Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | 9,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 7% | 71,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% | 180,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 234,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% | 46,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% | 110,000 miles |
| 2003 | 24 | 8% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the electronic stability control and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic cleaned the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Brakes on my CTS 2013 Cadillac , on March 29, I made a turn to park my car from the right side of the street mamaroneck avenue in white plains to the left there were no parking spaces on the right . As I turn the steering wheel the car went out of control the car speed up and hit the curb, knocking over two parking meters and hurting my finger on my right hand and later my left leg. I had just taken my car to pepe Cadillac in white plains ,n. Y. To get my brakes repaired. My car was towed to brennenan towing service in elmsford. They claim it was repaired!!!!since then which was last summer my car has been in and out of the repair shop as many as 9 or 10 times with the brake light coming on and other light such as the traction , the ABS, the lock on passenger did not work until I ask them to repair it! I am afraid to drive my car. When I take it to mt. …
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the traction control was off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
I took my car through a car wash and afterwards, the traction control system indicated a failure on the dash warning light. At the same time the engine lost significant power, and I'm told by the dealer that this is due to inhibiting half of the injectors if the tc system fails. The tc system "healed itself" after the car dried out for a day and this is not the focus of my complaint. Anyone can drive a car safely without a traction control system in operation, however, a non-responsive engine due to the programmed shutdown of half of the injectors is extremely dangerous. The car was barely able to accelerate in street traffic, and if the tc failure had happened on the freeway, I would have been in a very bad situation, unable to maintain safe speed just to get off of the freeway. This is a design flaw and should be re-evaluated. Updated 05/22/2012
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. …
Driving to work went to stop and vehicle pull to the side and would not stop normal. I drove the vehicle to the dealer and the reported right rear hub not sensing speed signal and needed to replace and not covered under my warranty. I see GM and Cadillac has had a lot of problems with this wheel hud and have recalled on other model years. These are $600.00 per wheel to replace and think that they should last longer than 39,000 miles. Would not want to have been driving at highway speeds when this fails.I contacted Cadillac and they would not repair without charge.
Car shuts off while driving at any speed or just when key is on.what exactly happens first car shuts off just like if someone turned key off.2nd stabitrac light comes on for a few seconds 3rd shuts off cruise and will not let you use it for about 10 minutes 4th lockes doors....if you are stopped and this happens you have to start it manually....if you are driving it will shut off and start up by its self.
While driving suddenly I lost power steering, ABS,power brakes, stability control, traction control. Parking assist and all wheel drive. Car was in motion on a city street. I was able to safely stop the car.all the proper warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. I was close to home so I returned home with no power steering or power brakes.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac CTS years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (24), 2004 (10), 2005 (10), 2008 (8) and 2006 (6) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Cadillac CTS traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (4 mentions).
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.