37 of the 3,104 complaints filed about the Cadillac CTS are about the seats — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.
37
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
3
Fires
SEATS
The air bad light on passenger side and on the review mirror it passenger airbag bag off that a safety issue it won’t work if in a accident need to be recalled
NHTSA complaint #11729137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
The airbag warning light appeared 45 days ago. I immediately took my 2017 Cadillac to the dealer (Sewell Cadillac of Houston). The vehicle is covered under a Sewell Extended warranty until 2028. The dealer performed troubleshooting and determined that the passenger seat sensors/module (part # 84567224 ) was defective. The Inspector for the Sewell Extended warranty confirmed that the replacement was covered by the warranty. The dealer advised after 30 days (completing other services- Brakes/rotors/front tires/spark plugs & wires etc) that the part # was “Back-ordered” and Sewell did not know when the part would be available, if ever. The consequence explained that the passenger seat which contains GM Part # 84567224 should not be used as the airbag may not inflate. Now the dealer wants their “loaner car” back and for me to pick up my “unrepaired Safety defective seat in my car”. Today’s date: December 20, 2025. The car was purchased new 11/2016 from the same Sewell Cadillac dealer. I would expect that General Motors be compelled to supply critical safety related equipment (part # 84567224) for a 8 year old car.
NHTSA complaint #11706260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
One day when I went to sit in the front passenger seat a message came on the Driver Information Center displaying, "SERVICE AIR BAG" and then I notice that the indicator light on the dash was displaying the Air Bag warning light, and the rearview mirror was showing that the passenger air bag was off. Without the air bag working I cannot ride in the front seat of the car and due to the fact that if we are in a car accident the air bag will not deploy. The dealer has been able to reproduce this issue several times over the last 13 years. Yes, I have been dealing with this issue since 2012, every time I ask to have the seat diagnosed, they say "No we will not be doing that for you" - [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11671720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
Heated seat when turned on caught on fire, burned me & the seat has burned leather. No warnings or lamps came on. It is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11487718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
seats move , when break and move forward
NHTSA complaint #11475518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
The driver’s seat latch to access the backseat started to work only sometimes. Now it doesn’t work at all
NHTSA complaint #11447084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.
NHTSA complaint #11425049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER AND NOBODY KNOWS WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. WHENEVER IT RAINS, THERE IS A POOL OF WATER ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND THE PASSENGER'S FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. YOU CAN ALSO WITNESS WATER COMING DOWN FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS SUNK IN AND IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I HAVE CALLED CADILLAC MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THESE DEFECTS AND ALL THAT I WAS TOLD IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH CADILLAC VEHICLES BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE PROBLEM WITH MY CADILLAC ELDORADO WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO GET RID OF IT. I BOUGHT THE 2008 CADILLAC CTS AND AFTER MANY YEARS, I STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WATER LEAKING ISSUE AND MALFUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN POSE A DEADLY RISK TO THE DRIVER. IF THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING NOW IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I HAD WITH MY ELDORADO, THEN, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THESE VEHICLES. CADILLAC MUST BE ASKED TO LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES AND HAVE THEM CORRECTED BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVERS LIKE ME.
NHTSA complaint #11389997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
MY 2007 MODEL YEAR CADILLAC CTS VEHICLE HAD A CONDITION WHERE REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS CAUSED THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THE FLEXING BROKE THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BECOME DISABLED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, THE AIR BAG INDICTOR DOES ILLUMINATE, AND A SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE DOES APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER AND HAS FOR YEARS! I HAVE REPEATEDLY ASK VILLAGE CADILLAC, SERVICE ADVISOR: DEBBIE HENRY TO HAVE THE SEAT FIXED. THE PROBLEM WITH SERVICE ADVISOR IS THAT SHE LOOKS AT YOUR RECALL RECORDS. YOUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS, WHICH IS CORRECT. WHAT I HAVE IS A LETTER FROM CADILLAC P.O. BOX 909989 MILWAUKEE, WI 53209-9989, STATING THAT THIS MAT CAN BREAK AND IT HAS BROKEN. ALSO, THE PLASTIC HOUSING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN, WHICH HAS STARTED TO FRAY THE SEATBELT STRAP. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11365609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHEN TAKING TURNS MY 2011 CTS CADILLAC FLASHES THAT MY AIR BAG MUST BE SERVICED. ON THE PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11350276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. WHICH MADE DRIVING THE CAR VERY UNSAFE. I PULLED OVER AND I GOT THE PART REPAIRED BY THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT HEATER. WHEN WEATHER IS COOLER AND I ACTIVATE THE SEAT HEATER I EXPERIENCED THE SEAT GETTING EXCESSIVELY HOT AND I NEARLY BURN MYSELF. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE HEATER SEAT AND COVER THE SEAT SO I DON'T GET HURT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY DURING TO HOW HOT THE SEAT HAD GOT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE SHIFTER SELECTOR CABLE DETACHED AS I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE STREET (VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION) I WAS DRIVING AND PULLED UP PARK AND NOTICE THE SHIFTER KNOB WAS MOVING BUT THE INDICATOR WAS STUCK IN THE WRONG SELECTION. I HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BREAK AND ORDER A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR THE CARBWAS IN OR COULD I CHANGE GEARS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD RECALLS FOR THESE ITEMS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES BUT DENIED TO HELP ME BECAUSE THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC WHICH I DID NOT KNOW AND MY VIN DIDN'T QUALIFY. I AM LEFT WITH A HUGE CAR REPAIR BILL FOR DEFECTED PARTS SOLD WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11325469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVING AT 10PM SOUTH ON HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH ON LEFT SHOULDER 20MIN IN AND 10 MIN TO GET TO MY DESTINATION (HOME) ON MIDDLEL LANE N AN 18 WHEELER TRIED TO MERGE TO LEFT (GUSSSING HE DID NOT SEE CAR) SO TO AVOID BEING SWIPED BY SEMI SAID ED STEERING WILL TO LEFT OFF TO EXIT MEDIAN CLOSE TO CEMENT BARACADE SEMI PASSED GOT BACK ON ROAD 5 MINUTES IN SIDE LEFT & RIGHT ALSO FRONT AND BACK AIR BAGS DEPLOYED LOST CONTROL OFF VEHICLE AND SPINNED OUT OF FREEWAY & STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNABLE TO START VEHICLE CAR FACING SOUTH NOW AND OFF HIGHWAY REALIZED THE ONLY THING HIT WAS A FRONT GRILL WHERE CADILLAC SIGN NEXT TO IT GRILL WAS CRACKED COUPLE OF SCUFFS BUT NO OTHER BODY DAMAGES AND FRONT AIRBAGS DINT DEPLOY SO QUESTIONING IF POSSIBLE UNDETECTED MALFUNCTIONS PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT LAKIESHA WOODSON NO POLICE REPORT BECAUSE I DINT GET HIT OR HIT ANYTHING OR ANYBODY HAVE A REPAIR INVOICE - STATING AN 18K ESTIMATE & CONSIDERED TOTALED DUE TO AIRBAGS AND TOW SERVICE OF $700 THAT NEITHER DELEARSHIP OR INSURANCE WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELEARSHIP STATES THAT SINCE INSURANCE INVOLVED CANNOT HAVE CAR TOWED TO GM/CADILLAC SERVICE CENTER AND INSURANCE STATES I'M AT FAULT BECAUSE I'M THE ONE THAT SWERVED FROM SEMI BUT HAVE STATED I AVOIDED TO BE HIT OR PUSHED OFF ROAD AND IT WAS WAY AFTER THAT IS WHEN AIRBAGS JUST DEPLOYED FOR NOTHING OR DUE TO IT BEING ALL ELECTRIC IS JUST TOO SENSITIVE AND LATE IN REACTING EITHER WAY THAT'S WHAT CAUSED ME LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPECTING THE DEPLOYMENT... HAD I OTHERWISE HIT OR BEEN HIT I WOULD ASUME THE FRONT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AS WELL AND THERE WOULD BE MORE BODY DAMAGE OTHER THAN JUST AIRBAGS AND A FALLEN OFF FRONT FENDER JUST FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE EVEN IF IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE IT IS WHAT HAPPENED JUST NO ONE WANTS TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY DEDUCTIBLE $500
NHTSA complaint #11219927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TAKATA, SERVICE AIR BAG IS ON ACROSS STEREO CONSOLE & LIGHT ON DASH. IT CAME ON WITHIN LAST 4 WEEKS WHILE DRIVING & AFTER A BUMP IN ROAD. WON'T GO OFF. DEEPLY CONCERNED. ALSO DRIVER POWER SEAT MODULE DOESN'T WORK TO RAISE NOT GREAT FOR SOMEONE SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #11217452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEEL BAR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUT THROUGH THE FOAM MATERIAL AND THE LEATHER, WHICH CUT THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELCO CADILLAC (15110 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011, (636) 284-2620) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT NEEDED A NEW DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE PICTURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER DEALER AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO LET THE CONTACT SPEAK TO A MANAGER TO STATE HIS CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11155850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROE MOTORS (201 NE 7TH ST, GRANTS PASS, OR 97526, 541-237-7208) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
NHTSA complaint #11150211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOLIDAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC (543 2ND ST, WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #11123858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME REASON THE OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #11110244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
MY CAR WAS PARKED ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. I USED MY REMOTE START AND WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR WITH MY 14 MONTH OLD SON ONLY 3-4 MINUTES LATER, MY CAR WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. I COULD SEE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD BUSTED AND THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DEEMED THE HEATED SEATS AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11073303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BOTH THE HEATED SEAT OPTION AND SEAT/MIRROR MEMORY SETTINGS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY.
NHTSA complaint #11019893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER RECOGNIZES A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THEREFORE, THE SEAT BELT "ALARM" DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS UNFASTENED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WOULD ACTIVATE IF NEEDED IN A CRASH. FIRST NOTICED 7/27/2016.
NHTSA complaint #10892013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.