2015 Cadillac CTS Powertrain (other) Problems

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 ID

11673962

Incident

Jul 14, 2025

Mileage

98,000 mi

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 ID

11618015

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

Mileage

125,000 mi

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 ID

11615828

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

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 ID

11591158

Incident

Mar 30, 2024

Mileage

157,000 mi

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 ID

11507056

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

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 ID

11489605

Incident

Oct 7, 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

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 ID

11470538

Incident

May 24, 2022

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 ID

11466937

Incident

May 24, 2022

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 ID

11453376

Incident

Aug 15, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

The rear differential started making a loud whining noise around 53,000 miles. It then turned into a grinding noise. I had it checked by a mechanic and he confirmed it was rear differential that needed replacing. He recommended not driving the vehicle since the differential could completely fail and cause an accident. Not having any mechanical experience, the noise was the only indication of a problem. No warning lights or sensor faults.

NHTSA ID

11431355

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

THERE WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID HAS METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND HE SAID THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS AT (800) 222-1020 AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GAVE ME FILE NUMBER 9-6712786810. IT IS AT IG BURTON, MILFORD, DE, NOW FOR DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ID

11416228

Incident

May 10, 2021

Mileage

78,000 mi

I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE REAL AXLES BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH. NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL AND I WANT ANSWERS, AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME LAST NIGHT. THIS OCCURRED IN BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN ON M66 SOUTH

NHTSA ID

11372526

Incident

Oct 31, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS THE SUBJECT OF A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN JAN. THE DEALER ORDERED REPAIR PARTS ON MAY 11. NO ANSWER FROM CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT PARTS AVAILABILITY. WHAT IS CONSIDERED "REASONABLE TIME" WHEN ADDRESSING A SAFETY RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID

11330831

Incident

Jan 30, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V038000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARKLEY BUICK GMC CADILLAC, INC, (3575 SKYLAND BLVD E, TUSCALOOSA, AL 35405), WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11326204

Incident

May 7, 2020

ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK, WHILE DRIVING. JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. 30,000 MILES ON ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID

11322127

Incident

Apr 18, 2020

ON AUGUST 5, 2019, I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD @ 35-40 MPH AND WITH A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. I WENT INTO A SKID AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR SWERVED BACK AND FORTH ACROSS BOTH LANES. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER ON THE ROAD AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND STEERED INTO THE SKID AS THE FRONT OF THE CAR SWERVED BACK AND FORTH. FORTUNATELY, AN ONCOMING DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP HIS CAR IN TIME TO AVOID A HEAD-ON WHEN HE SAW ME SWERVE INTO HIS LANE. I CALLED THE DEALER, WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND CONFIRMED THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD--ALL KINDS OF METAL CHUNKS CAME OUT WITH THE OIL WHEN THEY DRAINED IT. HE TOLD ME THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD PRETTY MUCH SELF-DESTRUCTED. THE CAR WAS WITHIN ITS POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, SO THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL. ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER, THE DEALER HASN'T LOCATED A REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIAL. THIS CAR IS A CADILLAC V-SPORT, A PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED MODEL WITH AN ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. DURING THE YEARS THIS MODEL WAS IN PRODUCTION, GENERAL MOTORS MADE LESS THAN 1,000 PER YEAR, AND I BELIEVE THAT PERHAPS THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS A SPECIAL TYPE FOR THE V-SPORT, ALTHOUGH I AM NOT SURE. I DO KNOW OF OTHERS HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM--THEY HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM ON A CADILLAC V-SPORT USER'S GROUP FOUND AT CADILLACFORUMS.COM. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE SKID MARKS MADE BY THE REAR WHEELS AND WHERE THE FRONT OF THE CAR ENDED UP. THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS MINE, WHERE SOME PASSERSBY PUSHED THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11258171

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

Mileage

67,000 mi

WHEN IDLING OR WHEN YOU COLD START THE CAR IT TENDS TO HAVE A SLIGHT SHAKE/TREMBLE FEEL ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR EVEN PASSENGERS FELT IT ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY AND YOU HIT 15 MPH CAR TENDS TO SHIFT HARD INTO 2ND GEAR

NHTSA ID

11246257

Incident

Aug 23, 2019

Mileage

38,000 mi

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.

NHTSA ID

10944214

Incident

Jan 7, 2017

Mileage

15,100 mi