Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10% | 59,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 30% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 13% | 48,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% | 92,000 miles |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 10 | 14% | 16,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% | 27,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 11% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% | 45,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% | 98,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 153,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 5% | 71,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 9% | 73,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The service power steering message was displayed. The failure had occurred while the contact was in the middle of traffic. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V086000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.
Steering wheel became inoperable while vehicle in motion, vehicle shut down multiple times while driving causing all loss of power to vehicle, accelerator stuck and fuel shut off when going hard on brake did not work requiring snit into neutral, many other issues. Taken to dealer for repair many times in service over 40+ days since November 2016. Not safe to operate. Cue screen replaced muriople times as well because of electrical issues and even air conditioning switching to heat, windows randomly rolling down while vehicle is parked in a parking lot, speedometer goes off and then comes back on while driving. …
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various slow speeds, the message "Driver Assist Unavailable" and the steering wheel was abnormally firm, requiring excess effort to drive the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was advised that there was no failure found with the vehicle, and the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
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 just recently purchased my Cadillac. And the rear end is going out! I literally cannot even drive it anywhere because it is about to lock up completely. It will barely go and definitely doesn't want or like to go uphill. I could hardly go 20 miles per hour when I parked it the other night. There has not been an incident yet but if I hadn't parked it, it could've locked up completely when I was going down the highway is what my mechanic friend told me. It was not bad until just the day before it got to this point. It was making a little bit of a humming noise which I thought was just a wheel bearing the other night because that's exactly what it sounded like. But, the night I parked it it had started making like a loud thumping noise when I would try to accelerate. The more I would accelerate the louder the noise and it just didn't want to go. …
I was driving and it started rattling and getting very bumpy. I exited the freeway and came to a stop. The vehicle would no longer move. I had it towed to my mechanic. The right front axle broke. He replaced it and drove it around the block for a test drive. It was very loud and turning tight when the left axle broke. It has been diagnosed with a bad differential. Everyone I have spoke with at multiple Cadillac dealerships, including someone at a dealership over 30 years, have said they never seen this type of problem and especially on such a newer vehicle with only 84,000 miles. It was a very dangerous situation and if it never happens why did it happen to mine? I'm thinking something is faulty in the differential etc.
Related recalls (4)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025.
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
Steering › Linkages
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers May fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette.
Steering
Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt May be loose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the intermediate steering shaft bolt and ensure that it is tightened to the proper specification. Owner notification began March 20, 2003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac CTS years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (28), 2007 (16), 2005 (15), 2004 (14) and 2008 (13) model years. Steering complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Cadillac CTS steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-175 (electric power assist system, Mar 20, 2025); 19V-086 (electric power assist system, Feb 7, 2019); 04V-273 (linkages, Jun 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac CTS steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (3 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (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.