Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Rear differential seal leaking Midas told me when I had the oil changed right after I got the car exactly one year and one day ago today and there is like a weird noise when I drive but if I turn the heat or air in it stops
Vehicle primarily failed while parked at owner residence [redacted] and remained inoperable for approximately three weeks prior to tow to Cadillac dealership. The ignition key became trapped and could not be removed. A manual override release beneath the driver-side steering column was required to free the key - confirming the lock was held electronically, not mechanically jammed. Fault confirmed by authorized Cadillac dealer: intermittent electrical fault within the shifter assembly lock mechanism. A similar intermittent concern was previously documented on this vehicle in 2011 (logged as "Customer Concern Not Duplicated"), establishing a recurring pattern. GM Technical Service Bulletin 07-07-30-032D (2006-2011 Cadillac CTS, automatic transmission) explicitly documents this exact condition: key sticking, Shift to Park DIC message, shifter binding, and battery drain. …
The seller lied about everything! The first question I asked was if the car was in an accident. He bragged about being a mechanic, and doing all the work on the car, so everything in the car is in, "tip top shape." he replied, "no, never!" he did not allow us to ride the car on the interstate before the purchase, claiming it was illegal. 10 mins after leaving the car lot, the car cuts off and is unable to crank back up. The seller meets us and claims it the battery. A "new" battery was placed in the vehicle, but the problem persists. My fianc, who is not a mechanic, told him more than once, that the problem was not the battery, but the alternator. He got the car to crank. As we are riding down the interstate, the car cuts off, and we are left aimlessly rolling and are unable to control the wheel. …
2007 Cadillac CTS began making a loud humming noise. Had the rear driver side wheel bearing changed but the noise continued. On way home from work the following day on i75 driving 70mph which is the speed limit, the car started making a loud clunking sound and was nearly impossible to steer. Nearly had accident while trying to get to shoulder of road. Was informed by mechanic that "the rear end went out of your car because you didn't have any differential fluid left in it" when I asked how that could happen the mechanic said there must have been a leak of some kind. Started researching and found there was a recall on the car 4 years before I purchased it. …
On 4/02/2015 I was driving my vehicle when suddenly I heard a explosion type sound and it would not move. I was doing approximately 30 to 35 MPH. I pulled to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle when I saw oil coming out from the back of the car I called aaa and they towed me to my home were I did research and found that Cadillac CTS from 2005-2007 were having problems with the rear differential. So I contacted Cadillac div. Directly and was given a case # 71-1463000661 they contacted coral Cadillac dealer and they came picked up my car and had it inspected they confirmed that the car has powertrain problems but the mechanic says that there is a possibility they will not cover the fees to repair it due to the VIN # of my vehicle does not have a recall for that issue> at this point I do not understand my car has experienced everything in the original recall for that make, model …
07 Cadillac CTS was driven and parked. I minute later it was on fire, started on top of transmission in interior. Extinguished in another 2 minutes but damage exceeded $20,000. GM product liability and esis dragging feet on warranty claim or relief for > 2 months, insurance says cigarette (don't smoke) dealer wont do anything for fire event. Cause is defective catalytic cnvtr/transmission but no help from GM, dealer, warranty, I've offered photos fire report, etc. Insurance wants to settle quick and salvage. I need to keep for GM evaluation for safety defect-they aren't very interested or helpful. No car, no warranty relief but luckily no injury. Can GM be pressed to resolve liability to the owner in a timely manner?, do they even care if I ignore insurance pressure to keep car available to GM inspect for root cause? Thank you
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.
I was driving down the road and heard a terrible clunk followed by grinding. I stopped to look under the car because I thought something fell out or of the car. I got it to a repair shop and the rear differential went out because it had been leaking. I had contacted Cadillac earlier in the 2014 to check on recalls and was told that my car was not under recall. I think it should've been under recall. I read that this is a big problem with the CTS, but Cadillac refuses to make it right on older models. I am just glad I wasn't driving at 70 MPH or somebody could've been killed. I am $2,200 in the hole now...
Tl contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. While driving 50 MPH in the rain, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle spun out. The vehicle crashed into the barrier in the middle of the road. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and had to be towed from the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer in June of 2008 and they were aware of NHTSA campaign id number 07V589000 (power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal), but never informed the contact. She received a recall notice after the crash occurred. The failure mileage was 33,200.
Yes I been having problem with transmission at first brought car couple months later the car would not back up so got that granny rebuilt and then four and half years later have problem with tyranny again but now as you put foot on pedal the car go for only bout 5 or 10 minute then it would slow down then would just stop when put foot on pedal. Wiper would not turn off on it own only when you take fuse out the radio stop working n the bright light would turn on by its self every time you put on turn sign on at night.
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.Pontiac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.GM is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect.
Transmission complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Cadillac CTS, 15% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Cadillac CTS transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-589 (seal, Dec 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.