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2006 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cts years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 42 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports2 fire reports11 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

87 reports
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50,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MODULE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MODULE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10809415

172,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790135

41,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10777465

85,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR DASH & RADIO APPEARED 6/24/2015. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BAYVIEW CADILLAC, FT. LAUDERDALE. FL ON 6/27/2015. I WAS ADVISED THAT PROBLEM WAS THAT AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PRICE OF $800. FURTHER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH…

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THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR DASH & RADIO APPEARED 6/24/2015. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BAYVIEW CADILLAC, FT. LAUDERDALE. FL ON 6/27/2015. I WAS ADVISED THAT PROBLEM WAS THAT AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PRICE OF $800. FURTHER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH THE SERVICE TECH DESCRIBED AS "PILLOW LIKE," PROBABLY HAD A KINK IN IT. THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V105000), HOWEVER, BOTH BAVIEW CADILLAC AND GM RECALL CENTER ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SPOKE TO GM RECALL CENTER AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE NUMBER 71-1494438978. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD OFFER NO RELIEF ON REPAIR COST. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $800 ON A NON MECHANICAL, WARNING LIGHT ISSUE. I WILL MOST LIKELY ATTEMPT TO DISABLE THE WARNING LIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH LOCAL AND CENTRAL GM/CADILLAC PERSONNEL THAT THE AIRBAG IS STILL OPERATIVE DESPITE THE MALFUNCTIONING WARNING LIGHT. BECAUSE NHTSA PUBLIC INFO DOES NOT PROVIDE VIN #'S, RATHER THE TERM "CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES," I MUST DEPEND ON GM'S HONESTY ... WHICH I DO. MY REASON FOR REGISTERING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT IS TO ALERT NHTSA THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES MAY BE INVOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10731432

107,245 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON TODAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ?

NHTSA ODI #10726128

104,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725372

95,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND BATTERY SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10721968

35,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

I WAS NUMBER 6 OF PERSONS TO HAVE A SEVERE ROLLOVER WRECK IN THE SAME SPOT. IN A CURVE, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT T THE LIP OF A 3 FOOT DEEP CONCRETE CULVERT IN A DRIVEWAY. IT WAS 9 INCHES FROM THE ROAD EDGE. IT FLIPPED OVER FRONT TO ON ROOF. I WAS TRAPPED IN CAR.MY FRONT AIRBAG PARTIALLY OPENED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP MY FACE A…

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I WAS NUMBER 6 OF PERSONS TO HAVE A SEVERE ROLLOVER WRECK IN THE SAME SPOT. IN A CURVE, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT T THE LIP OF A 3 FOOT DEEP CONCRETE CULVERT IN A DRIVEWAY. IT WAS 9 INCHES FROM THE ROAD EDGE. IT FLIPPED OVER FRONT TO ON ROOF. I WAS TRAPPED IN CAR.MY FRONT AIRBAG PARTIALLY OPENED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP MY FACE AND CHEST AREA FROM HITTING AND BREAKING THE STEERING WHEEL. NO OTHER OF 7 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. EVERY WINDOW, INCLUDING SUNROOF WAS TOTALLY BROKEN OUT. BOTH FRONT SEATS WERE CRUSHED INTO THE FLOOR AND TOO HOT TO TOUCH.. SINCE IT OCCURRED IN THE COUNTRY, I WAS SAVED BY THE NEIGHBORS CALLING FOR HELP.ONSTAR FAILED TO NOTIFY ANYONE AND THE FIRE/EMT MAN SAID CAR WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM GOING UP IN FLAMES. MY IMPLANTS WERE BOTH RUPTURED BY HITTING STEERING WHEEL AND FACE CUT UP AND BRUISED BY GLASS AND LACK OF FULL EMPLOYMENT BY DRIVER AIRBAG. I HAVE PHOTOS SHOWING CAR AND AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG WAS PRISTINE CLEAN WITH 2 LARGE TORN HOLES. NO SMOKE OR DUST OFF ANY TYPE. I STILL HAVEN'T DRIVEN IN 21/2 YEARS. PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR OPINION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706258

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPINE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPINE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10692630

58,000 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10679930

Official recalls

6

14V542000 · 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.

10V644000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Dec 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Jan 25, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

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

3

EQ11001 · Iee Passenger Sensing System Mats

Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Jul 19, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold.If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger airbag could become disabled.Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.This issue was assigned recall number 10V-644.On February 8, 2011, RMD mailed an information request (IR) letter to IEE requesting a list of purchasers for any company that was sold the same or similar defective mats.RMD also requested IEE supply the year, make and models of compatible vehicles for each of the mats it listed in its response.IEE responded on February 15, 2011, reporting that the mats recalled in GM recall 10V-644 were developed specifically for the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.IEE noted that, ...the CTS Sensor Mat is not the same or similar to any other sensor mat manufactured by IEE.IEE further explained that the sensor mats were sold to Lear Corp. (Lear), for incorporation into seat assemblies, with the seat assemblies finally being sold to GM.Also, some sensor mats were sold to Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, LLC (IMA) who would then re-sell the mats to GM to use as service parts.Ultimately, these parts were all sold to GM for use in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles.According to its 10V-644 Defect Report, GM reported that some vehicles outside the recall population have ...significantly lower incident rates and will be provided a special coverage.This special coverage includes a free repair should the same issue occur to non-recalled 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles up to 10 years or 120,000 miles.On April 7, 2011, RMD mailed an IR letter to GM to gather more information on GM's decision to only recall a portion of the vehicles that contained the subject IEE mats.RMD also requested that GM provide updated to current warranty claims, field reports, and other field information for CTS vehicles both recalled and those under the special coverage.On May 19, 2011, GM responded with a letter and several CD attachments that were submitted to NHTSA's Office of the Chief Counsel along with a request for confidentiality.GM confirmed that the IEE mats recalled in 10V-644 were only used in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.GM also explained its reasoning in only recalling a portion of the CTS vehicles containing IEE mats.Due to various production phases, error detections, and false corrections, certain vehicles were more prone to mat failures than other vehicles.GM identified 4 distinct seat assembly production periods and chose to recall CTS vehicles depending on which seat assembly each vehicle received.Examining the data submitted in regards to warranty claims, field reports, and incidents, the CTS vehicles that were included in the safety recall were responsible for about 80% of the overall claims.CTS vehicles included in the special coverage (essentially an extended warranty), those with seat assemblies from other identified production phases, were responsible for about 20% of the overall claims.As GM has provided clear data to support its recall decision and since no other manufacturer has installed these same or similar passenger sensing system mats / seat assemblies in their vehicles, this Equipment Query is satisfied.This EQ is cl

EA07017 · 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.