THIS WEBSITE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE INCIDENT WITH CADILLAC CORPORATE. A REP FROM CADILLAC WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. SAID THAT I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK BETWEEN 5/6/2013 AND 5/9/2013 WITH THE OPTIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM BOARD RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ECM BOARD WAS $800.00. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD NOT START. AND THE SAME MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE, FROM WHEN IT …
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2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM BOARD RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ECM BOARD WAS $800.00. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD NOT START. AND THE SAME MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE, FROM WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.
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. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE HAVING THE CAR ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START. THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK, THE FIRST TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS TESTED WE WERE T…
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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. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE HAVING THE CAR ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START. THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK, THE FIRST TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS TESTED WE WERE TOLD IT WAS FINE. THE OTHER TIMES IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. NO CLEAR EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN FOR THE BREAKDOWN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT CAR GOES DEAD THE DASH PANEL IS BLACK AND SILENT. THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. *TR
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 TURNED KEY ON AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON AND EVERYTHING LIT UP AGAIN... IF ENGINE WOULD OF STOPPED THIS COULD OF CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Official recalls
614V542000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 9, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.
14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 2, 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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
10V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 17, 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, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
05V024000 · Air Bags
Jan 20, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
04V273000 · Steering:linkages
Jun 9, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
03V346000 · Seats
Sep 29, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. A SEAT WITH ONLY ONE TAB ENGAGED OR NEITHER ENGAGED WOULD NOT MEET THE STATIC REARWARD LOADING TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS ARE FULLY SEATED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-800-458-8006.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA07017 · Rear Drivetrain Component Failure
Opened Dec 7, 2007 · Closed Jul 16, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
IN JULY OF 2007 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE07-037 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAY FAIL CAUSING A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, AND IN SOME INSTANCES A LOSS OF CONTROL, IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS, CTS-V, AND STS VEHICLES.AS A RESULT OF THAT INVESTIGATION GM ISSUED RECALL 07V-589 TO CORRECT A LEAKING PINION SEAL PROBLEM.EA07-017 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSINGS OR REAR HALF SHAFTS IN HIGH PERFORMANCE CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO GM, THESE FAILURES RESULTED FROM THE CUMULATIVE DAMAGE FROM MULTIPLE POWER HOP EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR DURING VERY AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. IN FEBRUARY 2008 INVESTIGATORS FROM ODI MET WITH GM REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT TESTING OF THE SUBJECT CTS-V VEHICLES.DURING THE TESTING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO CONSIDERABLE TORSIONAL FORCES FROM STANDING STARTS AND WHILE DRIVING.POWER HOP OCCURRED DURING SOME OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE TESTING DID NOT RESULT IN FAILURE OF ANY REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS.THE ENGINEERING DESIGN AND TESTING DATA SUPPLIED TO ODI BY GM AND THE RESULTS OF THE TESTING CONDUCTED BY ODI TEND TO SUPPORT GM'S POSITION THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL DESIGN IS NOT DEFECTIVE. COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT DO NOT INCLUDE THOSE INDICATIVE OF FAILURE OF THE REAR PINION SEAL IN CTS-V VEHICLES COVERED BY RECALL 07V-589. FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential
Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.