NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
21 reportsClear category filter112,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
I OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID AROUND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED A LARGE BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE HARD BRAKE LINE GOING TO CALIPER AND THE FLEXIBLE LINE THAT GOES TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. DURING REMOVAL, THE INTERFACE COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS IS EXACTLY THE FAILUR…
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I OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID AROUND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED A LARGE BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE HARD BRAKE LINE GOING TO CALIPER AND THE FLEXIBLE LINE THAT GOES TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. DURING REMOVAL, THE INTERFACE COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS IS EXACTLY THE FAILURE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN RECALL: REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAR 17, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V105000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC YET FOR SOME REASON, THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES SOLD AND REGISTERED IN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STATES. THIS BRAKE LINE OBVIOUSLY IS FAILING ON VEHICLES REGISTERED IN OTHER STATES. THE PART ON MY CAR WAS WITHIN SEVERAL CYCLES OF COMPLETE FAILURE, WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT LOSS OF BRAKING AND A CRASH. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART AND CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS OR MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644215
77,354 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Service Brakes
NOTICED PUDDLE ON GARAGE FLOOR SO MOVED CAR OUT ON DRIVEWAY AND FOUND THAT IT WAS OIL ON FLOOR. WENT BACK TO CAR AND THERE WAS A WET SPOT BEHIND WHEEL ON DRIVERS SIDE. MOVED CAR BACK AND IT WAS OIL. MADE DECISION TO GO TO CLOSEST PLACE TO HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED THAT I TRUSTED AND WENT TO BIG O TIRE. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE BRAK…
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NOTICED PUDDLE ON GARAGE FLOOR SO MOVED CAR OUT ON DRIVEWAY AND FOUND THAT IT WAS OIL ON FLOOR. WENT BACK TO CAR AND THERE WAS A WET SPOT BEHIND WHEEL ON DRIVERS SIDE. MOVED CAR BACK AND IT WAS OIL. MADE DECISION TO GO TO CLOSEST PLACE TO HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED THAT I TRUSTED AND WENT TO BIG O TIRE. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE BRAKE WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO STOP CAR. THE CHECKED AND SAID THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY REPLACED THEM. LOOKED UP WHAT HAPPENED ON INTERNET AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM BUT, ONLY FOR STATES WITH HEAVE WINTERS. I LIVE IN KENTUCKY AND THERE WAS NOT RECALL FOR MY AREA. I LISTED SPEED ABOVE AT 10 THIS IS WHAT SPEED I DROVE AFTER FINDING PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639701
75,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Service BrakesCrash
AS I MAKE SHARP TURNS WHILE ON MY BRAKES, MY CAR MAKES A NOISE NEAR THE TIRE AREA AND DOES NOT STOP AND THEN ABS INDICATOR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I AM TRYING TO TURN INTO SPACES GOING 1-2 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO GET OFF OF THE BRAKES AND THEN PRESS THEM AGAIN S…
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AS I MAKE SHARP TURNS WHILE ON MY BRAKES, MY CAR MAKES A NOISE NEAR THE TIRE AREA AND DOES NOT STOP AND THEN ABS INDICATOR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I AM TRYING TO TURN INTO SPACES GOING 1-2 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO GET OFF OF THE BRAKES AND THEN PRESS THEM AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES OR TO HIT AN OBJECT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT SPECIALIZE IN BRAKES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BRAKES THEMSELVES ARE FINE. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS STARTED, I HAVE HIT A TRASH CAN AND SEVERAL CURBS. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, BUT NO MECHANIC, INCLUDING CADILLAC GM MECHANICS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HIT ANY PERSON OR ANY PERSON'S PROPERTY DUE TO THIS FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND A FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632255
122,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesTraction Control System
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
NHTSA ODI #10631925
156,366 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes
THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES BLEW OUT OF THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLOWING OUT ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FRONT TIRES, FRONT BRAKES, AND ONTO THE ROAD. I SAW ON SOME FORUMS, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CADILLAC CTS. AND I WASN'T SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD FILED A COMPLAINT. I…
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THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES BLEW OUT OF THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLOWING OUT ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FRONT TIRES, FRONT BRAKES, AND ONTO THE ROAD. I SAW ON SOME FORUMS, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CADILLAC CTS. AND I WASN'T SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD FILED A COMPLAINT. IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT A SAFE SITUATION TO BE IN. TO BE HONEST, I HAVE OWNED/DRIVEN A NUMBER OF CARS, STARTING FROM A 1950 CHEVY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE COOLER LINES BLOWING OUT OF THE RADIATOR IS NOW A PROBLEM. NONE OF MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WERE DEFINITELY NOT IN ANY KIND OF PRISTINE CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595466
50,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Service BrakesVisibility/wiper
IF YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT AT A SLOW SPEED TO STOP OR PARK THE BRAKES GIVES OUT. THE WIPERS START AND STOP AT TIMES IN THE OFF POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594806
115,438 miles · May 17, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO DRIVEWAY BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST INDICATOR CAME ON THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP RIGHT THEN. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592186
40,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Service Brakes
HI EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND STOP WORKING. WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR DRIVEWAYS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKES A LITTLE LIKE IF THE BRAKES ARE TRYING TO WORK BUT DON'T. THIS ONLY HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR SI…
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HI EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND STOP WORKING. WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR DRIVEWAYS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKES A LITTLE LIKE IF THE BRAKES ARE TRYING TO WORK BUT DON'T. THIS ONLY HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR SINCE I HAD THE CAR AND SINCE THEN HAD MANY PARTS REPLACED BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO COME BACK. I DID SEARCHES ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND READ THAT ONE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM WHERE MOST DEALERSHIPS HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND MANY PEOPLE JUST REPLACING PARTS AFTER PART WITH THE SAME ISSUE COMING BACK. THIS TO ME IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE DURING THOSE TIMES YOU CAN NOT STOP THE CAR AND IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. I ALSO SEEN PEOPLE MAKING REPORTS TO THIS WEBSITE AND FIGURED I WOULD DO THE SAME SINCE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ITS MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491443
21,047 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheels
MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100…
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MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100 TIMES ON THIS AND OTHER WEB SITES: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/29 PLEASE CHECK THESE POSTS SINCE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHICH (AS STATED IN ONE OF THE POSTS) VERY WELL COULD BE A FAILURE IN THE DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN SOME OF THE WIRING HARNESSES CONNECTING THE EBCM TO THE SPEED SENSORS THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. WHATEVER THE CAUSE, ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT ANY BRAKE TROUBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES. THIS IS A DEADLY FLAW AND I EXPECT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO IT, EDUCATE DEALERS AND OWNERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477006
79,495 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Service Brakes
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT(ALMOST STOPPED) THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND, A VIBRATING BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS ONLY HAPPENING ON RIGHT TURNS AND VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ON LINE ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND CADILLAC DEALERS BEING …
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WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT(ALMOST STOPPED) THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND, A VIBRATING BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS ONLY HAPPENING ON RIGHT TURNS AND VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ON LINE ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND CADILLAC DEALERS BEING UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DIAGNOSE THE TRUE PROBLEM. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/50. I AM GOING TO LOOK INTO THE WIRE HARNESS ISSUE DISCUSSED ONLINE MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468933
Official recalls
6Sep 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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