NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
28 reportsClear category filter106,000 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Power Train
CTS TIMING CHAIN BAD - ENGINE CODES P0008 & P0017 COMING UP - WAS TOLD BY CADILLAC OF LAS VEGAS THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS ISSUE, BUT FOR SOME REASON, MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. REGARDING TSB 11340 (NHTSA REFERENCE- 10043857), WHICH STATES, "IF PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIMING CHAIN OCCURS ON YOUR 2007 MODEL …
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CTS TIMING CHAIN BAD - ENGINE CODES P0008 & P0017 COMING UP - WAS TOLD BY CADILLAC OF LAS VEGAS THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS ISSUE, BUT FOR SOME REASON, MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. REGARDING TSB 11340 (NHTSA REFERENCE- 10043857), WHICH STATES, "IF PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIMING CHAIN OCCURS ON YOUR 2007 MODEL YEAR GMC ACADIA; SATURN OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 MODEL YEAR CADILLAC CTS 2009 MODEL YEAR 2009 EQUIPPED WITH A 2.8L/3.6L V6 ENGINE, WITHIN 10 YEARS OF THE DATE YOUR VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES (193,000 KM), WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, THE CONDITION WILL BE REPAIRED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE" OUR 2009 CADILLAC CTS WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUE MENTIONED IN THE BULLETIN, BUT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY CULPABILITY IN THE MATTER, DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING WITHIN THE PARAMETERS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE BULLETIN. WE ASK FOR ANY AND ALL ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. A QUICK SCAN OF THE INTERNET SHOWS A LARGE NUMBER OF GM VEHICLE OWNERS WITH VEHICLES THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE TSB THAT WERE BEING DENIED SERVICE. IF A COMPANY MAKES A CLAIM, IT SHOULDN'T BE DONE AS A PR GESTURE WITH NO ACTION BEHIND IT. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO LIVE UP TO THEIR WORDS AND BACK THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLES THAT THEY HAVE SOLD.
NHTSA ODI #11018739
110,000 miles · Apr 18, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE FLUID, O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE FLUID, OUTPUT SHAFT, GASKET INFIELD, FLUID TRANSMISSION DEX6, AND THE SHOT SUPPLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. ..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10979127
101,088 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Power Train
AT 101,000 MILES MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS AWD STARTING TO "THUMP" WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR VICE VERSA. IT ALSO DID IT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON A THURSDAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY AT THE DEALER. ON MY WAY TO THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON…
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AT 101,000 MILES MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS AWD STARTING TO "THUMP" WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR VICE VERSA. IT ALSO DID IT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON A THURSDAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY AT THE DEALER. ON MY WAY TO THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ONE MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO COME AND GET ME WHEN I COULD SEE THE BUILDING FROM WHERE I BROKE DOWN. I HAD TO CALL A WRECKER TO BRING THEM THE CAR. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AND IT WOULD COST ME 3995 TO REPAIR IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE CAR WASN'T WORTH THE INVESTMENT. I HAD ONSTAR FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY DIAGNOSTIC WARNINGS REGARDING MY TRANSMISSION. I ALSO TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR SERVICE. NEVER WAS I INFORMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL. IN FACT, THE CAR HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER AT 98000 MILES FOR SERVICE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS AT THAT TIME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT DIE AT 101,000 MILES. THE FACT THAT THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS OF AN IMPENDING PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A RECALL. INSTEAD, I WAS UNEXPECTEDLY FORCED TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10899085
141,700 miles · May 4, 2016
Power Train
THERE IS A JOLTING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT IS ACTING LIKE SOMEONE IS STAB BRAKING.IT DOES IT AT ALL SPEEDS BUT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME
NHTSA ODI #10863098
77,217 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Power Train
01/07/16,MY WIFE AND MY SON OF 3 YEARS WERE DRIVING A 2009 CTS WITH 77K. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STOPS AND WON'T MOVE. NO WARNING SIGNS,NOTHING! AS SHE TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR SHE HEARD A WHINING NOISE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.
NHTSA ODI #10825400
82,000 miles · May 19, 2015
Power Train
THE SPLINE ON THE TRANSMISSION STRIPPED OUT BECAUSE OF RUST AND I BELIEVE POOR WORKMANSHIP. THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY TWO MONTHS AGO. IT WILL COST ME APROX. $4000. TO REPAIR. POTENTIAL HAZZARD. IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. WHEN WILL GM HAVE A RECALL SO I CAN GET MY MONEY…
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THE SPLINE ON THE TRANSMISSION STRIPPED OUT BECAUSE OF RUST AND I BELIEVE POOR WORKMANSHIP. THE VEHICLE JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY TWO MONTHS AGO. IT WILL COST ME APROX. $4000. TO REPAIR. POTENTIAL HAZZARD. IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. WHEN WILL GM HAVE A RECALL SO I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK?
NHTSA ODI #10717261
7,124 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Power Train
I PURCHASED A CADILLAC CTS AND THE TIMING CHAIN IS OUT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS OUT. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS MODEL AND HAVE FOUND OTHERS TO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVEN'T SOMEONE HELD THIS COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING A KNOW FAULT PART INTO THEI…
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I PURCHASED A CADILLAC CTS AND THE TIMING CHAIN IS OUT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS OUT. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS MODEL AND HAVE FOUND OTHERS TO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVEN'T SOMEONE HELD THIS COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING A KNOW FAULT PART INTO THEIR VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CADILLAC AND I WILL INFORM MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ABOUT THE SERVICE AND LACK OF CARE. THIS WAS MY SECOND CADILLAC AND MY LAST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683899
27,750 miles · Dec 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE ABLE TO STOP I CALLED ONSTAR AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME A DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ENGINE ERROR AND TO TAKE IN FOR SERVICE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING. WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEE…
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WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE ABLE TO STOP I CALLED ONSTAR AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME A DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ENGINE ERROR AND TO TAKE IN FOR SERVICE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING. WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 28,000 MILES. CALLED GM/CADILLAC WAS TOLD THAT WHILE THERE WAS A RECALL (#10287) FOR PREMATURING TIMING CHAIN WEAR FOR CERTAIN 2009 CTS MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663064
45,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION, COULD NOT SHUT VEHICLE OFF. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 9PM IN THE EVENING AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP OR ONSTAR TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE AND COULD NOT SHUT OFF FUEL SUPPLY OR RI…
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KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION, COULD NOT SHUT VEHICLE OFF. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 9PM IN THE EVENING AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP OR ONSTAR TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE AND COULD NOT SHUT OFF FUEL SUPPLY OR RISKING THE VEHICLE POPPING INTO GEAR (OR MOVING INTO GEAR BY A CHILD) AND MOVING UNATTENDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604595
59,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENED THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENED THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523221
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 ↗