10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,311 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Cadillac CTS drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #19

Apr 152022

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Under previous GM Safety Recall Bulletin 14233, loss of grease from the center constant velocity (CV) joint over time results in vibrations of the propeller shaft that are transferred to the roll over sensor located on the floor above it. The condition was repaired under this recall in 2014, three years after the vehicle was manufactured. It is now 2022, and the same issue has happened again. Now, GM claims that there are no open recalls on the vehicle, yet the manufacturer defect remains and the issue has resurfaced. Being a safety recall, the repair should be covered by GM as stated in the bulletin (14233) regardless if the repair has been completed in the past, as the defect remains a safety issue. The vehicle in reference has 5 bolts sheared and the last remaining bolt fixing the center CV joint to the transmission was about to fall out, caused by the vibration of the CV joint that lost its grease.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #18

Jan 022020

CTS

  • 149,500 miles
In 2014 GM issued a recall on the supersharger for the 2010 to 2015 Cadillac Cts V and the cameo ZR1 I didn't receive any notice about it. I am registered on the GM recall site I just found out about the recall now I am having the issue I called GM and there saying my car is out of mileage but it wasn't in 2014 and I only let the dealer work on it and they didn't say anything and when I spoke to GM she couldn't find any proof they notified me about the recall how can I get them to repair my car under the recall like they should have?my attorney said try to get your help first because you can make them comply I would appreciate a speedy response to if you can help me thank you.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #17

Jun 302016

CTS

  • 64,000 miles
Every time the automatic transmission is put in reverse and the vehicle wheels turned sharply to right or left, such as in backing- out of a tight parking space, the car labors to move backwards and binding noises emanate from differential or rear axle area of the car. This condition lessens and completely disappears as the steering wheel is returned to the straight forward or straight back position. I believe this condition has existed in earlier models of my vehicle and has been the subject of a recall. This malfunction has existed ever since I purchased the used car in June of 2016. Other than the described issue, the car has served me well.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #16

Jun 162020

CTS 8-cyl

  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2011 Cadillac Cts-V brand new on 04-12-11, my sealed rear end went out at 33,453 miles which I was out of warranty by 9 days so you guys made me pay $4690 for a 'new rear end that had updated parts that failed and I wouldn't have this problem ever again..... well here I am at 54,569 miles and I need another new rear ended replaced me and the dealer both agreed. Now this time since I had it replaced at 33,000 miles now 18,000 1/2 miles later I need another new rear end there's recalls on all your other ctsv models except for 2011 through 13 and they're all having the same problems with their sealed rear ends in the ctsv's and the sports models like I said I paid $100,000 for this car brand new nine years ago I put an average of 4500 miles on it every year my wife drives it 98% of the time and she doesn't drive it fast or aggressive at all there's a really extreme problem with your sealed electronica rear ends and axle shafts I reported this to the safety centers and there's currently 4000 cars experiencing the same problem as mine and with the 14 and 15 models there's 2800 people with the same problem in the same rear end just different years please makeand replace my rear end at no cost as it's not my fault your parts fail.... please get back to me as soon as possible my phone number is [xxx] my name is [xxx]. the way this happened again for the second time as I was driving in motion around cloverleaf about 20 miles an hour when all of a sudden it sounded like I was dragging garbage cans behind my car as to then I pulled over and put my hazards on and got out and looked behind my car to see nothing when I put it in drive again the car would not move and you just heard the rear and gears and pins spinning without making the car move extremely loud and dangerous my wife could' have been hurt if the rear end locked information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

problem #15

Feb 042020

CTS

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle which caused the vehicle to not accelerate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was shifted to neutral and back to drive and failed to respond. The vehicle was also shifted in reverse and failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to rohrich Cadillac 2116 w Liberty ave, pittsburgh, pa 15226 where they informed the contact that there was a spline between the transfer case and the transmission that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number to the contact. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Verona, PA, USA

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problem #14

Sep 012018

CTS

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Cts. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the drive train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V341000 (power train) although the failure was similar. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 152017

CTS

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The GM rear differential is defective on this 2011 Cadillac Cts I own. NHTSA did an investigation on these rear differentials to include the 2004 to 2007 rear ends. The same rear end is on Cadillac sts, Cts-V and these rear ends were continued to be placed by GM, without fix, in Cadillac Cts until 2013. Same design, same mechanical parts. My car is a 2011 that just had a new rear differential from GM put in to solve its issues. After installation, the same problems exist with a roaring and thumping noise that has been verified by repair shops coming from the old and new rear differential. These issues are either with the side differential carrier bearings and/or the ring and pinion system. GM has never provided a fix except to recommend a different viscosity of fluid that only quietens down the noise. Eventually, the rear ends have catastrophic failure and have caused, as investigated by the NHTSA, the car to spin and injury or worse result. This issue has never been fixed by GM and they continue to sell and install rear differentials for which there is no fix. I discussed this also at length with service manager of sewell Cadillac in dallas Texas and they state that they replace these rears all of the time and that there is not fix for them by GM. I have enclosed my complaint to the repair shop that put the new GM rear end on my car without exercising their due diligence and research as to installing a major component on a car for which there is no fix by GM and the distinct possibility of a failure that would cause injury or death.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

problem #12

Dec 192016

CTS

  • 55,000 miles
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. This also occurred on a main artery in rush hour traffic as well, an accident was avoided in this instance as well due to the other vehicles ability to brake and veer away.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

problem #11

Jan 282016

CTS

  • 66,000 miles
My Cadillac Cts 2011 has had a failure in the rear differential, twice since I have owned it. The first time was Sept 2013 and the entire rear differential had to be replaced, and now Jan 2016, the exact same issue has occurred. There is a service bulletin on the vehicle of SB11084 and an NHTSA item number 10038765. It is a same that this is a know problem and a recall has not been generated. The vehicle will be out of the powertrain warranty at the end of February so unless a recall is done, this will not be covered on its next failure in a year.

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #10

Jun 012015

CTS

  • 95,796 miles
I just returned from my local Cadillac dealer and had to replace the left rear wheel hub and sensor. This is the third time I have had top replace the wheel hubs as the last 2 were the right rear and left front ones. I am curious to know if this is an ongoing problem related to any specific disclosed or non disclosure by Cadillac. I questioned the service advisor at Cadillac and he suggested that I hang onto the damaged parts and invoices for the repairs. I inquired further with the service advisor if this was an outstanding issue with this model and he suggested that there have been problems with 2008-2012 Cadillac wheel hubs. I wanted to alert NHTSA to this and suggest that maybe there should be some input from Cadillac with regards to an issue that should be looked at further.

- Woburn, MA, USA

problem #9

Aug 012014

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V341000 (air bags, power train) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the parts needed were unavailable for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced the failure.

- Jefferson, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 202014

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
GM issued recall #N140233, NHTSA recall #14V341 on Aug.04, 2014. We took our car to an authorized GM dealer on Sept. 14 at which time they ordered a replacement part (#34106) which GM has yet to supply as of this date, Nov. 20, 2014. Upon checking with another dealer we were told they too are having trouble getting the necessary part from GM.

- Roach, MO, USA

problem #7

Jun 072014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 30,922 miles
Had just accelerated after stopping at red light, reaching approx 25mph when we heard a very loud grating metal grinding sound. Alarmed we immediately started to pull over when the side airbags deployed. We were able to get out of the flow of traffic and onto the side of the road. We were dazed trying to make sense of what had happened. My husband was the driver and had received a large cut on his left forearm. We had owned this Cts for 10 weeks and had not as yet signed up for onstar. While trying to stop his bleeding I realized that the blow from the airbags had knocked my glasses off and I couldn't find my cell phone, I pushed the onstar button and gave them our information and they could not have been more helpful. After establishing that we were on the side of the road and out of immediate danger they arranged for a tow truck to take us to medved Cadillac. As this was a sat. We were not able to speak with the repair dept. Until mon.we were told that GM had to give approval to repair the vehicle. Eighteen days later 6/26 we picked up the car and were told that the entire car and all systems had been checked and that it was safe. Four days later 6/30 I was driving home and heard a clacking noise. I stopped and looked at my tires thinking I had a flat. Proceeded the few blocks to get home really afraid to get back in this car. We were going to take it back to medved but drove a few blocks from home and stopped at a light. Turned the corner heard a loud metal clunk, felt it on the floorboard as well. Had no acceleration to speak of. I turned on the flashers and tried to get out of traffic. Was able to coast home and call onstar. Spoke to a GM rep at that time and he said to have it towed back to medved.the next day 7/2 we were told that the drive shaft bolts had been sheared off but it was repaired. I refused the car.

- Broomfield, CO, USA

problem #6

Apr 022014

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
S10 appropriate handling- letter to the secretary from constituents re copy of letter to mary barra, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), General Motors expressing dissatisfaction with after service care. The consumer stated there was a loud ticking noise coming from the vehicle, when it was started. The dealer inspected the vehicle, and assured the consumer the vehicle was dependable. On May 27, 2014 the consumer felt a mild vibration through the steering wheel. The dealer stated the balance was off, but everything was fine. On June 15, 2014, while driving, the consumer heard a loud bang, then a rough ticking sound and felt a shudder through the steering wheel. He gently braked and pulled over to the shoulder, inspected the vehicle, but found nothing wrong. After the vehicle was inspected again, and being told there was nothing wrong. He continued to experience a vibration through the steering wheel, and the thumping became more pronounced. Also, the vehicle lurched and a loud bang and heavy vibration, was flt throughout the car. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The consumer explained to the dealer about the vibration tear in the cloth shield he discovered, the tow truck driver brought two of the four that held the drive shaft together to the service representative. The dealer informed the consumer the vibration tear was a cigarette burn, and the drive shaft bolts falling out of the vehicle and bearing failure were issues address several times before. After the vehicle was returned to the consumer, there was low pitched whistle during light to moderate acceleration, which he did not hear when he first purchased the vehicle. Also, there was a light weight oil/fluid leaking from under the engine area. He noticed the fuel consumption range had dropped from 17-18 mpg to 15 mpg. The rear end felt less stable and there was a slight shift when coming off driveways or over uneven pavement. (2011 Cadillac Cts).

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #5

May 262014

CTS

  • 33,602 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle made a loud clanking noise in the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that a new drive shaft and pinion slang needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,602.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #4

May 242014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 17,400 miles
Driving on a curvy country road the engine suddenly died, I lost power steering and almost ran off the road. I was able to coast to a stop. I put the car in park and it started immediately. The car does not have an ignition key, only a fob. The engine is 3.6 Cts 4. I drove 2 miles back home and parked the car and will not drive it again until a resolution is obtained for the problem.

- Manassas , VA, USA

problem #3

Jul 172013

CTS

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated while shifting gears it seized in reverse. The vehicle approached speeds up to 80 mph and only stopped after he crashed into a home. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired nor was the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Boyten Beach , FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 012013

CTS 8-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
Loud supercharger grinding noise.

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #1

Oct 092012

CTS 6-cyl

  • 23,698 miles
While having the oil changed at the dealer, the drive shaft snapped in two. This happened when a technician was moving the car after the service was completed. Aluminum drive shaft snapped at a circumferential weld in drive shaft pipe.

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

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