Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 30% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 33% | 65,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 29% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 41% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 84 | 58% | 78,000 miles |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% | 27,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 22 | 22% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 13% | 42,000 miles |
| 2009 | 28 | 17% | 59,000 miles |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 33 | 15% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 45 | 17% | 43,000 miles |
| 2005 | 82 | 30% | 29,000 miles |
| 2004 | 52 | 23% | 20,000 miles |
| 2003 | 25 | 8% | 30,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The rear differential started making noise and growling. Upon draining the differential, we found a lot of metal debris. Upon reading on this issue, we found that Cadillac has had this issue with past models. It seems that the original G.M. part is no longer available. This could be a safety risk if the rear wheels are to lock up due to debris. It has not been confirmed by the dealer, the vehicle is out of warrantee at 91,000 miles.
The vehicle hard shifts in low gear and at low speeds. The hard shifting makes the car hard to handle in slow speed situations such as parking lots. Because the car lurches forward unexpectedly, it poses a safety concern toward nearby pedestrians.
Rear differential failure confirmed by the dealer at 41,000 miles. Told not to drive it as rear wheels could lock up causing accident. Rear was making load noise 2 days prior to failure with fluid leak upon inspection. Dealer states failure is under warranty but no parts available for 3-6 months.
I was driving my 2018 Cadillac CTS between 50-60mph and I lightly tapped on the gas and the car started shaking and vibrating. Felt like it could be a transmission or a engine misfire. My cars transmission also shifts very very rough kindly jerky which creates a unsafe environment while in motion. This is a consistent issue and with my car and only having 12,000 miles on it I find really concerning. This vibration only happens between 50-60mph and the rough transmission shifting happens as I drive it along with vibrations are coming from the engine which shake my entire car. All services are up to date. Cadillac and GM are both not sure of what the issue can be even though there is a pending class action lawsuit for the same issue
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for maintenance. The contact was advised by the dealer that the differential was leaking and diagnosed the differential and determined that the roll pins and pinion gear were showing unusual wear. The contact had the vehicle repaired. The contact stated that one year later the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was advised that the differential was leaking. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the two failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 105,188.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making a turn, the rear of the vehicle was dragging. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear tires were bowed out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential was leaking and needed to be resealed. The mechanic ordered new seals and pins from the dealer. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty and it is now worse outside of warranty! #2 Adaptive cruise has also been reported multiple times and I have paid to get both front sensors replaced. Only to have the issue continue. The dash will show a car is in the path, but there is a 2-3 second delay before car starts to slow down. Often brakes do not engage and the alarms just go off. I have driven a loaner car of similar years and they do not operate the same. This car is an outlier.
A known issue. "Clutch slow to fill" is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be fixed with an "update" but tried to charge over $300 for the "update" when it is a defect that should have been fixed under warranty for free or have a recall.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.Pontiac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.GM is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect.
Rear drivetrain component failure
In July of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential May fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation GM issued recall 07v-589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate…
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac CTS years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (84), 2005 (82), 2004 (52), 2006 (45) and 2007 (33) model years. Transmission complaints make up 58% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Cadillac CTS transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-338 (automatic transmission, Jun 19, 2014); 07V-589 (seal, Dec 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the driveline › differential unit (109 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (21).
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.