NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
13 reportsClear category filter45,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE AND RETURNING HOME I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NORMAL AS ALWAYS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I ENTERED MY HOUSE AND AS I WALKED PASTED MY KITCHEN …
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AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE AND RETURNING HOME I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NORMAL AS ALWAYS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I ENTERED MY HOUSE AND AS I WALKED PASTED MY KITCHEN WINDOW I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES SINCE FROM THE TIME I ENTERED MY HOUSE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THEN FIRE I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE FIRE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL OR A FUEL MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #11287619
62,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Engine
THE TIMING CHAIN IS FAULTY. THIS IS A $2200 REPAIR. NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11228858
52,000 miles · Jun 20, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S DRIVING. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SHOOK AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S DRIVING. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SHOOK AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER (2131 E CONVENTION CENTER WAY, ONTARIO, CA 91764, (909) 321-5860) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TIMING CHAIN WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #11221461
38,847 miles · Mar 3, 2015
Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,8…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,847.
NHTSA ODI #10691920
61,000 miles · Feb 22, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
ON 21 FEB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING "SERVICE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL, ENGINE POWER WILL BE REDUCED. I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND LUCKILY, THE 18 WHEELER THAT WAS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO OTHER LANE TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD INDICATOR AND WAS ABLE TO COAST T…
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ON 21 FEB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING "SERVICE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL, ENGINE POWER WILL BE REDUCED. I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND LUCKILY, THE 18 WHEELER THAT WAS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO OTHER LANE TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD INDICATOR AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE MEDIAN. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT KILLED!. ON SEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE...THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES BECAUSE OF THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, A DEATH? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689805
40,500 miles · Nov 20, 2014
EngineCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.
NHTSA ODI #10659647
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENTS RE COPY OF LETTER TO MARY BARRA, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), GENERAL MOTORS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH AFTER SERVICE CARE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE DEALER INS…
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S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENTS RE COPY OF LETTER TO MARY BARRA, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), GENERAL MOTORS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH AFTER SERVICE CARE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND ASSURED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS DEPENDABLE. ON MAY 27, 2014 THE CONSUMER FELT A MILD VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THE BALANCE WAS OFF, BUT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JUNE 15, 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN A ROUGH TICKING SOUND AND FELT A SHUDDER THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. HE GENTLY BRAKED AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AGAIN, AND BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE THUMPING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND A LOUD BANG AND HEAVY VIBRATION, WAS FLT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE VIBRATION TEAR IN THE CLOTH SHIELD HE DISCOVERED, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BROUGHT TWO OF THE FOUR THAT HELD THE DRIVE SHAFT TOGETHER TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VIBRATION TEAR WAS A CIGARETTE BURN, AND THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BEARING FAILURE WERE ISSUES ADDRESS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS LOW PITCHED WHISTLE DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION, WHICH HE DID NOT HEAR WHEN HE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LIGHT WEIGHT OIL/FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. HE NOTICED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION RANGE HAD DROPPED FROM 17-18 MPG TO 15 MPG. THE REAR END FELT LESS STABLE AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHIFT WHEN COMING OFF DRIVEWAYS OR OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. (2011 CADILLAC CTS).
NHTSA ODI #10614444
17,400 miles · May 24, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
DRIVING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN IGNITION KEY, ONLY A FOB. THE ENGINE IS 3.6 CTS 4. I DROVE 2 MILES BACK HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE …
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DRIVING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN IGNITION KEY, ONLY A FOB. THE ENGINE IS 3.6 CTS 4. I DROVE 2 MILES BACK HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL A RESOLUTION IS OBTAINED FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593880
27,000 miles · May 2, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME EVERY MORNING, I ACCELARATE FROM 45 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 65 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH 2 FRONT FLAT TIRES) AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MOST OF THE TIME IT FLASHES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SOMETIMES ENGI…
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WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME EVERY MORNING, I ACCELARATE FROM 45 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 65 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH 2 FRONT FLAT TIRES) AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MOST OF THE TIME IT FLASHES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SOMETIMES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. CAR LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER ON APRIL 27TH 2014 WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS EVERY MORNING ONLY. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND SAID THEY RESOLVED PROBLEM. EXACTLY 2 DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY BUT NOT ON A DAILY BASIS. NOT SURE IF THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER NOW THAT IT IS NO LONGER WINTER. I WILL BE MAKING MY THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THIS SAME ISSUE :SHAKING CAR, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586247
2,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
DUE TO THE RECENT GM PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON MY 2011 CADILLAC CTS AS I AM NOT HEARING MY CAR MENTIONED FOR RECALL. TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE CTS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH FLIPPI…
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DUE TO THE RECENT GM PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON MY 2011 CADILLAC CTS AS I AM NOT HEARING MY CAR MENTIONED FOR RECALL. TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE CTS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH FLIPPING. NO SOUND WAS MADE BUT SIMPLY EVERYTHING LOST ALL POWER AND FORCED ME TO COAST INTO TRAFFIC...TWICE!! I THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO TRY AND RESTART IT WITH NO LUCK. IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURNOVER. I HAD TO COME TO A FULL STOP (COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER HAVING TRAFFIC FLY BY ME ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY) AND THEN THE CAR WOULD RESTART LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE CTS TO KEN DIXON CHEVY/CADILLAC (NOW WALDORF CADILLAC) IN WALDORF, MD AND ALSO TO CAPITOL CADILLAC IN GREENBELT, MD. THE TECHS TOLD ME THE CAR SHOWED NO ERRORS ON THE COMPUTER AND ALSO THEY COULD FIND NO FAULT ON THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. ONE TECH DID MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT A HEAVY KEYCHAIN COULD CAUSE THIS. I PASSED HIM MY KEYS AND HE SAID THAT MY KEYS CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T CAUSE THAT DUE TO THE LIGHT WEIGHT. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AND THIS LATEST NEWS FROM GM HAS ME VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN WASHINGTON, DC TRAFFIC AND PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT DAILY RISK. I POSTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE EDMUNDS.COM CADILLAC CTS CAR FORUM IN MARCH OF 2012. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583019
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
Jun 19, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
Air Bags
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗