NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
11 reportsClear category filter84,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air BagsSteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT APPROX 45 MPH, GOING INTO A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED ME TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND LAUNCH INTO THE WOODS. NO INJURIES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR WAS BENT…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT APPROX 45 MPH, GOING INTO A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED ME TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND LAUNCH INTO THE WOODS. NO INJURIES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR WAS BENT INTO A U SHAPE. NO IDEA WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY
NHTSA ODI #11350850
104,500 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Steering
POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT ALL SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOWER SPEEDS AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE DIC THAT READS "SERVICE POWER STEERING" NO VISIBLE CAUSE CAN BE FOUND. FLUID LEVELS ARE IN SPEC. TIRE PRESSURE IS IN SPEC. WHEN FAILURE OCCUR…
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POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT ALL SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOWER SPEEDS AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE DIC THAT READS "SERVICE POWER STEERING" NO VISIBLE CAUSE CAN BE FOUND. FLUID LEVELS ARE IN SPEC. TIRE PRESSURE IS IN SPEC. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT LOW SPEED, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEED, STEERING BECOMES STIFF EFFECTING CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #11181470
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2017
Steering
CAR MAKING CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING, CAR IS LIKE BRAND NEW 37,000 ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA ODI #11024737
37,960 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
DRIVING TO WORK WENT TO STOP AND VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE AND WOULD NOT STOP NORMAL. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE REPORTED RIGHT REAR HUB NOT SENSING SPEED SIGNAL AND NEEDED TO REPLACE AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I SEE GM AND CADILLAC HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS WHEEL HUD AND HAVE RECALLED ON OTHER MO…
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DRIVING TO WORK WENT TO STOP AND VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE AND WOULD NOT STOP NORMAL. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE REPORTED RIGHT REAR HUB NOT SENSING SPEED SIGNAL AND NEEDED TO REPLACE AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I SEE GM AND CADILLAC HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS WHEEL HUD AND HAVE RECALLED ON OTHER MODEL YEARS. THESE ARE $600.00 PER WHEEL TO REPLACE AND THINK THAT THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 39,000 MILES. WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THIS FAILS.I CONTACTED CADILLAC AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704972
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
32,200 miles · Jan 4, 2015
Steering
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND SLOWED DOWN TO VEER INTO LEFT TURN LANE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MANAGED TO GET CAR INTO LEFT LANE AND CAME TO A STOP. LUCKY IT WAS NOT MY WIFE DRIVING AS SHE WOULD OF HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY STEERING CAR. PUT CAR IN PARK AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL BA…
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DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND SLOWED DOWN TO VEER INTO LEFT TURN LANE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MANAGED TO GET CAR INTO LEFT LANE AND CAME TO A STOP. LUCKY IT WAS NOT MY WIFE DRIVING AS SHE WOULD OF HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY STEERING CAR. PUT CAR IN PARK AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FOURTH. STEERING TOOK SEVERAL ROTATIONS OF STEERING WHEEL BUT CAME BACK AFTER 10 SECONDS OR SO. DECIDED TO PROCEEDED HOME. DID NOT DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL DAY I TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS THE SEAL IS LEAKING AND RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF ALMOST $2000.00 CAR JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. HAD MAJOR OIL LEAK IN MAY THAT REQUIRED ENGINE TO BE PULLED. THAT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT DEALER AND CORP REFUSING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION,GARAGED AND DRIVEN RESPECTFULLY. NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669972
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
500 miles · May 16, 2014
SteeringWheels
WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WE NOTICED A PRONOUNCED THUMP THAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORRISOME. WE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS WHO SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THE…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WE NOTICED A PRONOUNCED THUMP THAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORRISOME. WE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS WHO SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING UP TO THIS DATE. THE THUMP IS SO GREAT WE WONDER IF IT IS NOT DAMAGING THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588963
20,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013
SteeringStructureWheels
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY, ABOUT 15 MPH. HE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN HALF, THE WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE FRAME CAME CRASHING TO THE GROUND. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS. AAA TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR UNDER THE MANUFAC…
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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY, ABOUT 15 MPH. HE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN HALF, THE WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE FRAME CAME CRASHING TO THE GROUND. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS. AAA TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAD TO HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE NEIGHBORS WHO HEARD THE THUD AND CAME TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/COLLISION. WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. CADILLAC TOLD US WE NEEDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES $12,000 IN DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554920
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 ↗