Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% | 58,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 6% | 27,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 7% | 17,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 8% | 31,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 2003 | 24 | 8% | 69,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manual at the time of the torque converter seal replacement. The faulty component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others was put at risk due to the vehicle's hesitation to accelerate after stopping, a direct consequence of the low transmission fluid. …
I had adaptive cruise on, was at a stop light, so adaptive stopped, the truck in front of me moved because the light turned green, so to engage the cruise I gently gave it gas and I felt the cruise kick so I moved my foot and then the car lunged into the trailer hitch of the truck in front of me. I had no time to react, the crash warning did not flash nor did the braking assist engage. Luckily the guy I hit was not affected the hitch prevented damage to his truck but my car took all the damage. I was so shook that before I could apply brakes my car still was trying to move forward even though it had hit the hitch. This was on a highway just as it was merging to a street. I contacted Cadillac/GM and sent them pictures and 2 days later they called and said I had no case, they did not even send me to a dealer to check out the system by a professional.
There have been a collection of other Vin numbers for this year make and model for the symptoms I have been experiencing since taking ownership in 2019. The vehicle will stall while running and randomly disable ALL WHEEL drive, Traction Control, ABS, and send Check engine light on causing me amdy son on infinite number of times to almost be hit In the middle of amd intersection, after a stop sign at low speeds, upon turning the wheels into or put of driveway, parking spaces and worst off at 60 mph on a freeway. This has resulted in multiple near accidents as the vehicle randomly disables itself. It occurs mostly after pressing the brakes to shift gears and almost always causes the vehicle to become inoperable for over an hour where it sits as there is no option to disable AWD or choose from FWD OR RWD. …
The vehicle was driving in normal conditions, at approx 40mph in the evening. When accelerating to pass a car going slow in a 50mph+ road, the accelerator stuck in the Cadillac. This forced a defensive decision to unfortunately hit the car in front versus unknown clearing. After (now at 60mph), the accelerator stayed stuck, which required the car to then strike a pole at 100mph! This was a very dangerous scenario and only by grace were all parties safe in the primary car (Cadillac referenced), and the car struck. The car was totaled and even the black box was not operational after sitting for a 3 week span in a tow lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the vehicle would not go into gear. The contact mentioned that once it did the vehicle lunged forward and crash into the side of a building. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 2,100. ..updated 12/11/12 the consumer stated the when the vehicle lunged forward it ran into the front of the lobby's glass wall. The consumer then put the vehicle into neutral, then reverse, and backed up. Upon putting the vehicle in drive it accelerated again and ran into the front of the building. …
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. …
Severe and sudden malfunction of the ABS/Stabilitrak system at 45MPH causing loss of directional control of the vehicle. Failure caused by disintegration/cracking of ABS/HUB RELUCTOR RINGS, feeding incorrect wheel speeds to stability system. This failure caused a total loss of power, vehicle veering right despite full left steering input, ABS activation continuously (increasing stopping distance). Vehicle exited road due to loss of control.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Cadillac CTS. While stopped, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning and crashed into multiple vehicles. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had no reported failures. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac CTS years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (24), 2008 (14), 2004 (11), 2009 (11) and 2006 (10) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Cadillac CTS acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Cadillac CTS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Cadillac CTS acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (4 mentions), followed by the cruise control (3).
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.