10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$10
Average Mileage:
74,800 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace oil filter manifold gasket (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2004 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #3

Jan 022015

CTS 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

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

I replaced the oil, per the recommendations in the owners manual. Several weeks later, my wife reported a check engine light, a loss of power, and loud engine "clanging." I took the vehicle to a Cadillac dealer, and was told that it was more than 3 quarts low on oil. They changed the oil, and we were back on our way. Yes, everything was how it should be as far as the drain plug, oil filter, and filler cap. There were no oil spots in my garage, nor my wife's parking spots at work. Furthermore, it was not smoking.

Since that time, I am putting about 1 quart of oil for every 300 miles driven. I lived with it for about a year, and finally took it back to Cadillac. They did an oil consumption test, and found very little oil loss after 500 miles. I was told that I need not bring it back for further testing. We again took the car home after paying for 1/2 hour of labor.

I returned to checking the vehicle once per week, and adding in a quart every 500 miles. I last checked the car about a week ago. Yesterday, my wife was stranded on the side of the highway. We had it towed to Cadillac, who reported (yet again) that the oil level was very low. No oil spots nor smoking, just like before. Cadillac indicated that repairs would be $7,000 to fix the engine, or $6,000 to replace the engine.

I've read that Cadillac says that it is within acceptable levels to consume one quart of oil for every 1,500 miles. I've never had a car consume so much oil. Cadillac doesn't seem to know why this happens, though I've read a ton about it online. If you buy this model of Cadillac, with the 3.6L engine. Be sure to check your oil once per week, or every time you fill your car. This is a rampant problem.

- fjcvoodoo, Columbia, TN, US

problem #2

Jun 132012

CTS 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,152 miles

I bought this car used & it started leaking shortly afterwards. The leak got worse & worse until I couldn't put it off anymore. Read online that it was most likely the oil filter manifold gasket so I went and bought a new gasket for about $10. Also read it takes about 6 hours to get it put on. After buying the gasket & seeing the obvious quality of it's design & getting about 2 hours into the replacement process, I got to where I could finally get a wrench on all five bolts & simply tightened them down. Problem solved. I've been driving it for almost a year since with no reocurrence.

- brojoe, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #1

Feb 012010

CTS Sport 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

Huge oil leak showed up at 100,000 km, 1 liter of oil A DAY!! Took it to a mechanic and he told me had to REPLACE THE ENGINE, WTF!! Took it to Cadillac, quoted 25 hours labour plus parts!! They said they were going to have to pull the engine. Very hard to see. Pouring out above air conditioner pump. Ended up taking driver side wheel off and crawled up and found the leak. $10.30 gasket on the oil filter manifold. Took me 6 hours to fix. You have to remove air cleaner assy, power steering pump, air conditioning pump, belt tensioner. 5 bolts hold the oil filter manifold on. Bolts must be tightened in right sequence and to 17 ft/lbs torque.

This problem could easily destroy an engine if it showed up while you were driving on the highway. My old Grand Marquis would tell me if I was down 1 liter of oil. This car only turns on the idiot light and that is when it is down 4 liters! Scared the sh&# out of me the first time it happened. Love the car but HATE the Cadillac Dealers.

- dovii, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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