NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
224 reports75,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrash
BRAKE FAILURE IN CADILLAC CTS I HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION IN A PDF THAT EXPLAINS OUR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS DOCUMENTS MULTIPLE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS. HOW DO I SEND IT TO YOU? THE BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMPLETELY FAILING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN SEEMS INEVITABLE. …
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BRAKE FAILURE IN CADILLAC CTS I HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION IN A PDF THAT EXPLAINS OUR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS DOCUMENTS MULTIPLE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS. HOW DO I SEND IT TO YOU? THE BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMPLETELY FAILING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN SEEMS INEVITABLE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352482
56,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Structure
BACK PLASTIC PIECE THAT COVERS MY LICENSE PLATE FELL OFF, I HAVE 2004 CADILLAC CTS AND I BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. TO REPLACE THIS PIECE COSTS AROUND $1200.00. HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO BEFORE CADILLAC TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ITS A CADILLAC A PIECE OF PLASTIC ON A $40,00…
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BACK PLASTIC PIECE THAT COVERS MY LICENSE PLATE FELL OFF, I HAVE 2004 CADILLAC CTS AND I BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. TO REPLACE THIS PIECE COSTS AROUND $1200.00. HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO BEFORE CADILLAC TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ITS A CADILLAC A PIECE OF PLASTIC ON A $40,000 CAR SHOULD NOT JUST FALL OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352470
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
69,500 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT TWISTED ON THIS '04 CADDY CTS WITH 70K MILES. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WANTED HRS OF LABOR GUESTIMATED AT $170 TO TAKE IT APART. ISN'T IT ESSENTIAL THAT A SAFETY FEATURE HOLDS UP. THE CAR IS MOSTLY DRIVEN BY A LIGHT WEIGHT WOMAN WHO IS VERY CAREFUL. I THOUGHT THE MA…
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THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT TWISTED ON THIS '04 CADDY CTS WITH 70K MILES. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WANTED HRS OF LABOR GUESTIMATED AT $170 TO TAKE IT APART. ISN'T IT ESSENTIAL THAT A SAFETY FEATURE HOLDS UP. THE CAR IS MOSTLY DRIVEN BY A LIGHT WEIGHT WOMAN WHO IS VERY CAREFUL. I THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD WARRANTY THE SEATBELT DESIGN LONGER! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAPPENED IN THE 20 CARS WE HAVE OWNED SINCE SEATBELTS WERE STANDARD. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUCH COMPLAINTS?> THESE FRONT BELTS COME FROM THE TOP OF THE SEAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351912
42,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH. HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH. HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WHEEL SENSORS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,150. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10348641
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTICE MAY 2010 AND AFTER WAS TOLD THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILAB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTICE MAY 2010 AND AFTER WAS TOLD THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER THREE MONTHS. SHE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY DEFECT NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10346852
4,200 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Electrical System
I PURCHASED A 2004 CTS IN MAY OF 2007. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE IS NOW 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE HAVING THE CAR ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START. THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK, THE FIRST TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS TESTED WE WERE T…
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I PURCHASED A 2004 CTS IN MAY OF 2007. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE IS NOW 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE HAVING THE CAR ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START. THE DASHBOARD GOES BLACK, THE FIRST TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS TESTED WE WERE TOLD IT WAS FINE. THE OTHER TIMES IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. NO CLEAR EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN FOR THE BREAKDOWN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT CAR GOES DEAD THE DASH PANEL IS BLACK AND SILENT. THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345307
82,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS AT STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 9/22/10 THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A HESITATION AND SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY CLEANING THE AIR INTAKE THAT HAD AN OILY DIRTY FILM ON IT. UPDATED 09/24/10 UPDATED 04-14-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW BEAMS ARE POORLY ILLUMINATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344071
24,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureInjury
TRUCK LID SLAMS DOWN. ALMOST KNOCKED ME OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341459
50,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD. THE RIGHT FRONT RIM BECAME DAMAGED, CAUSING THE EDGE OF THE RIM TO HIT THE BRAKE CALIPER AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD. THE RIGHT FRONT RIM BECAME DAMAGED, CAUSING THE EDGE OF THE RIM TO HIT THE BRAKE CALIPER AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10334251
Official recalls
6Sep 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2EA07017 · 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.
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