2004 Cadillac CTS Suspension Problems

I am writing regarding a recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place and rendered the car undrivable. Fortunately, he was not injured or worse, but he was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed to our home and towed to our mechanic the following day. The repair needed and done was to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11612149

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

Recent incident regarding the left front control arm of our 2004 CTS Cadillac. There was a recall for the lower control arm ball nut/washer attaching the control arm, which could lead to disengagement of the control arm, disengagement of the wheel and tire, and possible crash. We purchased the car in 2015. The Cadillac Service Center in Beverly Hills confirmed that they have records showing the car was inspected, and the recalled piece replaced in 2006. The dealer at that time was named Martin Cadillac. The night of [XXX], my son was driving the CTS on the freeway at about 50 mph, when the front left tire and wheel suddenly twisted out of place, impairing the steering and motion, rendering the car undrivable. He was stranded in the middle of a busy freeway for more than 30 minutes until AAA arrived. The car was then towed on a flatbed to our home and towed on a flatbed to our mechanic the following day. The repairs needed and done were to replace the left front control arm, precisely the area noted in the recall notice. Also, it was necessary to repair the undercarriage that was damaged by the dislocated wheel and tire. The left front fender was also damaged by the action of the detached tire and wheel. The total repair cost we paid was $793.13 for the control arm and undercarriage. We are not currently driving the car, as we are concerned that the car is still unsafe, and we are renting a car meanwhile. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11602467

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

I GOT THE CAR TOOKEN BUT THEY DONT WANT GAVE IT BACK I DONT NOW THE RESON CAN U GUYS GET IT BK THANK U WITH MY FULL RESPECT GOING OUT TO U N UR WORKERS

NHTSA ID

11161743

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

1 mi

1) LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF MY EMPLOYER, TURNING RIGHT ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAY 2) ONE OCCURRENCE. THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM, HENCE DROPPING THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER ONTO OF THE WHEEL/TIRE. THE NUT "BACKED OFF" AND SLOWLY SPUN ITSELF OFF. THE NUT HAD NO VISIBLE "MARRING" OF THE METAL OR SHOWED SIGNS OF DISTRESS. THIS IS ALSO TRUEFOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT. 3) VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AND A NEW NUT WAS APPLIED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED BY GM FOR THE 2004 CADILLAC CTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEMS, GM HAS FAILED TO CURE THE PROBLEM AS " IT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE DESCRIBED LOT OF VEHICLES PER YOUR VIN # ". GIVEN THE MAJOR SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS SURROUNDING THE IMPROPER FUNCTION OF THIS PART IT IS IRRATIONAL TO BELIEVE THAT THE NUT WOULD JUST "BACK ITSELF OFF". *TR

NHTSA ID

10373571

Incident

Dec 23, 2010

Mileage

57,684 mi

IF YOU GO HERE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0F480A YOU WILL SEE THAT OUR CAR IS NOT THE FIRST CTS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM!!! MY IN-LAWS PURCHASED A CADILLAC CTS IN ILLINOIS IN 2004. THAT CAR NEEDED ITS FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING/SPEED SENSOR/HUB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT WAS REPLACED ON 2/906, 7/10/07, AND 12/3/07 IN IL, AND AGAIN IN CA IN 7/08. IN 12/07 MY IN-LAWS PURCHASED A NEW CAR AND GAVE THE '04 CTS TO MY HUSBAND AND I (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS). SINCE RECEIVING THIS CAR, IT INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED A 'SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST' WARNING. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING/SPEED SENSOR/HUB WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT A LOCAL CA DEALERSHIP ON 7/30/08. THE 'SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST' WARNING HAS CONTINUED TO BE DISPLAYED RARELY BUT INTERMITTENTLY DURING THIS TIME. EARLIER THIS SPRING, I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. WE TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE REPLACE THE TIRES (WHICH WE DID) AND THEN RECOMMENDED THAT WE REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING/SPEED SENSOR/HUB AGAIN FOR THE 5TH TIME. WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT (OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM) SO TOOK IT HOME TO INVESTIGATE. WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE WAY THE CAR WAS BRAKING AND TOOK IT BACK IN LAST WEEK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD AGAIN THAT WE SHOULD REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING/SPEED SENSOR/HUB ASSEMBLY. WE REFUSED ASKING THEM TO PLEASE FURTHER INVESTIGATE WHY THE SAME PART WAS FAILING. WE CALLED GM DIRECTLY AND THEY BECAME INVOLVED. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED YESTERDAY TO TELL US THAT IN FACT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL PART DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT ACTUALLY THE COMPUTER THAT NEEDS REPLACING. LIKELY THIS HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG (IE, THAT PART WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES WHEN IT HAS REALLY BEEN A COMPUTER ISSUE). THE CAR SHOWED THESE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST 20K MILES. GM REFUSES TO REIMBURSE FOR 4 UNNEEDED REPAIRS OR REPAIR THE ORIGINAL LEMON COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10324068

Incident

Apr 2, 2010

Mileage

19,144 mi

SPORADIC BRAKE FAILURES ON A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. CAR HAS HAD FRONT LEFT HUB/SPEED SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED 4 TIMES PER AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION STARTING AT <20K MILES. BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRING EVERY FEW DAYS, TYPICALLY AT LOW SPEED BUT NOW STARTING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NEARLY RAN OVER PEDESTRIAN IN PARKING LOT. ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN AVOIDED THUS FAR. CAR IS WITH DEALERSHIP; THEY SAY ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IS TO BLAME. CALLED GM; THEY REFUSE TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH PROBLEM STARTED WHEN CAR WAS 19 MONTHS OLD WITH <20K MILES. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ABS ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPDATED IVOQ 09/29/10 THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 10/29/10

NHTSA ID

10324052

Incident

Feb 10, 2006

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RESTING ON THE WHEEL, WHICH WAS ONLY ATTACHED BY THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V273000 (STEERING:LINKAGES) FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,600.

NHTSA ID

10232321

Incident

Jun 24, 2008

Mileage

20,600 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT HEARD A TAPPING AND GRINDING SOUND UNDER HER FEET WHILE DRIVING, AND ALSO FELT SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AND IS CURRENTLY MAKING REPAIRS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER HER VEHICLE IDENTIFCATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 07/29/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10231281

Incident

Feb 16, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HER VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS FAILURES. SHE STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION, STEERING WHEEL SHAFT, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SHE WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT ALL. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT THE CONTACT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN OR TAKE IT BACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ID

10230757

Incident

Feb 11, 2008

Mileage

34,000 mi

UPON COMPLETION OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TRIP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND CAME TO AN INVOLUNTARY DEAD STOP WITH A LOUD NOISE WITH THE RH FRONT END RESTING ON THE WHEEL. THE SUSPENSION ON THE GROUND. THE NUT RETAINING THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS MISSING. THE RH SIDES OF FRONT END COLLAPSED ON R FRONT WHEEL.. 2004 CADILLAC CTS. EARLIER MODELS HAD FACTORY RECALL FOR SAME LOOSE NUT NOT THIS MODEL. FRONT END COLLAPSING ON FRONT WHEEL AT HIGH SPEED IS GUARANTEED CATASTROPHE. IF A NUT IS RELIED ON TO RETAIN BALL JOINT, THAT NUT MUST BE POSITIVELY PREVENTED FROM LOOSENING BY HOLE THRU BOTH NUT AND BOLT, WITH COTTER PIN THROUGH HOLES. NO SUCH BASIC SAFETY IN EVIDENCE. DESIGN FLAW CATALYTIC CTS 2004 AND EARLIER MODELSA ALSO SUSPECTED. USED TO BE LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS - NOW - LOOSE NUTS KILL PEOPLE. BAD BAD BAD. *NM

NHTSA ID

10170796

Incident

Oct 9, 2006

Mileage

8,059 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AT 10 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE NUT HOLDING THE BOLT OF THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WROTE THE MANUFACTURER A LETTER PERTAINING TO THE PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED, AND HAD NOT RECEIVED A REPLY AS OF YET. *NM UPDATED 10/30/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10170748

Incident

Oct 9, 2006

Mileage

8,059 mi

REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2004 CADILLAC CTSV IS TOO WEAK. IT CLUNKS, AND PRODUCES EXCESSIVE WHEEL-HOP THUS NOT ALLOWING THE POWER TO TRANSFER. THE WHOLE REAR END OF THE CAR FROM THE BUSHINGS TO THE REAR CRADLE TO THE HALF SHAFTS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE CAR. OVER 1000'S OF CTS-V'S OF THE UNDER APPROX. 4,000 PRODUCED FROM 2004-2005 HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES. SERVICE CENTERS CLAIM EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. MY CAR IS CONTINUALLY IN THE SHOP. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THESE ITEM AND I HAVE A 6YR 100K WARRANTY. SERVICE CENTERS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THIS CAR, AND GM FAILED TO ENGINEER IT PROPERLY. IN ADDITION ALL OF MY INTERIOR PARTS RATTLE WHEN I STEP ON IT, AND SOME CONTINUE TO RATTLE DURING DAILY DRIVING. THE PAINT QUALITY OF THE EXTERIOR IS THE WORST I HAVE TO SEE YET. THERE ARE WEIRD BLOTCHES ALL OVER THE PLACE AND ARE OBVIOUSLY DUE TO POOR PAINT APPLICATION AT THE FACTORY. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND SO FAR HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, THE WHOLE NAV UNIT, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. AND ALREADY, THE NAV UNIT IS BEGINNING TO SHOW THE SAME INDICATIONS OF WHY IT GOT REPLACED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS STARTING TO MAKE NOISES AGAIN. ALSO, THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL PRODUCES LOTS OF NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10150028

Incident

Dec 10, 2005

FAILURE OF A SECOND REAR DIFFERENTIAL I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THE REAR WENT. THE CAR SHUT DOWN FORCING ME TO PULL TO THE RIGHT IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT POWER. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AS IT WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10149482

Incident

Jan 17, 2006

Mileage

4,900 mi

I OWN A 2004 CADILLAC CTS-V. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES ON THE CAR, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE AN EXTREME WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR-END OF THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE NOISE WAS NORMAL FOR MY VEHICLE. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS CONCERNED ME SO I DID SOME RESEARCH. MY RESEARCH FOUND THAT MANY, MANY CTS-V OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THAT MY PROBLEM WAS IN NO WAY ISOLATED. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT USED IN THE CTS-V IS UNDERRATED AND IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE POWER PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE FROM THE FACTORY. I AM CONCERNED THAT A FAILURE IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10149481

Incident

Dec 27, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE REAR END LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END BEGAN SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE REAR BECAUSE OF NOISE. LESS THAN THREE MILES FROM THE DEALER THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISE AND THE REAR END LOCKED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DID THREE 360 DEGREE TURNS AND FINALLY CAME TO REST IN A TRUCK STOP PARKING LOT. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR END WAS OUT OF LINE FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASED. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED ON 2 OCCASIONS. THIS IS THE THIRD TRIP BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REAR END NOISE. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10113684

Incident

Mar 2, 2005

Mileage

16,000 mi

UNDER POWER THE REAR SUSPENSION RATTLES UP AGAINST THE FLOOR. IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS FALLING APART WHICH PROMPTS YOU TO STAB THE BRAKES UPON HEARING IT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10078863

Incident

Mar 8, 2004

Mileage

600 mi