2014 Cadillac CTS Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Driveline › Differential unit
  9

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  13%
• 25k–50k
  719%
• 50k–75k
  924%
• 75k–100k
  1541%
• 100k–150k
  25%
• 150k+
  38%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS A. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH she heard an abnormal sound from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded like an amplified road noise. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an intermittent sharp jarring of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was downshifting to a lower gear independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who had diagnosed and determined that the differential was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, a metal noise was heard. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear brakes were replaced however, the contact was informed that the failure was the rear differential axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to have the failure diagnosed at a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer nor was a case opened. The contact was referencing the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The manufacturer informed the contact that only the sports version was included in the recall due to the plant of manufacture. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard an extremely loud bang, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and observed smoke coming from the rear axle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, a loud grinding sound came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear tires needed to be replaced. The contact had both rear tires replaced; however, the loud grinding noise recurred and was also heard a sound when starting the vehicle, shifting into drive(D) and slowly accelerating. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer who determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, there was an abnormal roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormally loud grinding sound was coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a fault with the rear differential. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. Once at the dealer, it was confirmed that the rear differential had experienced internal grinding and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH, he heard an abnormal loud roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. However, the parts were not available. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he heard a loud abnormal scraping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 94,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who discovered metal shavings inside in the rear differential fluid and informed the contact that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 84,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while starting and also while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal loud roaring noise detected from the rear end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was due to the rear differential. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other CTS years