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2004 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cts years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

172 reports with mileage · 52 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports1 fire reports21 injury reports

Power Train complaints

52 reports
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135,000 miles · Sep 17, 2011
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING FOR BUSINESS THE REAR END STARTED MAKING A GROWLING NOISE AND THEN IT STARTED TO CUT IN AND OUT. STILL MAKES NOISE AND CUTS IN AND OUT MORE IN TURNS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425853

61,971 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE BROKE OFF FROM THE RADIATOR AND THE FLUID SPILLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED, THERE WAS FLUID ON THE GROUND AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE BROKE OFF FROM THE RADIATOR AND THE FLUID SPILLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED, THERE WAS FLUID ON THE GROUND AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY AND REFILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,971 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,100. UPDATED 01/04/11. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10352390

34,842 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Power Train

I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PUT VEHICLE INTO FIRST GEAR, BEGAN TO LET OFF OF CLUTCH, HEARD & FELT A VERY LOUD BANG. REAR DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319346

89,160 miles · Mar 7, 2010
Power Train

2004 CTS W/ 89160 MILES COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF TRANS FLUID. HAD TOWED TO GM DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANS LINES TO THE RADIATOR WERE "STRIPPED " AND BOTH NEEDED REPLACING. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THIS AREA HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED OR TOUCHED. DEALER THAT WORKED ON PROBLEM IS ST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317454

35,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE UNSTABLE. INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE DIFFERENTIALS NEEDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE UNSTABLE. INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE DIFFERENTIALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10284255

71,700 miles · Dec 5, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE PINION SEAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL) APPLIED TO THE 2005-2007 MODELS. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE PINION SEAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL) APPLIED TO THE 2005-2007 MODELS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PINION SEAL FAILED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,700. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250824

1,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008
Power Train

2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CAR HAS MADE A LOUD NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SINCE PURCHASED. THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE NOISE AND JERKING OF REAR WHEELS CONTINUES. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE D…

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2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CAR HAS MADE A LOUD NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SINCE PURCHASED. THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE NOISE AND JERKING OF REAR WHEELS CONTINUES. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND JERKING, BUT THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS. I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND INFORMATION LISTED REVEALS THE CADILLAC CTS HAS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE DRIVE TRAIN HOWEVER GM HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245255

28,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC CTS 3.6L. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 28,000 MILE ON IT AND HAVE NOTICED A WHINING AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I BRUSHED IT OFF THINKING IT WOULD NOT BE ANYTHING. BUT THEN I DID RESEARCHED ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION BULLETINS THE REAR END PROBLEMS. I …

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I HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC CTS 3.6L. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 28,000 MILE ON IT AND HAVE NOTICED A WHINING AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I BRUSHED IT OFF THINKING IT WOULD NOT BE ANYTHING. BUT THEN I DID RESEARCHED ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION BULLETINS THE REAR END PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 TIMES OR MORE WITH COMPLAINTS AND THEY HAVE HEARD THE NOISE BUT TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL GEAR RASH NOISE YEAH RIGHT!!. HERE IS A LIST OF PI'S TAKE TO UR DEALERSHIP NOVEMBER 24, 2004 - PIP3140 - ABNORMAL NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING - KW ACCESSORY AFTERMARKET AXLE BUZZ CASE GROWL GROAN HOWL MOAN PROP RATTLE RESONANCE SHAFT TRANSMISSION WHINE BODY BOOM PART MODIFICATION NO OEM PIP3051PI03-05 CADILLAC CTS , CTS-V AND SRX HOWL WHINE NOISE FROM REAR AXLE - KW ACCELERATE DECELERATEJULY 8, 2004 PIP3140PIABNORMAL NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING - KW ACCESSORY AFTERMARKET AXLE BUZZ CASE GROWL GROAN HOWL MOAN PROP RATTLE RESONANCE SHAFT TRANSMISSION WHINE BODY BOOM PART MODIFICATION NO OEMNOVEMBER 24, 2004 PIP3152BPI 04-05 CADILLAC SRX, CTS, CTS-V AND 05 CADILLAC STS SHUDDER OR BIND ON LOW SPEED TURNS - KW DIFFERENTIAL GROAN GROWL MOAN NOISE REAR SLOW VIBRATION DECEMBER 7, 2004 PIP3152FPISHUDDER OR BIND ON LOW SPEED TURNS - KEYWORDS AXLE DIFFERENTIAL GROAN GROWL MOAN NOISE REAR SLOW VIBRATIONOCTOBER 28, 2005 PIP3051BPIHOWL WHINE NOISE FROM REAR AXLE - KEYWORDS ACCELERATE DECELERATE SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 PIP3051APIHOWL WHINE NOISE FROM REAR AXLE - KEYWORDS ACCELERATE DECELERATE MAY 20, 2005 PIP3152EPISHUDDER OF BIND ON LOW SPEED TURNS - KEYWORDS AXLE DIFFERENTIAL GROAN GROWL MOAN NOISE REAR SLOW VIBRATIONAPRIL 26, 2005 THEY HAVE EXTEND A "REAR END WARRANTY TO ME FOR ADDITIONAL 3YRS". CHECK INTO THIS AS IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY WHEN IT DOES GO OUT AS WE KNOW IT WILL HTTP://REARDIFF.JON04CTSV.COM/ <--- CHECK THIS SITE OUT *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239999

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2008
Power Train

2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON THE 2004-2005 CADILLAC CTS-V. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.…

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2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON THE 2004-2005 CADILLAC CTS-V. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10238290

34,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HER VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS FAILURES. SHE STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION, STEERING WHEEL SHAFT, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SHE WAS INFORMED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HER VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS FAILURES. SHE STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION, STEERING WHEEL SHAFT, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SHE WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT ALL. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT THE CONTACT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN OR TAKE IT BACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230757

Official recalls

6

14V542000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 9, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

10V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

05V024000 · Air Bags

Jan 20, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

04V273000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 9, 2004

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. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

03V346000 · Seats

Sep 29, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. A SEAT WITH ONLY ONE TAB ENGAGED OR NEITHER ENGAGED WOULD NOT MEET THE STATIC REARWARD LOADING TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS ARE FULLY SEATED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-800-458-8006.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA07017 · Rear Drivetrain Component Failure

Opened Dec 7, 2007 · Closed Jul 16, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

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 COMPLAINTS OF FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSINGS OR REAR HALF SHAFTS IN HIGH PERFORMANCE CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO GM, THESE FAILURES RESULTED FROM THE CUMULATIVE DAMAGE FROM MULTIPLE POWER HOP EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR DURING VERY AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. IN FEBRUARY 2008 INVESTIGATORS FROM ODI MET WITH GM REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT TESTING OF THE SUBJECT CTS-V VEHICLES.DURING THE TESTING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO CONSIDERABLE TORSIONAL FORCES FROM STANDING STARTS AND WHILE DRIVING.POWER HOP OCCURRED DURING SOME OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE TESTING DID NOT RESULT IN FAILURE OF ANY REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS.THE ENGINEERING DESIGN AND TESTING DATA SUPPLIED TO ODI BY GM AND THE RESULTS OF THE TESTING CONDUCTED BY ODI TEND TO SUPPORT GM'S POSITION THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL DESIGN IS NOT DEFECTIVE. COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT DO NOT INCLUDE THOSE INDICATIVE OF FAILURE OF THE REAR PINION SEAL IN CTS-V VEHICLES COVERED BY RECALL 07V-589. FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential

Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

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. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.