2011 Cadillac CTS Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Driveline › Driveshaft
  2
• Driveline
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  422%
• 25k–50k
  528%
• 50k–75k
  528%
• 75k–100k
  211%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Under previous GM Safety Recall Bulletin 14233, loss of grease from the center constant velocity (CV) joint over time results in vibrations of the propeller shaft that are transferred to the roll over sensor located on the floor above it. The condition was repaired under this recall in 2014, three years after the vehicle was manufactured. It is now 2022, and the same issue has happened again. Now, GM claims that there are no open recalls on the vehicle, yet the manufacturer defect remains and the issue has resurfaced. Being a safety recall, the repair should be covered by GM as stated in the bulletin (14233) regardless if the repair has been completed in the past, as the defect remains a safety issue. …

The GM rear differential is defective on this 2011 Cadillac CTS I own. NHTSA did an investigation on these rear differentials to include the 2004 to 2007 rear ends. The same rear end is on Cadillac sts, CTS-v and these rear ends were continued to be placed by GM, without fix, in Cadillac CTS until 2013. Same design, same mechanical parts. My car is a 2011 that just had a new rear differential from GM put in to solve its issues. After installation, the same problems exist with a roaring and thumping noise that has been verified by repair shops coming from the old and new rear differential. These issues are either with the side differential carrier bearings and/or the ring and pinion system. GM has never provided a fix except to recommend a different viscosity of fluid that only quietens down the noise. …

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. …

I just returned from my local Cadillac dealer and had to replace the left rear wheel hub and sensor. This is the third time I have had top replace the wheel hubs as the last 2 were the right rear and left front ones. I am curious to know if this is an ongoing problem related to any specific disclosed or non disclosure by Cadillac. I questioned the service advisor at Cadillac and he suggested that I hang onto the damaged parts and invoices for the repairs. I inquired further with the service advisor if this was an outstanding issue with this model and he suggested that there have been problems with 2008-2012 Cadillac wheel hubs. I wanted to alert NHTSA to this and suggest that maybe there should be some input from Cadillac with regards to an issue that should be looked at further.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle which caused the vehicle to not accelerate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was shifted to neutral and back to drive and failed to respond. The vehicle was also shifted in reverse and failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to rohrich Cadillac 2116 w liberty ave, pittsburgh, pa 15226 where they informed the contact that there was a spline between the transfer case and the transmission that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number to the contact. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

In 2014 GM issued a recall on the supersharger for the 2010 to 2015 Cadillac CTS v and the cameo zr1 I didn't receive any notice about it. I am registered on the GM recall site I just found out about the recall now I am having the issue I called GM and there saying my car is out of mileage but it wasn't in 2014 and I only let the dealer work on it and they didn't say anything and when I spoke to GM she couldn't find any proof they notified me about the recall how can I get them to repair my car under the recall like they should have?my attorney said try to get your help first because you can make them comply I would appreciate a speedy response to if you can help me thank you.

Every time the automatic transmission is put in reverse and the vehicle wheels turned sharply to right or left, such as in backing- out of a tight parking space, the car labors to move backwards and binding noises emanate from differential or rear axle area of the car. This condition lessens and completely disappears as the steering wheel is returned to the straight forward or straight back position. I believe this condition has existed in earlier models of my vehicle and has been the subject of a recall. This malfunction has existed ever since I purchased the used car in June of 2016. Other than the described issue, the car has served me well.

My Cadillac CTS 2011 has had a failure in the rear differential, twice since I have owned it. The first time was sept 2013 and the entire rear differential had to be replaced, and now jan 2016, the exact same issue has occurred. There is a service bulletin on the vehicle of sb11084 and an NHTSA item number 10038765. It is a same that this is a know problem and a recall has not been generated. The vehicle will be out of the powertrain warranty at the end of February so unless a recall is done, this will not be covered on its next failure in a year.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the drive train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V341000 (power train) although the failure was similar. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Transmission complaints in other CTS years