RoadVitals

2015 Cadillac CTS Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 25, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 46 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 Cadillac CTS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Jul 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced, and the rear differential was leaking. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The water pump was replaced under the warranty. The contact stated that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced every two months. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11676097
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to stop, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal became very difficult to depress. The failure almost caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the “Brake Assist" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vacuum pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA ID
11497542
Incident
Dec 4, 2022
Mileage
74,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 26, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Brakes , emergency brake , engine overheating , How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car shut off in the highway while i was with my kids Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes it went in the shop 05/12/22 but problem with car still continued Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes i dont know how it passed due to emergency brake and engine & brakes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? yes first engie light came on then car shut off

NHTSA ID
11475966
Incident
May 12, 2022
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2022

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 ID
11473795
Incident
Jul 2, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL EXPERIENCED A GRINDING AND RUBBING SOUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITAL CADILLAC (2210 COBB PKWY SE, SMYRNA, GA 30080, (770) 884-7397) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ID
11341891
Incident
Mar 4, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 14, 2019

WHEN IM GOING FORWARD OR REVERSING THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLAMS ON PARK BRAKE

NHTSA ID
11243984
Incident
Aug 13, 2019
Mileage
10,700 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 11, 2018
Crash reported

I HAD ADAPTIVE CRUISE ON, WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SO ADAPTIVE STOPPED, THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME MOVED BECAUSE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SO TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE I GENTLY GAVE IT GAS AND I FELT THE CRUISE KICK SO I MOVED MY FOOT AND THEN THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT, THE CRASH WARNING DID NOT FLASH NOR DID THE BRAKING ASSIST ENGAGE. LUCKILY THE GUY I HIT WAS NOT AFFECTED THE HITCH PREVENTED DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK BUT MY CAR TOOK ALL THE DAMAGE. I WAS SO SHOOK THAT BEFORE I COULD APPLY BRAKES MY CAR STILL WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT HAD HIT THE HITCH. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY JUST AS IT WAS MERGING TO A STREET. I CONTACTED CADILLAC/GM AND SENT THEM PICTURES AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID I HAD NO CASE, THEY DID NOT EVEN SEND ME TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SYSTEM BY A PROFESSIONAL.

NHTSA ID
11139619
Incident
Sep 26, 2018
Mileage
42,200 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 10, 2018
Crash reported

WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.

NHTSA ID
11072069
Incident
Feb 10, 2018
Mileage
31,674 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .