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2015 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Cadillac Cts are lower than the model-year median of 101.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

24 reports with mileage · 23 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

19 reports
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98,000 miles · Jul 16, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact exited the highway and drove to the nearest mechanic shop at a gas station. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear differential was fractured and needed to b…

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The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact exited the highway and drove to the nearest mechanic shop at a gas station. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear differential was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11673962

125,000 miles · Oct 4, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle while the vehicle was shifting into gears. The vehicle was taken to AMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be re…

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The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle while the vehicle was shifting into gears. The vehicle was taken to AMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000(Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11618015

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2024
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properl…

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The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manual at the time of the torque converter seal replacement. The faulty component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others was put at risk due to the vehicle's hesitation to accelerate after stopping, a direct consequence of the low transmission fluid. This hesitation causes a sudden loss of power while driving, increasing the likelihood of an accident. THere is a delay and then a hard shift when off , a significant bump when shifting from first to second gear and when I stop it feels like I've been rear ended by another car. The issue has been confirmed by multiple service centers, including Parker Cadillac, ORR Cadillac, and Christian Brothers Automotive, all of which identified the transmission pump seal as the source of the leak and the resulting damage to the transmission. Additionally, Christian Brothers Automotive found that the torque converter seal was also leaking, further contributing to the vehicle's transmission problems. Despite efforts to have GM engineers inspect the vehicle at ORR Cadillac, they declined. However, Christian Brothers Automotive has provided a thorough inspection and diagnostic of the .There were no warning lamps or error codes indicating the issue, as it was a mechanical failure rather than an electronic one. The symptoms became apparent when the vehicle began hesitating after coming to a stop, and a transmission fluid leak was discovered during the inspection​

NHTSA ODI #11615828

157,000 miles · May 28, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact also became aware of an abnormal sound near the brake pads; however, the contact stated that the sound was not coming from the brake pads. No warning …

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The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact also became aware of an abnormal sound near the brake pads; however, the contact stated that the sound was not coming from the brake pads. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #11591158

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2023
Power Train

My rear differential gear is failing on my 2015 Cadillac CTS luxury 2.0T. I just reached approx 69,000 miles upon returning from an approx 2,200 mile trip to the east coast from Texas. I noticed a whine like noise after my drive back to Texas that seemed to get louder and louder coming from the rear of the vehicle. I took my veh…

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My rear differential gear is failing on my 2015 Cadillac CTS luxury 2.0T. I just reached approx 69,000 miles upon returning from an approx 2,200 mile trip to the east coast from Texas. I noticed a whine like noise after my drive back to Texas that seemed to get louder and louder coming from the rear of the vehicle. I took my vehicle to Firestone for inspection and it was confirmed the rear differential was failing. i was also advised the the seal were leaking as noted in the attached report. I was shown the drain plug which had an abundance of metal shavings present to confirm. The fluid was replaced and I was advised to follow up ASAP. Upon researching the issue I discovered this is a common issue confirmed on the Cadillac forums. This issue could’ve left me stranded or worse, caused an accident as I was traveling around the Christmas and the New Year to visit family during peak travel times. There were no warning signs or indications via my vehicle warning systems nor was there any contact from my Cadillac dealer or GM representatives. My vehicle is currently available for inspection as the issue has not been resolved.

NHTSA ODI #11507056

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2022
Power Train

Was simply driving my normally and out of no where there was a loud pop and driving the car all I heard was a loud grinding noise as I stepped on the gas, and the car would not shift into reverse. No lights or warnings had ever popped up into the dash. Also very strong burning and metal smell came from the car. I have taken the …

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Was simply driving my normally and out of no where there was a loud pop and driving the car all I heard was a loud grinding noise as I stepped on the gas, and the car would not shift into reverse. No lights or warnings had ever popped up into the dash. Also very strong burning and metal smell came from the car. I have taken the car to an independent repair shop and was determined the rear differential has gone bad. Apparently many other people with similar year vehicles have had the same issues with this make and model of car, to add on another car like mines came into the same shop with the same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11489605

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

The vacuum pump failed and caused catastrophic engine failure. The vacuum pump was constructed with substandard design and the composition of the parts within the vacuum pumps internal components. The vacuum pump is an integral part of the emissions system, the braking system and the engine. This is not an isolated incident as t…

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The vacuum pump failed and caused catastrophic engine failure. The vacuum pump was constructed with substandard design and the composition of the parts within the vacuum pumps internal components. The vacuum pump is an integral part of the emissions system, the braking system and the engine. This is not an isolated incident as the replacement vacuum pump, even if replaced, will fail again. The pump should have been designed with a shear pin so the engine camshaft would not have been destroyed.

NHTSA ODI #11473795

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2022
Power Train

The recall that was done on the 2014-2015 CTS-V should have been a recall on ALL models of CTS because all of the models in the timeframe received the dsame flawed rear differential. My 2015 CTS Luxury has only 80k miles on it and the differential has chunks of metal in its oil. It is the exactaame differential as is in the CTS-…

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The recall that was done on the 2014-2015 CTS-V should have been a recall on ALL models of CTS because all of the models in the timeframe received the dsame flawed rear differential. My 2015 CTS Luxury has only 80k miles on it and the differential has chunks of metal in its oil. It is the exactaame differential as is in the CTS-V. At any time my rear end will lock up once the dofferential fully eats itself. It is an extreme saftey hazard for anyone driving any type of CTS from 2014-2015.

NHTSA ODI #11470538

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2022
Power Train

2015 Cadillac CTS Luxury, 81k miles, rear differential has metal chunks in its fluid and makes load roaring sound. Dealership mecahnics said that the differential dailing that early is a known issue, and if it had progressed rhe differential would have seized up and the rear tires would have locked up. No parts available anywher…

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2015 Cadillac CTS Luxury, 81k miles, rear differential has metal chunks in its fluid and makes load roaring sound. Dealership mecahnics said that the differential dailing that early is a known issue, and if it had progressed rhe differential would have seized up and the rear tires would have locked up. No parts available anywhere for differential replacement or overhaul.

NHTSA ODI #11466937

80,000 miles · Feb 22, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the rear end of the vehicle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the failure as a leak in the rear differential. The contact was initially inform…

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The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the rear end of the vehicle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the failure as a leak in the rear differential. The contact was initially informed that the repair would be covered under warranty; however, a few days later, the contact was informed otherwise. He was then informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty and was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11453376

Official recalls

3

26V329000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 21, 2026

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

18V595000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Sep 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.

15V358000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Jun 9, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.