2010 Cadillac CTS Owner Complaints

All of a sudden when I started my car, the lights flickered constantly, the power steering failed, and it blew my starter and fairly new battery. I was so scared; I thought it was going to catch on fire because it smelled burnt. And I was on [XXX] in Hubbard Ohio, and I was trying to get to [XXX] and safety to which I did. THANK Goodness for AAA. I was told this happened because of a plug in wiring to heat or warm the washer fluid. It is available for inspection. My safety was impacted because, I had no power steering, flickering lights and smell of burnt stuff. My problem was fixed by an independent shop. My vehicle was not inspected by a GM dealer or my insurance. Was inspected by an independent shop that it was towed to. Warnings prior to incident: I would turn the ignition and nothing. But that would only happen several weeks apart. I thought maybe the starter was going, but it was odd because it was so many weeks far apart that it would happen. It might have been a total of 4 times since October of 2024. During the incident, power steering warning came on, charging system came on and the car sounded like it was barely running. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11649524

Incident

Mar 8, 2025

Airbag warning light and Service Air Bag on dash. Code B0087-00 Left Rear SIS. Replaced sensor, still getting warning. Sensor is in LR door. Research revealed possible known issue with bending fatigue from routine door open/close motion and subpar wire size/material causing wire failure. Opened wire harness at pillar and green/black wire was completely separated at typical bending point. Light blue wire was not visibly broken (insulation still intact) but the wire within was broken upon removal of insulation. These are the two wires (light blue and green/black) to the impact sensor. Please investigate GM use of substandard or undersize wiring in entire SRS system especially at bending fatigue potential failure points. Three pictures attached - one picture showing initial finding of green/black broken wire but light blue still visibly intact (insulation only), one picture showing same in close up, one picture showing both wires are not intact (light blue wire was inspected further and determined insulation intact but wire within was not intact) and insulated separated with fingernail pressure only. Wires should not fail within typical lifetime of a vehicle. Uncertain on operation of system, but could short between two wires and/or grounding cause airbag to deploy without accident/at random causing personal injury to occupants and/or an accident because of random deployment? Date of incident is when wiring issue was discovered and pictures taken upon discovery.

NHTSA ID

11617299

Incident

Sep 29, 2024

I took my car 1200 Moss St., bingo alignment, and two weeks after my alignment my steering wheel shipped and I bought it over to the shop and told them that they did not talk to the school down on my control arms and the lady told me to get off of her premises and get out and I think that’s not right she did not on her warranty and I called the police to get an incident report and she just was belligerent and pull guns on me and do all kind of crazy stuff. I would like to have someone investigate her please

NHTSA ID

11574212

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

Engine warning light on. Diagnosed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado as Po008 code Bank one engine timing off. Further diagnosed as faulty engine cam chain. Advised not to drive car. Car available for inspection. Not being driven. Safety put at risk by possible major engine failure during use. Problem confirmed by two other repair facilities. Engine warning light on for several months. Problem confirmed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado. Taken there at the request of Cadillac customer service phone 800 333 4223. Contact at Cadillac customer service Miguel ext 591 6218. Given case #[XXX] Vehicle inspected by Mike Maroon Cadillac at the request of Miguel at Cadillac customer service. Inspection done at owners expense. Cadillac customer service not returning calls. Owners contact # [XXX] Mike Maroon Cadillac contact, Dave 303 442 3160 R/o #[XXX] Do not have capability to upload files. Will fax upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11556296

Incident

Jun 10, 2023

Passenger presence module malfunction is intermittent. When the malfunction occurs there is a warning light plus "Service Airbag" on the instrument panel. Sometimes the light and warning go off after several minutes, sometimes stays on for days. In Virginia presence of this warning during an annual safety inspection is considered a failure. The vehicle in question is a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V with heated/cooled Recaro seats. Dealership has confirmed that the issue is the module but says the module is not available or on backorder (for years). Issue was first reported to dealer in 2018 and again in 2022 with no resolution. Estimated repair cost is in excess of $1500.

NHTSA ID

11556098

Incident

Nov 21, 2018

Every time it rains, the inside of my vehicle floods through the ceiling and floors. This is a manufacture defect that is outside of my control. This is a safety issue because it causes mold and mildew in the vehicle which is a hazard to inhale. I'm also concerned that the possibility exist for an electrical hazard.

NHTSA ID

11527117

Incident

Jun 14, 2013

Diag: DIAGNOSIS c/s service air bag error message on display. Code DTC B0014- Driver side air bag deployment loop- high resistance. Could not get repaired. Per Dealership the part needed is "discontinued". Non- working airbags are a huge concern. I think that parts for airbags should have to be produced if a vehicle needs serviced for such a problem! The vehicle is in excellent condition overall and should last many more years but this very much needed part for safety isn't even available! That is not right!!! No accident or incident has occurred but this issue is very much a concern.

NHTSA ID

11526176

Incident

Jun 8, 2023

A black bolt in my steering column fell out onto my floormat and a second bolt was very loose, getting ready to fall out. The steering column just needs to be adjusted - recalibrated. No parts needed, very little time. Foundation Cadillac, Denver Colorado is charging me for diagnostics for bolts. Having my steering column fall would have been a huge safety issue. I need some help getting Foundation to adjust the steering column at no cost to me. My Cadillac is Out of Warranty.

NHTSA ID

11519276

Incident

Mar 30, 2023

Timing chain broke at 66,900 miles causing motor failure.

NHTSA ID

11519257

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. Additionally, the RPM and power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11506474

Incident

Oct 30, 2022

Mileage

123,000 mi

There needs to be a better system on alerting used car buyers. When I purchased my car from Carvana used in 2017 at 83k-ish miles, I had no idea that there was an extended 10 yr/120k warranty on some models of GM vehicles. I have been experiencing issues with my car and just learning 1 yr and 30k miles too late that there were known issues, and that my issues most likely were related to the timing chain. Timing chains aren't generally something that wear out by 100k - had I been made aware of that when I purchased the car, then that would have been the first course of action. I checked the VIN, no recalls, but no extended warranty alerts either. Anyone else having issues would not have known other year models were experiencing problems that could have affected different year models as well. I have researched my cars issues and I have taken it to mechanics- even to a Chevrolet dealer when I first bought it. Absolutely no mention of this, until I just happened to stumble on a Cadillac forum post from 2019 at 1 am 6/2/2021. Now I am the almost owner of a car that books out at maybe $5k with over $2k worth of work that is needed. It sits while I make payments. With all the technology, there should be some way for car dealerships to have to give a new owner any updated information regarding any vehicle related to the one they are purchasing.

NHTSA ID

11419294

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL GET OUT OF GEAR WHEN I'M AT A STOP. IT WILL ACT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THERE ARE NO CODES THAT TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLUTCH GOES BAD. I ONLY HAVE 88K MILES ON MY CAR AND SO MANY PEOPLE SEAM TO HAVE THE EXACT SE PROBLEM AS I AM.

NHTSA ID

11343749

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

88,123 mi

IN JANUARY CHEVROLET BURIEN DID SERVICING ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AFTER 3 WEEKS OF THEM HAVING IT; THEY GAVE IT TO ME WITH A FLAT TIRE WITH SEVERAL STUDS IN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THERE WAS AN INCH OF WATER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I REQUESTED MANAGEMENT AND THEY DENIED ME AND FORCED ME TO MOVE MY VEHICLE OFF THE PROPERTY IN FEAR OF MY LIFE. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE ARE NO LONGER USABLE. THERE WAS MOLD ALL OVER THE INSIDE THAT SERIOUSLY EFFECTED MY ASTHMA. THEIR MANAGEMENT STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ABOUT REMEDYING THIS ISSUE. THEY ALSO DAMAGED MY GLOVE BOX SO THAT THE WATER THAT THEY LET LEAK INTO MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T 'BUILD UP' AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE SO THEY WERE COMPLETELY AWARE THAT THEY WERE LETTING MY CAR FLOOD WHILE STORING IT.

NHTSA ID

11316727

Incident

Jan 27, 2020

FRONT AIR BAGS LIGHT COME ON A FRON IMPACT SENSOR FSIL

NHTSA ID

11308357

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

2010 CADILLAC CTS4 PREMIUM 3.6 WAGON I REPLACED THE REAR PROP SHAFT OF THE AWD SYSTEM IN JANUARY 2018. I NOW AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR PROP SHAFT YET AGAIN, NOT 2 YEARS LATER. I BELIEVE THE DRIVESHAFT CARRIER BEARING IS FAILING AGAIN (SAME AS BEFORE)! WITH APPROXIMATELY 49K MILES ON IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THIS SAME ITEM AGAIN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE, I NOW BELIEVE GM HAS NO CLUE TO MAKE A RELIABLE AWD VEHICLE. WORST CAR EVER.

NHTSA ID

11269543

Incident

Oct 18, 2019

Mileage

128,550 mi

THIS RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY CALAREMI CADILLAC, BUDD LAKE, NJ. THE CAR IS THERE RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ID

11266938

Incident

Oct 4, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ON DASH AND RED AIR BAG SYMBOL IS SHOWING ON THE DASH BOARD

NHTSA ID

11242437

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY WAGON HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR DUE TO POOR DESIGN. SPOKE WITH CADILLAC & GM, BOTH REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT'S A DESIGN FLAW ON THE WAGON MODELS. BOTH STATED CAR OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE/YEAR. ASKED IF THEY COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS USED TO ATTACH LAMPS TO VEHICLE, NEITHER HAS A CLUE. DEALER WANTS $2100 TO REPLACE, BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE JANUARY 2019, CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR CAR NOT STARTING ON 1ST TRY. FIRST TIME, NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TIGHTENED, 2ND TIME REPLACED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, 3RD TIME DEALER HAS NO IDEA AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH COME ON, ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER WHILE PARKED. IT WILL START ON THE 2ND TRY, SOMETIMES IT HESITATES. DEALER TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR UNTIL VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11208871

Incident

Jan 18, 2019

Mileage

110,100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE WILLEY AUTOMOTIVE (2840 IOWA ST, LAWRENCE, KS 66046, (785) 727-1124) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. SAFETY CONCERN WITH AIRBAG CONCERN WITH AIRBAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.*JB

NHTSA ID

11205053

Incident

Apr 15, 2018

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN AT A SLOW SPEED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARCIA CADILLAC (6401 SAN MATEO BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, (505) 837-5200), BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE AT A VERY LOW SPEED BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A FAULTY RELAY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11151294

Incident

Dec 15, 2017

Mileage

29,000 mi

MY CAR ALARM KEEPS BEEPING FOR NO REASON WHEN PARKED. AS SOON AS I START THE CAR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON. THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT SAYS THAT MY TIRE IS FLAT; SO, I CHANGED ALL FOUR TIRES, AND IT'S STILL GIVING DRASTICALLY INACCURATE READINGS OFTEN. SOMETIMES IT SAYS THAT MY TIRE IS FLAT-- 0 PRESSURE, AND SOMETIMES, IT SAYS THAT IT HAS LOW PRESSURE. MY PROGRAMMED RADIO STATIONS KEEP DELETING FROM MEMORY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON, AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ID

11132188

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOLIDAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC (543 2ND ST, WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11123858

Incident

Apr 15, 2018

Mileage

89,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. MY PSGR AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING PSGR AIRBAG OFF. I SAW WHERE CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WILL MY VEHICLE GET IN THE RECALL OR WILL THERE BE FUTURE RECALLS

NHTSA ID

11122140

Incident

Aug 23, 2018

WHEN DRIVING IN MY NORMAL SEATED POSITION I FIND THAT TRANSITIONING FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT THE LEAST TO ALMOST DANGEROUS.THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RIGHT FOOT ALMOST ALWAYS GETS CAUGHT BEHIND THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.IT WOULD APPEAR TO ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL. HAS THIS ISSUE EVER COME UP BEFORE? I'VE TALKED TO OTHERS WHO HAVE DRIVEN THESE MODELS AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED.IF THE RIGHT FOOT IS PLACED MORE TO THE RIGHT (MORE IN LINE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL|) IT IS NOT A PROBLEM.BUT ISN'T A NORMAL POSITION FOR ME AS I WOULD ASSUME FOR OTHER DRIVERS.I'M SURE THAT SHOE SIZE OR STYLE WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BUT IN A CONFINED ARE LIKE THESE CARS HAVE (THE CONSOLE SEEMS WIDER TO ALLOW FOR THE TRANSMISSION POSITION) THAT AN ALLOWANCE FOR MORE ROOM BETWEEN PEDALS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE. DAVE

NHTSA ID

11114260

Incident

Jul 28, 2018

TAKATA RECALL - AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE. CADILLAC SAYS $900 TO REPLACE, PLUS LABOR. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I CAN'T AFFORD REPLACEMENT. CAN'T SELL THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT'S FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11097294

Incident

Aug 10, 2017