IllustrationEngine burns 1quart of oil, 100 miles. Brakes went to floor, brake lines had holes at 69,000 miles. Driver rear axel leaks. 2006 Cadillac CTS is a lemon!! Money Pit !!!
2006 Cadillac Cts
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cts years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
360–25K
4425–50K
5150–75K
3675–100K
50100–150K
10150K+
227 reports with mileage · 42 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports2 fire reports11 injury reports
Power Train complaints
45 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH CADILLAC OF AUBURN (154 W CREEK PKWY, AUBURN, AL 36830) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LEAKS WERE SEEN B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH CADILLAC OF AUBURN (154 W CREEK PKWY, AUBURN, AL 36830) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LEAKS WERE SEEN BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,090.
THE CAR REVS UP THE RPM VERY HIGH AND THE CAR WILL ONLY BE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THAT RETURNED THE CODE P1793.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CREST CADILLAC (2121 ROSA L PARKS BLVD, NASHVILLE, TN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION SUPPORT WERE NOT THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ENGINE INSTAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CREST CADILLAC (2121 ROSA L PARKS BLVD, NASHVILLE, TN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION SUPPORT WERE NOT THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED POWER WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER DISCOVERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED POWER WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER DISCOVERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED DOWN AFTER THE TRACTION ENGAGED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED RAPIDLY INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE SPEED BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY SLOW DOWN. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED DOWN AFTER THE TRACTION ENGAGED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED RAPIDLY INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE SPEED BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL INSTRUCTED HIM TO DEPRESS THE TRACTION BUTTON THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BUTTON AND IT RE-ENGAGED THE TRACTION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, I HAVE HAD A LOUD BANG IN THE REAR END WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. I HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT BUT THEY NEVER CORRECTED IT OR EVEN EXPLAINED IT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL THAT THEY DID REPLACE BUT IT DID NOT HELP THE BANG IN THE REAR E…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, I HAVE HAD A LOUD BANG IN THE REAR END WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. I HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT BUT THEY NEVER CORRECTED IT OR EVEN EXPLAINED IT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL THAT THEY DID REPLACE BUT IT DID NOT HELP THE BANG IN THE REAR END. RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL AND BUSHINGS WHICH ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL CAN SHIFT AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. I WENT BACK INTO THE DEALER WHO SENT 78 PAGES OF REPAIR AND COMPLAINT HISTORY OF THIS CAR TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO BASICALLY SAID IF I WOULD HAVE CONTACTED THEM WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY MIGHT TAKE STEPS WITH THE REPAIR. WELL I DID CONTACT THEM DURING THE EARLIER YEARS SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT TODAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, THE SHIFT LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE PINION SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, THE SHIFT LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE PINION SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE EASILY COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED IN TRAFFIC. GM MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IT IS POORLY DESIGNED COOLANT SYSTEM AND ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING THE FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS. *JS
Official recalls
614V542000 · 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.
10V644000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
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.
07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal
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.
06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.