NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
224 reports186,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. ALSO, THE ANTI- THEFT SERVICE SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DOORS TO UNLOCK A SCREW DRIVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALL OF THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. ALSO, THE ANTI- THEFT SERVICE SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DOORS TO UNLOCK A SCREW DRIVER WAS USED TO RELEASE THE MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
NHTSA ODI #10512780
82,649 miles · May 13, 2013
Exterior Lighting
JANUARY 29, 2012, VEHICLE HEADLAMP WENT OUT. I OBSERVED CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED WATER HAD ENTERED ASSEMBLY AND SHORTED OUT BALLAST AND BULB ON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. REPAIR COST: $646. APPROXIMATELY MAY 5, 2012, DURING RAINY WEATHER, SAME HEADLAM…
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JANUARY 29, 2012, VEHICLE HEADLAMP WENT OUT. I OBSERVED CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED WATER HAD ENTERED ASSEMBLY AND SHORTED OUT BALLAST AND BULB ON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. REPAIR COST: $646. APPROXIMATELY MAY 5, 2012, DURING RAINY WEATHER, SAME HEADLAMP WENT OUT. AGAIN, CONDENSATION IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. BULB AND BALLAST SHORTED OUT DUE TO WATER. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, REPAIR COST IN EXCESS OF $1200. COMPLAINED TO GM, AND THEY PROVIDED GOODWILL COST ADJUSTMENT, BUT STILL HAD TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $671. I'M AFRAID THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WILL DO THE SAME THING EVENTUALLY. GM NEEDS TO REPLACE FAULTY HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON VEHICLES DUE TO CONDENSATION CAUSED BY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN SEALING THE ASSEMBLY DURING PRODUCTION. THERE APPEARS TO BE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON GM VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511756
94,000 miles · May 6, 2013
Electrical System
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME (APRIL 29TH 2013), THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV SCREEN. KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND REINSERTED. AFTER TURNING THE KEY, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME (MAY 3RD 2013), THE CAR WAS…
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THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME (APRIL 29TH 2013), THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV SCREEN. KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND REINSERTED. AFTER TURNING THE KEY, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE SECOND TIME (MAY 3RD 2013), THE CAR WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AGAIN. THE MESSAGE: "ANTI-THEFT* WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CAR SAT-NAV DISPLAY. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY AND REINSERTING THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME OF THIS WEBSITE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE INCIDENT WITH CADILLAC CORPORATE. A REP FROM CADILLAC WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. SAID THAT I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK BETWEEN 5/6/2013 AND 5/9/2013 WITH THE OPTIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510790
150,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT WAS BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RETIGHTEN THE COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT WAS BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RETIGHTEN THE COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10507508
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM BOARD RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ECM BOARD WAS $800.00. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD NOT START. AND THE SAME MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE, FROM WHEN IT …
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2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM BOARD RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ECM BOARD WAS $800.00. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD NOT START. AND THE SAME MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE, FROM WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ODI #10492803
40,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Service Brakes
HI EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND STOP WORKING. WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR DRIVEWAYS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKES A LITTLE LIKE IF THE BRAKES ARE TRYING TO WORK BUT DON'T. THIS ONLY HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR SI…
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HI EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND STOP WORKING. WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR DRIVEWAYS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKES A LITTLE LIKE IF THE BRAKES ARE TRYING TO WORK BUT DON'T. THIS ONLY HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR SINCE I HAD THE CAR AND SINCE THEN HAD MANY PARTS REPLACED BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO COME BACK. I DID SEARCHES ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND READ THAT ONE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM WHERE MOST DEALERSHIPS HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND MANY PEOPLE JUST REPLACING PARTS AFTER PART WITH THE SAME ISSUE COMING BACK. THIS TO ME IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE DURING THOSE TIMES YOU CAN NOT STOP THE CAR AND IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. I ALSO SEEN PEOPLE MAKING REPORTS TO THIS WEBSITE AND FIGURED I WOULD DO THE SAME SINCE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ITS MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491443
115,313 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE AND SATURATED THE NOISE REDUCTION FOAM. ALSO, THE UNDER BODY FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE AND SATURATED THE NOISE REDUCTION FOAM. ALSO, THE UNDER BODY FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,313 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 115,402. UPDATED 2/19/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO SPRAYING FOAM IN THE INSIDE FOR NOISE CONTROL FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA ODI #10490787
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, CAUSING ME INJURIES AND EVENTUALLY SURGERY AND DISABILITY. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY- MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, RATHER HARD. I TRADED THIS VEHICLE IN LAST YEAR. SHOULD THE AIR BAG HAVE DEPLOYED? I THINK IF IT HAD, I WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THE INJURIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482190
143,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Power Train
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE MOST RECENT IS WITH MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE LATEST PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL PROMPTED AN ONLINE SEARCH WITH THE RESULTS SHOWING THAT EACH OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY CADILLAC CTS IS ONE THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH 1000'S OF OTHER 2004 CTS MODEL CADILLACS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479636
21,047 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheels
MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100…
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MULTIPLE, ARBITRARY INCIDENCES OF THE BRAKES SHAKING, KIND OF GRINDING AND CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP, GENERALLY WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR COMING TO ANY SLOW STOP. ALWAYS AT A LOW SPEED. SPOKE WITH TWO GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT IS DOCUMENTED CLOSE TO 100 TIMES ON THIS AND OTHER WEB SITES: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A/29 PLEASE CHECK THESE POSTS SINCE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHICH (AS STATED IN ONE OF THE POSTS) VERY WELL COULD BE A FAILURE IN THE DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN SOME OF THE WIRING HARNESSES CONNECTING THE EBCM TO THE SPEED SENSORS THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. WHATEVER THE CAUSE, ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT ANY BRAKE TROUBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES. THIS IS A DEADLY FLAW AND I EXPECT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO IT, EDUCATE DEALERS AND OWNERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477006
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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