Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact works for an independent mechanic and place the vehicle on a lift and noticed that both the driver's and passenger's side rear brake cable had cracks and leakage of brake fluid from the brake line due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Brakes failed. This happened at low speed and control was kept of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was seen the flexible brake line connecting the driver's side brake caliper had separated at the point it transitions from rubber to metal. It happened immediately after turning right at a stop light and there was no warning. The design of the transition meant that there was no leak of fluid (warning) until the connection had corroded to the point it lost its strength, failed and completely detached. The local GM dealership was called and they advised there was no recall and would only work on the vehicle for payment, so it was not taken to them. The components were replaced on both sides. Old parts have been kept.
Complete brake line failure due to corrosion as described in Recall Number 10V105000 / 09149B. Original equipment retained from rear brake line repair for future inspection / litigation. CADILLAC REFUSED TO REPAIR / REPLACE / REIMBURSE FOR BRAKE FAILURE UNDER RECALL BULLETIN 09149B.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle independently surged at a high rate of speed while making a left turn to go into the oppposite direction. The contact applied extreme force to the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed and crashed into a tree. The front driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The driver sustained head and neck injuries as well as pains to the right hand and arm. The crash caused an elevation in blood pressure that required medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed, towed, and inspected by the insurance company's repair shop and the manufacturer who stated that there was no failure. The contact was unable to determine what caused the vehicle to surge at a high rate of speed. The brakes did not prevent the crash. …
Montgomery, al. July 22, 2011 2007 Cadillac CTS: brakes fail when making turn at slow speeds, such as into driveway, parking spot etc, and car continues to move forward in a slide.. Dealer claims there are no brake problems and that they can't replicate problem. After speaking with several other owners who have the same problem, I "googled" the issue and found numerous complaints regarding the same situation and all indicatingt he dealerships were either unaware, unwilling or unable to resolve the problem. Finally I accidentaly bumped a car on the church parking lot on 7/10/2011 and I took the car in on 7/11/2011 for the 5th time since I purchased it on 8/24/2010. …
Was driving and service brake assist message came on two days ago along with the ABS t/c light on the dash. I had no idea what it meant so I've kept driving. About an hour ago I was getting ready to park into my garage and the brakes would not work and I almost crashed into a parked car. Again the service brake assist light came on. I'm 7 months pregnant and this is my only transportation. I'm not looking to get into an accident due to my brakes failing. My service air bags message also comes up and even with a passenger in the car it doesn't state that the passenger air bag is on. I am pretty sure both of these issues were part of a recall but I hadn't owned the car during that time. As of now this car is a fatal accident waiting to happen and I'm unsure as to why there isn't still an open recall to address this brake failure issue.
While driving the car with two children inside it we approached a busy intersection and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the car did not even slow down. Pumping the brakes did not work either. We went right through the stop sign by swerving around other cars. Luckily there were no pedestrians crossing and thanks to other drivers being very alert there was no accident, but it was very close and terrifying. We allowed the car to coast to a stop and then had to push it to a side street to get out of the main roadway. The car still had a full reservoir of brake fluid (no fluid leaks) and had no brake system warning lights at all illuminating on the dash. Brake pad and rotors were only a month old. We are having the car towed to a Cadillac dealership today.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the brake lines failed. The contact stated that the brake lines were made of stainless steel. The brake lines corroded and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to two unknown independent mechanics and two unknown dealers to have a diagnostic test performed. The mechanics performed the diagnostic test and informed the contact that the brake lines could not be repaired. The dealers performed a diagnostic and informed the contact that the brake lines could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a light pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a shoulder and neck injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. While driving low speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage. The contact mentioned that she used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact kept driving with the emergency brake engaged. The vehicle was taken to david's auto sales inc (1804 s peterson ave, douglas, ga 31535, [phone]) and was informed that the vehicle was involved in a flood and had holes underneath the vehicle, which caused deterioration. The dealer also informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was purchased "as is'. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
General motors has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 Cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.
Brake complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Cadillac CTS, 27% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Cadillac CTS brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-105 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Cadillac CTS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.