NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
277 reports400 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: NO ABUSE, NO TIRE BURNING. VEHICLE USED FOR COMMUTING AND JOB RELATED PURPOSES. PROBLEMS & RESOLUTIONS: 7/11/2005 7/18/2005 PROBLEM SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF RATTLING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY RIGHT-REAR SAIL PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED PIXELS BURN ON NAV SCREEN - NAV U…
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EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: NO ABUSE, NO TIRE BURNING. VEHICLE USED FOR COMMUTING AND JOB RELATED PURPOSES. PROBLEMS & RESOLUTIONS: 7/11/2005 7/18/2005 PROBLEM SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF RATTLING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY RIGHT-REAR SAIL PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED PIXELS BURN ON NAV SCREEN - NAV UNIT REPLACED WHEELS SCRATCHED - DEALER PAID FOR REPAIR FRONT PANEL LOOSE - REPLACED LOOSE PANEL 7/25/2005 7/27/2005 LEFT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED DASH PANEL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 8/22/2005 8/24/2005 WHEEL HOP - SERVICE BULLETIN WARRANTY REPAIR HARD TO PUT IN REVERSE - DEALER SAYS NORMAL GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING - ALIGNED EXHAUST SYSTEM SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF MATERIAL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 10/19/2005 10/23/2005 FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION - WARRANTY REPAIRED 11/21/2005 11/23/2005 SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY DRIVETRAIN ROUGH - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT - TIRES BALD @ 9000 MILES BATTERY FAILURE - WARRANTY REPAIRED GRINDING IN 5TH GEAR - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY 11/29/2005 12/1/2005 RATTLE FROM REAR - WARRANTY REPAIR SUSPENSION RIGHT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIR; DEALER WARNED THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AS "SOMEONE" IS BRAKING THE PANELS ON PURPOSE 2/6/2006 2/8/2006 CLUNK FROM REAR - DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL/DRIVETRAIN UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. 5TH GEAR SOMETIMES HITS REVERSE - COULD NOT VERIFY GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER FORGOT TO CHECK UNIT WON'T PLAY CDS - REPLACED NAVIGATION/RADIO 2/15/2005 2/17/2006 GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY; AREA REP ADVISED THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FUTURE FAILURES. COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150571
18,500 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Power Train
FAILED REAR DIFFERENTIAL: CASE CRACKED, SPILLING DIFFERENTIAL OIL ONTO THE REAR OF MY CAR, REAR WHEELS, STREET. CAR BEGAN TO GRIND, HAD TO LIMP TO DEALER, STILL IN SHOP AFTER 1 WEEK WITH NO WORD ON WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. *JB THANKFULLY NO INJURIES, BUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL DUMPED ONTO THE EXHAUST, TIRES AND STREET COULD HAVE BEEN A…
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FAILED REAR DIFFERENTIAL: CASE CRACKED, SPILLING DIFFERENTIAL OIL ONTO THE REAR OF MY CAR, REAR WHEELS, STREET. CAR BEGAN TO GRIND, HAD TO LIMP TO DEALER, STILL IN SHOP AFTER 1 WEEK WITH NO WORD ON WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. *JB THANKFULLY NO INJURIES, BUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL DUMPED ONTO THE EXHAUST, TIRES AND STREET COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10150519
23,000 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
05 CADILLAC CTS 2.8L TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55/60 MILES PER HOUR...CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID COLLISION, I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND CAR DIED. I CALLED DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND ADVISED, ASKING WAS THIS SOME KIND OF SPECIAL FEATURE, DEALER ADVISED CAR NOT DESIGNED TO DO SUCH AND ASKED ME ABOUT QUANTITY OF GAS I HAD IN T…
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05 CADILLAC CTS 2.8L TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55/60 MILES PER HOUR...CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID COLLISION, I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND CAR DIED. I CALLED DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND ADVISED, ASKING WAS THIS SOME KIND OF SPECIAL FEATURE, DEALER ADVISED CAR NOT DESIGNED TO DO SUCH AND ASKED ME ABOUT QUANTITY OF GAS I HAD IN THE VEHICLE. I ADVISED 1/4 TANK AND DEALER EXPLAINED BY SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES ALL GAS RAN TO FRONT OF TANK LEAVING AIR POCKET CAUSING CAR TO DIE....ALSO AFTER JUST PURCHASING THE CAR, SITTING AT RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR SHOOK AND MOTOR REVVED UP HIGH RPMS AND DIED...BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE DID START BACK UP.. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT DUE TO DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE MUST DO THE SAME THING TO THEM. I AM FULLY AWARE RECALL IS IT OUT FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND UNABLE TO GET ANY COOPERATION FROM DEALERSHIPS REGARDING THE ABOVE PROBLEM....THE RECALL ADVISED MUST KEEP 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR MORE IN VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES TO AVOID ENGINE FAILURE, ALSO STATES WILL HAVE TO REPROGRAM THE ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) WITH NEW SOFTWARE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150506
17,800 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC CTS-V WITH 17800 MILES. IT HAS DEVELOPED A WHINE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. UPON INVESTIGATING FURTHER, I FOUND THIS HAS NOT BEEN UNUSUAL FOR THIS MODEL. (GM HAS USED THE SAME DIFFERENTIAL IN THIS CAR AS THEY PUT IN THE BASE CTS MODEL, WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TORQUE) UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE GM DE…
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I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC CTS-V WITH 17800 MILES. IT HAS DEVELOPED A WHINE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. UPON INVESTIGATING FURTHER, I FOUND THIS HAS NOT BEEN UNUSUAL FOR THIS MODEL. (GM HAS USED THE SAME DIFFERENTIAL IN THIS CAR AS THEY PUT IN THE BASE CTS MODEL, WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TORQUE) UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE GM DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL, BUT WOULD HAVE TO AWAIT PARTS TO DO SO. THEY ARE TO CALL ME WHEN THEY GET THE PARTS IN STOCK. THEY ALSO SAID THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN UPDATED AND HAVE ORDERED A NEW CLUTCH ALSO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150463
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2006
Power Train
REAR WHINE IN TRANSMISSION, DEALER STATES IS NORMAL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150459
11,550 miles · Feb 14, 2006
Power Train
I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING "NORMALLY" AND A "CLUNK" WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. IT HAD TO BE PUT ON A FLAT BED TRUCK AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE RIGHT HAND HALF SHAFT BROKE IT TWO PIECES AND DESTROYED THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE PROCESS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150218
2,734 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Power Train
WHINING FROM REAR END. REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149608
11,200 miles · Feb 6, 2006
Power Train
THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MY CAR HAS STARTED TO WHINE AFTER ~11K MILES DESPITE, PERHAPS, THE LEAST ABUSIVE DRIVING THAT IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT THIS CAR IS A CTS-V. TO SAY I AM DISAPPOINTED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT GM HAS USED AN UNDER-ENGINEERED P…
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THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MY CAR HAS STARTED TO WHINE AFTER ~11K MILES DESPITE, PERHAPS, THE LEAST ABUSIVE DRIVING THAT IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT THIS CAR IS A CTS-V. TO SAY I AM DISAPPOINTED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT GM HAS USED AN UNDER-ENGINEERED PART FOR ITS DIFFERENTIAL FOR REASONS I'M NOT REAL CERTAIN OF. MULTIPLE FAILURES ARE BEING REPORTED ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MANY WITH SIMILAR DRIVING HABITS THAT I HAVE. THE CTS-V DIFFERENTIAL IS A LIMITED SLIP 3.73 APPLICATION AND REQUIRES ~ 7% FRICTION MODIFIED OIL. SUCH FLUID WAS CHANGED SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AGO AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AND THE PROPER OIL WAS ADDED. I PLAN ON TAKING MY CAR IN FOR EVALUATION/SERVICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT GMS DECISION TO INSTALL A CLEARLY KNOWN "BAD" PART IS WHOLLY EGREGIOUS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149597
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2006
Power Train
TOOK DELIVERY MAY, 2005. IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES, DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN TO WHINE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH, ONCE UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ~5,200 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL NOW WHINES BETWEEN 40 AND 55 MPH. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSENSUS AMONG MANY CTS OWNERS THAT THI…
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TOOK DELIVERY MAY, 2005. IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES, DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN TO WHINE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH, ONCE UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ~5,200 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL NOW WHINES BETWEEN 40 AND 55 MPH. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSENSUS AMONG MANY CTS OWNERS THAT THIS CONDITION IS A PRECURSOR TO COMPLETE, AND SOMETIMES SUDDEN, DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149596
5,375 miles · Feb 6, 2006
Power Train
1-REAR END WINE HIGH PITCH 2-REAR DIFFERENTIAL DEFECT 3-REPLACED WITH AN 06 DIFFERENTIAL & THREE WEEKS LATTER LEAKING OIL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149593
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.
Dec 17, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.
Dec 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.
Jan 25, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
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
3EQ11001 · Iee Passenger Sensing System Mats
Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Jul 19, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold.If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger airbag could become disabled.Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.This issue was assigned recall number 10V-644.On February 8, 2011, RMD mailed an information request (IR) letter to IEE requesting a list of purchasers for any company that was sold the same or similar defective mats.RMD also requested IEE supply the year, make and models of compatible vehicles for each of the mats it listed in its response.IEE responded on February 15, 2011, reporting that the mats recalled in GM recall 10V-644 were developed specifically for the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.IEE noted that, ...the CTS Sensor Mat is not the same or similar to any other sensor mat manufactured by IEE.IEE further explained that the sensor mats were sold to Lear Corp. (Lear), for incorporation into seat assemblies, with the seat assemblies finally being sold to GM.Also, some sensor mats were sold to Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, LLC (IMA) who would then re-sell the mats to GM to use as service parts.Ultimately, these parts were all sold to GM for use in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles.According to its 10V-644 Defect Report, GM reported that some vehicles outside the recall population have ...significantly lower incident rates and will be provided a special coverage.This special coverage includes a free repair should the same issue occur to non-recalled 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles up to 10 years or 120,000 miles.On April 7, 2011, RMD mailed an IR letter to GM to gather more information on GM's decision to only recall a portion of the vehicles that contained the subject IEE mats.RMD also requested that GM provide updated to current warranty claims, field reports, and other field information for CTS vehicles both recalled and those under the special coverage.On May 19, 2011, GM responded with a letter and several CD attachments that were submitted to NHTSA's Office of the Chief Counsel along with a request for confidentiality.GM confirmed that the IEE mats recalled in 10V-644 were only used in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.GM also explained its reasoning in only recalling a portion of the CTS vehicles containing IEE mats.Due to various production phases, error detections, and false corrections, certain vehicles were more prone to mat failures than other vehicles.GM identified 4 distinct seat assembly production periods and chose to recall CTS vehicles depending on which seat assembly each vehicle received.Examining the data submitted in regards to warranty claims, field reports, and incidents, the CTS vehicles that were included in the safety recall were responsible for about 80% of the overall claims.CTS vehicles included in the special coverage (essentially an extended warranty), those with seat assemblies from other identified production phases, were responsible for about 20% of the overall claims.As GM has provided clear data to support its recall decision and since no other manufacturer has installed these same or similar passenger sensing system mats / seat assemblies in their vehicles, this Equipment Query is satisfied.This EQ is cl
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.
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