NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
49 reportsClear category filter69,800 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Engine
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IF THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY. CADILLAC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IF THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY. CADILLAC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THEY ISSUED TBS BULLETIN 11340C SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR TIMING CHAIN WEAR AND EXTENDED IT TO INCLUDE 2009 CTS VEHICLES UNDER 120.000 MILES. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE BULLETIN CADILLAC INFORMED ME THAT ONLY CERTAIN VIN'S ARE COVERED UNDER THAT SPECIAL BULLETIN. I BELIEVE THAT CADILLAC IS BEING DECEPTIVE IN THEIR DEALINGS AND ALL VIN NUMBERS WITH TIMING CHAIN WEAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE.THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF TIMING CHAIN WEAR WAS NEVER DISCLOSED BY THE SALESMAN OR THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. EVIDENTLY THEIR WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT CRAIN GMC 710 S AMITY RD. CONWAY, AR 72032 877-302-8551.
NHTSA ODI #11229552
59,824 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Engine
TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING WHEN CAR IS OFF. ( I COULD ONLY HERE IT WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP 2 YEARS IN A ROW. THIS YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THEY REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. I PUT IT ON THE FREEWAY AN…
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TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING WHEN CAR IS OFF. ( I COULD ONLY HERE IT WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP 2 YEARS IN A ROW. THIS YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THEY REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. I PUT IT ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT A BURNING SMELL WITH BLACK SMOKE AND A NOISE. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE CLOSED. HE WOULD NOT TAKE MY CAR BACK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. HE JUST WORK THE DESK. HE SAID IF YOU HERE A NOISE BRING IT BACK. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I HEARD A NOISE BUT IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE THE SAME NOISE. SOUND LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND A HOSE OR SOMETHING. I ASKED THE MANAGER WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE IT WHEN I ALREADY PAID FOR ONE JUST A MONTH OR SO EARLIER. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. THEN SEVERAL DAYS LATER I NOTICED I HAD A LEAK. THIS TIME THEY SAID I NEEDED A HEAD GASKET. AT THIS POINT I AM TRYING TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE GIVE ME THEIR OPINION. IT HAS 60,000 MILES I MADE A BIG MISTAKE AND FORGOT TO ASK FOR THE OLD PART. BUT HAD HE LOOKED AT MY CAR WHEN IT WAS SMOKING I WOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT KNOW I FEE.
NHTSA ODI #11228446
128,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
TAKARA RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN ON 2009 CADILLAC CTS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WONT COVER IT. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA ODI #11196867
140,000 miles · Mar 18, 2019
Engine
ERROR CODES RELATED TO TIMING CHAIN ARE ON THEREFORE IT NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT LOOKS LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11189789
109,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
EngineService BrakesSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES TO MCELWAIN MOTOR CAR COMPANY CHEVROLET (812 BEAVER AVE, ELLWOOD CITY, PA 16117, (724) 824-1223) DUE TO THE WHEELS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES TO MCELWAIN MOTOR CAR COMPANY CHEVROLET (812 BEAVER AVE, ELLWOOD CITY, PA 16117, (724) 824-1223) DUE TO THE WHEELS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND BRAKE SYSTEM CORRODING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OUT OF FEAR THAT IT MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE LAST TIME THE DEALER DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR TSB: 11340C (SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT TIMING WEAR) EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 120,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE DEALER MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO COVERAGE OF THE SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT CAMPAIGN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #11184300
35,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Engine
P0008 WARNING LIGHT ON WHEN DRIVING MECHANIC SAYS NEED TIMING CHANGE REPLACED DEALER SAYS THAT 11340CREPAIR FOR 2009 CADILLACS DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER CAR CAR WAS RUNNING WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON
NHTSA ODI #11161992
66,010 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Engine
IN LATE AUGUST 2018, AT OR ABOUT 66,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR WENT TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. CODES THAT WERE READ WERE; P0008 & P0017 INDICATING A TIMING CHAIN WEAR ISSUE. TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT A PERSONAL COST OF $2281.83. THE DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER INFO…
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IN LATE AUGUST 2018, AT OR ABOUT 66,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR WENT TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. CODES THAT WERE READ WERE; P0008 & P0017 INDICATING A TIMING CHAIN WEAR ISSUE. TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT A PERSONAL COST OF $2281.83. THE DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER INFORMED ME THAT THIS VIN # WAS NOT COVERED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 11340C SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT, WHICH SUPPOSEDLY COVERED 2007-2009 CADILLACE CTS VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE MONUMENTAL SAFETY ISSUES IF THE TIMING CHAIN WERE TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING THE VEHICLE AND OCCUPANTS DANGEROUSLY EXPOSED TO A TRAFFIC COLLISION. CAR 3WAS IN MOTION WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI #11132729
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING AT 40 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING AT 40 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (LARSON CADILLAC, 6411 20TH ST E, FIFE, WA 98424, (253) 777-0271) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11130349
107,250 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Engine
MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO PULLED CODES P0008, P0017, P0018 WHICH ARE ALL RELATED TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. I BECAME AWARE OF TBS BULLETIN 11340C ' SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT ' TIMING CHAIN WEAR WHICH WAS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 2009 CADILLAC CTS WITH LESS THAN 120K MILES (MY CAR HAS 1…
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MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO PULLED CODES P0008, P0017, P0018 WHICH ARE ALL RELATED TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. I BECAME AWARE OF TBS BULLETIN 11340C ' SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT ' TIMING CHAIN WEAR WHICH WAS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 2009 CADILLAC CTS WITH LESS THAN 120K MILES (MY CAR HAS 107250) I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT CADILLAC IS ONLY COVERING VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN VIN'S IN WHICH MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. THEY STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED LATER IN THE MODEL YEAR WITH AN IMPROVED TIMING CHAIN. CLEARLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE. THIS IS A $2000 REPAIR THAT CADILLAC CLEARLY STATES COVERS VEHICLES OF THE MODEL YEAR BUT THEN THEY DON'T COVER IT AFTER LOOKING UP YOUR VIN. HERE IS A LINK TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10043857-8663.PDF HERE IS AN ADDL LINK TO MANY WHO'VE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND NOT RECEIVED COVERAGE. HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CADILLAC/CTS/2009/ENGINE/ENGINE-2.SHTML SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS IT'S A VERY SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICE. CADILLAC CLEARLY KNOWS THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #11121623
82,000 miles · Mar 9, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF PLYMOUTH (40475 ANN ARBOR ROAD, PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN 48170, (734) 453-7500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF PLYMOUTH (40475 ANN ARBOR ROAD, PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN 48170, (734) 453-7500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY TIMING BELT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #11078304
Official recalls
5Jul 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.
Feb 11, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Sep 13, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Jun 4, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Nov 5, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 12,662 MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A SOFTWARE CONDITION WITHIN THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAY DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED OR ENABLE IT WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED, INCREASED PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗