104 of the
3,104 complaints filed about the Cadillac CTS
are about the throttle and cruise control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
104
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
33
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manual at the time of the torque converter seal replacement. The faulty component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others was put at risk due to the vehicle's hesitation to accelerate after stopping, a direct consequence of the low transmission fluid. This hesitation causes a sudden loss of power while driving, increasing the likelihood of an accident. THere is a delay and then a hard shift when off , a significant bump when shifting from first to second gear and when I stop it feels like I've been rear ended by another car. The issue has been confirmed by multiple service centers, including Parker Cadillac, ORR Cadillac, and Christian Brothers Automotive, all of which identified the transmission pump seal as the source of the leak and the resulting damage to the transmission. Additionally, Christian Brothers Automotive found that the torque converter seal was also leaking, further contributing to the vehicle's transmission problems. Despite efforts to have GM engineers inspect the vehicle at ORR Cadillac, they declined. However, Christian Brothers Automotive has provided a thorough inspection and diagnostic of the .There were no warning lamps or error codes indicating the issue, as it was a mechanical failure rather than an electronic one. The symptoms became apparent when the vehicle began hesitating after coming to a stop, and a transmission fluid leak was discovered during the inspection
NHTSA complaint #11615828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Severe and sudden malfunction of the ABS/Stabilitrak system at 45MPH causing loss of directional control of the vehicle. Failure caused by disintegration/cracking of ABS/HUB RELUCTOR RINGS, feeding incorrect wheel speeds to stability system. This failure caused a total loss of power, vehicle veering right despite full left steering input, ABS activation continuously (increasing stopping distance). Vehicle exited road due to loss of control.
NHTSA complaint #11581265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ever since I purchased this 2008 CTS vehicle, I have dumped thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle even after the "recall repairs". Problems persist and the car has become more dangerous than ever. The vehicle had inspected by the dealership a number of times the first 5 years of ownership the first 3, listed below, were the replaced recalls from dealership, the rest are known safety issues that gm denies to admit to faults and recalls. *Ignition starter replacement (still have starter failure issues after 2 repairs from gm) *washer fluid warmer removal (they just snipped the wires and removed the component but left hot wires exposed in vehicle) *motherboard ecm replacement recall(ecm is still faulty and has caused dozens of electrical issues. **************** battery drains over night. On my 6th battery (just bought new one 3 days ago) gauge cluster never recalibrated and is completely disabled. Don't know how fast im going how much gas or any other info related to. sunroof constantly leaking, flooding vehicle and destroying the electrical components which fried many relays including the door lock and power window components vehicle refuses to turn but cranks on fuel often will not allow a fill up ecm throwing irrelevant codes headlight failure due to seal defect that allows moisture into headlight casing frequent oil loss. 2018: vehicle engine failure whilst driving on freeway with zero warning nearly causing a fatal crash. Purchased new alternator (Shade tree auto in san Clemente) and had to pay 2000 for tow and alternator transmission failure and near miss collision into another vehicle on a steep incline road I have taken this vehicle to a multitude of repair shops and auto supply to get a diagnosis. Even the dealership didn't have any answers. Now I am out of a car. and money. These issues had been confirmed by Rorick Cadillac, Shade tree auto, oreily, s and s auto, auto zone.
NHTSA complaint #11573886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There have been a collection of other Vin numbers for this year make and model for the symptoms I have been experiencing since taking ownership in 2019. The vehicle will stall while running and randomly disable ALL WHEEL drive, Traction Control, ABS, and send Check engine light on causing me amdy son on infinite number of times to almost be hit In the middle of amd intersection, after a stop sign at low speeds, upon turning the wheels into or put of driveway, parking spaces and worst off at 60 mph on a freeway. This has resulted in multiple near accidents as the vehicle randomly disables itself. It occurs mostly after pressing the brakes to shift gears and almost always causes the vehicle to become inoperable for over an hour where it sits as there is no option to disable AWD or choose from FWD OR RWD. It happens in manual mode (or called performance mode) as well as automatic mode and has been occurring for 5 and a half years. I have been charged an exorbitant amount for supposed repairs from.dealers and mechanics who have claimed to fix it and I have severe autoimmune disease, a foot prosthetic, AND a minor child I have to transport to and from.school in the car. My issue and warning lights and symptoms mirror the recall of the Vin numbers the manufacturer has performed the recall repair on exactly and yet I have been sent from dealers who refuse to check the part that's defective which is I believe the hydrolic brake rod to the brake petal. The bold needs to be simply retorqued to the proper torque to fix the problem as it was either assembled improperly torqued and or can loosen over time resulting in dangerous and immediate and unexpected complete loss of power to the vehicle allowing people to slam into you at any time. I have had it towed numerous times after these incidents. All features, climate control, locks, entertainment, windows and everything functions when this happens. I have replaced batteries, brakes, oil changes etc. Unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11525157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving in reverse and reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove in reverse across a parking lot crashing into two parked vehicles, and hitting a tree before driving across a side road and into a ditch. During the incident, the front driver sustained neck stiffness and the front passenger sustained a bruised right elbow. Neither injury required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was later driven to the home. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 86,500
NHTSA complaint #11514787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE RPM' S INCREASED, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HE TURNED OF THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO MORE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF TROY (1810 MAPLELAWN DR. TROY, MI) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, A YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING THE CURB BUMPER, CRASHING THROUGH A FENCE, AND COLLIDING WITH A WALL. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AS THE SPEED WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER, RIGHT FRONT FENDER, AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND DAMAGE EXCEEDED $20,000. 11 WEEKS TO REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA complaint #11246443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN USING FULL THROTTLE, (FLOORED ACCELERATOR) THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK IN WOT POSITION. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, FIRST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 3/2015.
NHTSA complaint #11242117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WAS BY TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #11222716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR IS RUNNING LIKE IT IS STUCK IN SOME KIND OF SAFETY MODE. IT DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE UNLESS IT STARTS ACCELERATING IN THIRD GEAR. IT DOES NOT COME OUT OF 3RD GEAR AT ALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON THE DASH. THERE IS A COUPLE OF RECALLS LISTED FOR THE SAME EXACT YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT IT SAYS THAT THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED TO SEE IF IT ACTUALLY DOES NEED TO BE LISTED UNDER THOSE RECALLS. IT IS NOT JUST THIS ONE SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER HAVING THESE ISSUES EITHER. I HAVE TALKED TO QUITE A FEW CADILLAC OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THEIR VEHICLES ARE NOT LISTED UNDER THOSE RECALLS EITHER. IF YOU TURN ON THE CAR YOU PUT IT INTO DRIVE THE CAR REMAINS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11142784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD ADAPTIVE CRUISE ON, WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SO ADAPTIVE STOPPED, THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME MOVED BECAUSE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SO TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE I GENTLY GAVE IT GAS AND I FELT THE CRUISE KICK SO I MOVED MY FOOT AND THEN THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT, THE CRASH WARNING DID NOT FLASH NOR DID THE BRAKING ASSIST ENGAGE. LUCKILY THE GUY I HIT WAS NOT AFFECTED THE HITCH PREVENTED DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK BUT MY CAR TOOK ALL THE DAMAGE. I WAS SO SHOOK THAT BEFORE I COULD APPLY BRAKES MY CAR STILL WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT HAD HIT THE HITCH. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY JUST AS IT WAS MERGING TO A STREET. I CONTACTED CADILLAC/GM AND SENT THEM PICTURES AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID I HAD NO CASE, THEY DID NOT EVEN SEND ME TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SYSTEM BY A PROFESSIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #11139619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING 70+MPH ON FREEWAY IN FAST LANE. CAR STOP ACCERLATING AND NO RPM THE STEELING WHEEL THEN LOCKED ON ME WHILE IN THE FAST LANE ON FREEWAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY OFF FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11138940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO MULTIPLE VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REPORTED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA complaint #11100399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES ON MY CTS 2013 CADILLAC , ON MARCH 29, I MADE A TURN TO PARK MY CAR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET MAMARONECK AVENUE IN WHITE PLAINS TO THE LEFT THERE WERE NO PARKING SPACES ON THE RIGHT . AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL THE CAR SPEED UP AND HIT THE CURB, KNOCKING OVER TWO PARKING METERS AND HURTING MY FINGER ON MY RIGHT HAND AND LATER MY LEFT LEG. I HAD JUST TAKEN MY CAR TO PEPE CADILLAC IN WHITE PLAINS ,N. Y. TO GET MY BRAKES REPAIRED. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO BRENNENAN TOWING SERVICE IN ELMSFORD. THEY CLAIM IT WAS REPAIRED!!!!SINCE THEN WHICH WAS LAST SUMMER MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP AS MANY AS 9 OR 10 TIMES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AND OTHER LIGHT SUCH AS THE TRACTION , THE ABS, THE LOCK ON PASSENGER DID NOT WORK UNTIL I ASK THEM TO REPAIR IT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. WHEN I TAKE IT TO MT. KISCO CADILLAC THEY FIX A DIFFERENT THING, BUT ANOTHER SITUATION OCCURS. I AM SO UPSET AND SAD ABOUT THIS SITUATION N, BECAUSE I AM A RETIRED COUNSELOR ON A FIXED INCOME AND I PAID FOR MY CAR IN FULL AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE IT... PLEASE HELP ME OR LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11089627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.
NHTSA complaint #11072069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP DUE TO ENGINE ISSUES, NOW THAT ENGINE IS REPLACED I'M SEEING STABILITRAK, SERVICE AC, AND BRAKE ASSIST LIGHTS APPEAR. ALSO WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ENGAGED AND CAR WON'T SHIFT GEARS. CODES WILL NOT APPEAR WHEN HOOKED UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER AND THEIR IS MOISTURE THAT GETS INSIDE MY CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF.
NHTSA complaint #11061954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 90 MPH AFTER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFT TO MANUAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL MOORE CADILLAC LOCATED AT 9177 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294 WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA complaint #11032834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, AT APPROX 40MPH IN THE EVENING. WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR GOING SLOW IN A 50MPH+ ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE CADILLAC. THIS FORCED A DEFENSIVE DECISION TO UNFORTUNATELY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT VERSUS UNKNOWN CLEARING. AFTER (NOW AT 60MPH), THE ACCELERATOR STAYED STUCK, WHICH REQUIRED THE CAR TO THEN STRIKE A POLE AT 100MPH! THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO AND ONLY BY GRACE WERE ALL PARTIES SAFE IN THE PRIMARY CAR (CADILLAC REFERENCED), AND THE CAR STRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND EVEN THE BLACK BOX WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AFTER SITTING FOR A 3 WEEK SPAN IN A TOW LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10991625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PREVIOUSLY THIS P2138 HAS OCCURRED. I WAS CLEARED WITH A COMPUTER SCANNER.THE CAR DROVE NORMAL ANOTHER DATE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION)ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 62 IN THE CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY CALIFORNIA 92284 WHEN THE CTS SUDDENLY LOST POWER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. WE PUT A SCANNER ON THE COMPUTER WHICH READS P2138 ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (APPS) ERROR CODE. THE SCANNER WAS USED TO CLEAR THE CODE. THE CTS DROVE NORMAL.I REVIEWED FOR ANY RECALL FOR 2006 CTS ON P2138. THERE WERE P2138 RECALL FOR THE 2006 CTS -V ONLY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE 2006 CTS SEDAN HAVING MY VIN#. ON 4 JANUARY 2017 I WAS DRIVING(IN MOTION) THE 2006 CTS ON LERRERA AVE TWENTY-NINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA 92277 WHEN THE CTS LOST POWER TO 5 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A SIDE STREET. I USED THE COMPUTER SCANNER TO CLEAR THE CODE IN ORDER TO GET HOME. BECAUSE THIS HAS OCCURRED THE THIRD TIME LATER THAT DAY ON THE 4 JANUARY 2017 WE HAD THE TOW TRUCK BRING THE CTS TO JESSUP CADILLAC 68-11 EAST CANYON DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 ( OVER 60 MILES AWAY)FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS CALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP ASKING WHAT WAS THE ISSUE. I EXPLAINED THE CODE WAS P2138 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, I EXPLAINED THE CODE WAS CLEARED IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET HOME. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. SO FAR NO ISSUES IN 45 DAYS. I HAVE ATTACHED MY REPAIRED INVOICE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED BY GM FOR THE EXPENSES THIS MALFUNCTION HAS CAUSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GM DID NOT DO A RECALL FOR MY 2006 CTS? ALSO, I AM GRATEFUL MY WIFE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF WERE IN A METROPOLITAN AREA WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10957731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE ENTERS A MODE AT RANDOM THAT ABRUPTLY REDUCES AND INHIBITS OR STOPS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. AS IN MY CASE, I WAS INMOST STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND FORWARD MOMENTUM AS I INITIATED A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION FROM ONE MAJOR ARTERY ONTO ANOTHER DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED OF NOT FOR THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE ENTERING THIS MODE. ON ANOTHER INSTANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES TO OVERTAKE A VEHICLE, THE CAR ENTERED THIS SAME MODE, AND WAS ALSO ALMOST STRUCK BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN DECELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON A MAIN ARTERY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AS WELL, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED IN THIS INSTANCE AS WELL DUE TO THE OTHER VEHICLES ABILITY TO BRAKE AND VEER AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10936624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.