Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Purrchased car used in 2010. While on a trip east the enine would star revving up during any tyype of accelaration.I called on-star for an analisis of what might be the problem.they ran a report while I was still driving and came back wita diagnosis of low lvel of motor oil.I told them I shhowed a level of over 20% .they said it was OK to drive home but to get an oil change as soon as I got home. This prroblem has persisted ever since,regsrdless of the oil level. I inquied about this problem on the internet and several came back with "this is common for cadillacs and for me tostart carrying some oil in the trunk bbecause these cars of this date had no oil gauge and therefore the revving noise was the only clue ithis car would give me thar it needs oil.. So I am confused! Why is there no oil gauge in this car? Expecially when it is equipped with a 3.6 high performance engine? …
My car was running fine. Then my engine sounded like a loud truck. No warning came. The check engine lite never went on so I stop driving it till it went to the dealership because I was going to have it towed and when I started up the car the engine blew. I bought this car with a lifetime limited powertrain warranty and it covers the engine. The warranty is good for life as long as I own the car and keep up on all maintance at a GM dealership which I did for 8 yrs. The warranty company will not cover the cost of the repair because the dealership that I bought it from closed. I called GM and they will not do anything because they stated I need to go to the warranty company. Nothing states in my warranty if the dealership closes that my warranty is invalued. That is not right I feel that GM should pay the cost of this engine because I believe my check engine lite was faulty.
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.
The vehicles timing chain is starting to go I was informed that there was a bulletin put out basically a extended warranty for 10 years I was stationed in Germany for 2 years and the problem started three months before I was supposed to leave I called GM in they tell me the warranty has ended im within the time period under ten years and well under the mileage but they say it ended April of 2017 and it is now June of 2017 why hasn't this been made a recall instead of a extended warranty I was proud to own in have a Cadillac the german people loved it but im going to switch out of this to a german brand its sad that GM is not even standing behind there product with all of these problems I goggled Cadillac and all I see is this timing chain problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the engine exploded. The contact was driving 78 MPH when the cruise control inadvertently disengaged. A loud booming noise emitted from the engine while a flash of fire and smoke emitted from the rear exhaust. Smoke then began to rise from the engine. The contact also stated that a rattling chain sound also began to come from the engine. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to inspect the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that this was a known failure. The failure and current mileages were 38,991.
For the last year my car has ran badly. Very rough idle, engine light throwing multiple codes, bad gas mileage, heavy oil consumption, and pulsating throttle while parked and driving. I've taken it to the dealership and for an entire year they've given me the runaround. On Monday I took it back in to rancho motor company in victorville, california and they finally say it's the timing chain. The recall warranty voided at 120000 miles. Now they refuse to honor the recall. My car is dangerous to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. While driving at 60 MPH, the key came out the ignition. The dealer performed a repair, but it did not resolve the issue with the ignition and the air bag warning light began illuminating since the repair. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact heard a ticking noise coming from the engine. Upon inspection, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the oil pan gasket. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the oil pan gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the vehicle would start, but failed to shift into the accurate gear and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. While driving various speeds, the service engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder two misfired. The technician cleared the code, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Engine complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Cadillac CTS, 14% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Cadillac CTS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Cadillac CTS, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Cadillac CTS engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.