NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
146 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 11, 2021
SuspensionWheels
Our mechanic told us that the differential is making a grinding sound and he add differential fluid, but said the problem would only get worse. The car only has 62k miles on it and it is VERY EXPENSIVE to have the differential replace/repaired. I feel that this is a defect of the car and should be recalled by Cadillac to have …
Read full complaint
Our mechanic told us that the differential is making a grinding sound and he add differential fluid, but said the problem would only get worse. The car only has 62k miles on it and it is VERY EXPENSIVE to have the differential replace/repaired. I feel that this is a defect of the car and should be recalled by Cadillac to have the differential replaced. For the differential to go bad at 60k miles is unacceptable and is terrible reliability.
NHTSA ODI #11428635
55,000 miles · Aug 10, 2021
Power Train
The Contact owns 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The man…
Read full complaint
The Contact owns 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11428511
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2021
Power Train
I brought my car to my trusted local mechanic, and he informed me that the noise I was hearing from the rear of my car was the differential. He also informed me that it was dangerous because it could lock up, causing my car to go into a skid and lose control. I did some due diligence on the internet and discovered it’s a commo…
Read full complaint
I brought my car to my trusted local mechanic, and he informed me that the noise I was hearing from the rear of my car was the differential. He also informed me that it was dangerous because it could lock up, causing my car to go into a skid and lose control. I did some due diligence on the internet and discovered it’s a common problem, and although it has been recalled on the sub model of the V sport, the standard CTS has not been recalled.
NHTSA ODI #11428289
177,000 miles · Jun 3, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, there was a loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The speed was reduced however, the sound became louder. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be rep…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, there was a loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The speed was reduced however, the sound became louder. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
NHTSA ODI #11419539
70,000 miles · May 28, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the rear differential was making a loud grinding sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the rear differential was making a loud grinding sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11418931
83,000 miles · Apr 10, 2021
Back Over PreventionLane DeparturePower Train
HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELORATOR, TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET A INSPECTION AND TURNS OUT THE ROLL PINS IN THE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ARE CLOSE TO FRACTURING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL IN THIS REGUARD TO 2014-15 CADILLAC CTS (V-SPORT) MODELS…
Read full complaint
HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELORATOR, TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET A INSPECTION AND TURNS OUT THE ROLL PINS IN THE REAR-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ARE CLOSE TO FRACTURING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL IN THIS REGUARD TO 2014-15 CADILLAC CTS (V-SPORT) MODELS BUT NO OTHER CTS MODELS GET THE RECALL. I HAVE A 2014 CADILLAC CTS (LUXURY) SEDAN, HOPING THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR ALL CTS MODELS IN REGARDS TO THE HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11407387
80,000 miles · Mar 25, 2021
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE ISSUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE ISSUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11404821
95,000 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DeparturePower Train
2014 CADILLAC CTS AWD. VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING WHILE TURNING. WHICH TURNED INTO A WHINE AND THEN GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. NOISE STARTS AT 30 MPH AND INCREASES AS SPEED INCREASES. HAVE SEEN MANY CASES OF CADILLAC REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILING. ISSUE VERIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP FEBRUARY 2021. NOW GM HAS NO REPLACEMEN…
Read full complaint
2014 CADILLAC CTS AWD. VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING WHILE TURNING. WHICH TURNED INTO A WHINE AND THEN GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. NOISE STARTS AT 30 MPH AND INCREASES AS SPEED INCREASES. HAVE SEEN MANY CASES OF CADILLAC REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILING. ISSUE VERIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP FEBRUARY 2021. NOW GM HAS NO REPLACEMENT UNITS OR REPAIR PARTS FOR THIS DIFFERENTIAL. GM PART 84110751
NHTSA ODI #11404360
71,000 miles · Mar 15, 2021
Steering
THE EPS SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIME FAILS 03IN MOTION
NHTSA ODI #11403142
96,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Power Train
STARTING AROUND THE END OF FEBRUARY, MY 2014 CTS 3.6 AWD STARTED TO HAVE NOISE FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING. THE NOISE BECOMES LOUDER IF I DRIVE FASTER AND THE CAR WOBBLES. I FEEL EXTREME UNSAFE AND HAVE VISITED INDIVIDUAL MECHANICS, AND MECHANICS TOLD ME THE ISSUE IS FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE …
Read full complaint
STARTING AROUND THE END OF FEBRUARY, MY 2014 CTS 3.6 AWD STARTED TO HAVE NOISE FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING. THE NOISE BECOMES LOUDER IF I DRIVE FASTER AND THE CAR WOBBLES. I FEEL EXTREME UNSAFE AND HAVE VISITED INDIVIDUAL MECHANICS, AND MECHANICS TOLD ME THE ISSUE IS FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS, AND CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THROUGH MY RESEARCH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG THE CTS MODEL. HOWEVER, WHILE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE CTS VSPORT, NO ACTIONS ARE TAKEN FOR OTHER VERSIONS OF CTS. FROM NHTSA COMPLAINT SITE, SEVERAL COMPLIANT CASES HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE NON-SPORT CTS. THERE ARE OTHER CASES MENTIONED ACROSS THE INTERNET: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/UCMIMOHFEPQ . THIS PROBLEM SOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY TO AVOID SAFETY RISKS. I BELIEVE THIS REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO 1.GET REPLACEMENT PART AND SERVICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUE ON MY CAR AND GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL COSTS 2.URGE THE MANUFACTURER TO PUT THE CTS MAKE ONTO THE RECALL LIST FOR SAFETY OF OTHER CTS OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #11398997
Official recalls
6Sep 7, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.
Oct 1, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
Jul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
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.
Jun 19, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
May 15, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Consequence: An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Consequence: An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗