2017 Cadillac CTS Owner Complaints

The airbag warning light appeared 45 days ago. I immediately took my 2017 Cadillac to the dealer (Sewell Cadillac of Houston). The vehicle is covered under a Sewell Extended warranty until 2028. The dealer performed troubleshooting and determined that the passenger seat sensors/module (part # 84567224 ) was defective. The Inspector for the Sewell Extended warranty confirmed that the replacement was covered by the warranty. The dealer advised after 30 days (completing other services- Brakes/rotors/front tires/spark plugs & wires etc) that the part # was “Back-ordered” and Sewell did not know when the part would be available, if ever. The consequence explained that the passenger seat which contains GM Part # 84567224 should not be used as the airbag may not inflate. Now the dealer wants their “loaner car” back and for me to pick up my “unrepaired Safety defective seat in my car”. Today’s date: December 20, 2025. The car was purchased new 11/2016 from the same Sewell Cadillac dealer. I would expect that General Motors be compelled to supply critical safety related equipment (part # 84567224) for a 8 year old car.

NHTSA ID

11706260

Incident

Nov 6, 2025

The power steering went out on the vehicle. I was not driving at the time. There was a recall on these vehicles pertaining to the EPS module.

NHTSA ID

11701088

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

I purchased this vehicle is certified preowned Cadillac and during the warranty time I had a transmission issue that was causing the transmission to jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and at highway speeds, it would start jerking nonstop. I took it to the dealer and as per a service bulletin, they flushed the transmission fluid and replaced the transmission fluid. This was only a temporary fix because 30,000 miles later the same issues started occurring again and have gotten worse to the point that you can smell the transmission clutches burning and the transmission overheating, possibly causing the number four piston rings to come apart, resulting in an engine replacement as well. I’ve had to replace engine as possible result, but the transmission problem is still there and it has also caused the check engine light to come on intermediately. This could result in a complete transmission failure, causing a vehicle to lose propulsion leading to a possible accident and injuries. This issue needs to be investigated and repairs or replacement made at the manufacturers expense.. This is a four-cylinder turbo engine and an eight speed automatic transmission. In my opinion, the transmission issue caused my engine failure. There should be investigated and an immediate recall issued.

NHTSA ID

11688656

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

The Cadillac CUE screen cracks and becomes unresponsive. When driving this is effecting anything related to system including navigation, radio, hvac, phone and all other functions creating a distraction to the driver that could lead to an accident. This is not the first time that this has happened to me and I’ve noticed that each time the issue is created is during hot days in southern states. This has never happened during the winter. This is my 2nd Cadillac in a row that has had this problem repeatedly. Happens every 2 to 3 years. This might not seem like an issue but it poses a major safety hazard to all people in vehicles around them and an immediate recall and investigation should be taken seriously. A lawsuit was settled for some owners but all owners should be notified and repairs should be completed at the manufacturers expense regardless of age or mileage.

NHTSA ID

11688654

Incident

Jun 16, 2025

OnStar is unable to communicate with my vehicle. When I bought the car 2 years ago, it connected fine. Not OnStar is unable to ping my car. Appears the. Module goes out on a lot of cars since I was told it is on back order and not sure if that was the true peoblem

NHTSA ID

11685188

Incident

Sep 27, 2024

Unknown I have been driving my car for 2 years now. For about the last year the steering in has been handling horrible and I have checked all parts every think is in good condition. I have read online it's a common problem and I see it as a safety concern especially since it's recalled on the same vehicle different vin. So when driving down the highway it's hard to stay centered and the car pulls different directions and the steering gets stiff to where it feels locked up. It is electrical power steering and I have experience from a prior experience with a 2009 pontiac g6. All these parts should of been recalled and not just a handful.

NHTSA ID

11673062

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

I began hearing a “hum” when driving my vehicle and dismissed it thinking it was the type of low profile, no flat tires. After a getting new tires, brakes, brake pads, and control arms, we still heard the “hum” and it continued to get louder. We took the car to 4 different places where they all stated the rear differential is the problem. I never had a service engine light come on. We found out that there was a recall on this part for other Cadillac CTS vehicles but my VIN did not come up as one that has a recall. I have had my rear differential fluid serviced and changed right before 30K miles. I now have a little over 95K miles and am told there is a back order for this part due to how many other Cadillac CTS vehicles are having the same issue. This could make car lock up at any time while driving. I transport my grandchildren and elderly Mother in this vehicle regularly. We have been told that it will take over $6K to fix and since the part is on back order, it will be several months before it can be fixed. This is not only a dangerous and possibly deadly circumstance, but extremely inconvenient and expensive. This part needs to be recalled for all Cadillac CTS vehicles and the parts need to be available as soon as possible.

NHTSA ID

11672975

Incident

Jul 12, 2025

Passenger sensing device for the passenger seat is failing intermittently. Service airbag light is coming on periodically, and, when it does, the passenger "Airbag ON" light fails to illuminate even if a passenger over 100 lbs is in the seat. This is a long recurring issue with all GM cars where the sensing pad goes bad.

NHTSA ID

11648358

Incident

Mar 7, 2025

Power steering went out and exhibited the same symptoms as GM recall N182182760, but my vin is not included in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11646390

Incident

Mar 2, 2025

My dream car…2017 Cadillac CTS 3.6L prem. Lux. I’ve noticed a lot of complaints with very low miles under 30,000 service suspension system, car has new Perelli tires 19” and the driver front tire went flat. What’s going on, I don’t want the dealer to take advantage of me. I can’t understand why this vehicle would be giving me problems so soon purchased from Calstar Mercedes dealer on [XXX] of 2023. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11645851

Incident

Feb 13, 2025

Rear differential failed on a vehicle with 60,000 miles and required a $4,200 repair. The manufacturer warranty covers up to 70,000 miles, but the age of the vehicle voided the warranty. Five Year manufacturer warranty and the vehicle is 7 years old, but within the mileage. Without the repair the vehicle is worthless, whereas it is worth @$14,000 {Kelly Blue Book}. Checked online and it is not uncommon for this model and the newer CT-5/6 models to have this issue.

NHTSA ID

11619823

Incident

Jul 15, 2024

The rear differential has failed in my vehicle, and I was told by the dealer it is a safety hazzard & could lock up, leave me stranded or cause an accident. (this is the same safety issue as thousands of other vehicles most from 2014 & 2015 that IS on a recall).

NHTSA ID

11604960

Incident

Jul 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for maintenance. The contact was advised by the dealer that the differential was leaking and diagnosed the differential and determined that the roll pins and pinion gear were showing unusual wear. The contact had the vehicle repaired. The contact stated that one year later the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was advised that the differential was leaking. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the two failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 105,188.

NHTSA ID

11565178

Incident

Dec 23, 2023

Mileage

105,188 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V086000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11548294

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

Mileage

50,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making a turn, the rear of the vehicle was dragging. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear tires were bowed out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential was leaking and needed to be resealed. The mechanic ordered new seals and pins from the dealer. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11531916

Incident

May 12, 2023

Mileage

65,000 mi

The tire sidewall blew out prematurely. 245 40 r18

NHTSA ID

11476878

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

our 2017 Cadillac CTS-V has all of a sudden a cracked CUE screen. The car is garage kept and only has 14395 miles. It just spontaneously cracked. The dealer that is fixing it is making us pay $125 deductible to get it fixed even though there is a class action law suit currently for others that have this same issue. The whole CUE screen cracks in a spider web like formation and makes the screen very difficult to read.

NHTSA ID

11470804

Incident

Jun 2, 2022

CADILLAC CUE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WORKS MAYBE 25% OF THE TIME. THE OTHER 75% THE SYSTEM IS UNRESPONSIVE AND GLITCHY. I CAN NOT ACCESS SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES. THESE SAME FEATURES ARE THE REASON FOR THE INITIAL PURCHASE. BUT BEING THAT I CAN'T USE THEM WHEN I NEED THEM, I AM NOW REGRETTING THE PURCHASE. THIS IS TOO NICE OF A CAR FOR THE BASIC CONTROLS NOT TO BE WORKING MAJORITY OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11394913

Incident

Feb 6, 2021

Mileage

38,000 mi

THE CADILLAC CUE COMPUTER SCREEN WHICH CONTROLS THE BLUETOOTH, RADIO & GPS, FROZE IN SEPT 2019. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF STATE OUR BLUETOOTH & GPS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS WAS HAPPENING IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, A COMPLETE OFF & ON WITH THE SCREEN GOING BLACK. DEALERSHIP AGAIN & THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AN HOUR DRIVE EACH WAY. I LEFT FRUSTRATED & AND IT WENT OFF AGAIN. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP & IT WAS PLAYING WHEN I GOT THERE. WHILE WE WERE DISCUSSING THE ISSUE, THE RADIO WENT OFF. WE WAITED AND IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT CAME BACK ON. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER VEHICLE AVAILABLE SO I HAD TO COME BACK SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I MADE THE TRIP AGAIN AND LEFT MY CAR WITH THEM. WHEN THE RADIO WORKED FINE AGAIN, ONE OF THE SERVICE GUYS WONDERED IF IT MIGHT BE THE BLUETOOTH RELATED. HE LINKED HIS APPLE IPHONE TO MY CAR'S BLUETOOTH & WAITED. THE RADIO WENT OFF & IN A FEW MINUTES CAME BACK ON. HE HAD FOUND THE PROBLEM. HE CALLED GM CORPORATE & THEY CONTACTED APPLE. APPLE IS AWARE THAT THEIR LATEST UPDATE IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE & ARE WORKING ON AN UPDATE TO FIX IT. THIS REVELATION ANSWERED THE ISSUE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP WAS HAVING WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES IN THEIR SERVICE CENTER THAT HAD A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE CUE. SO FOR NOW I HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HAVING GPS & A RADIO OR HAVING MY IPHONE BLUETOOTHED & HANDS FREE. IT IS NOW DECEMBER 2019 AND APPLE HASN'T CORRECTED THE ISSUE. HOW MANY 'HANDS FREE' VIOLATIONS AND ACCIDENTS WILL THERE BE BEFORE THIS GETS FIXED? I REALIZE THIS IS AN APPLE ISSUE RATHER THAN A GM ISSUE BUT I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 7 MONTHS AGO & THE SAFETY FEATURES, INCLUDING GPS & BLUETOOTH PLAYED A BIG PART IN MY DECISION. I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO USE ALL OF FEATURES OF THE CUE SYSTEM. I'M WRITING THIS IN THE HOPE THAT GM WILL PROGRESSIVELY WORK WITH APPLE TO GET THIS RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID

11290335

Incident

Sep 21, 2019

Mileage

12,000 mi

THE CAR HAS 37250 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO WALDORF CADILLAC/GM IN WALDORF, MD. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WOULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS: FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, RE-PROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE VALVE, AND ULTIMATELY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY HAVE DONE ALL THE ACTIONS EXCEPT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND WON'T TAKE FURTHER ACTION. THE CAR SHIFTS SO VIOLENTLY AT TIMES THAT YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. WE LIVE IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA, SO TRAFFIC IS USUALLY STOP-AND-GO. WHEN THE CAR GETS TO THE TOP END OF 1ST GEAR (AROUND 9 MPH) IT HESITATES, THEN SLAMS INTO SECOND GEAR. IT HAS ALSO GOTTEN "STUCK" IN FIRST GEAR, WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT SO I HAD TO PULL OFF IMMEDIATELY OR RISK BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT HAS ONLY DONE THIS ONCE SINCE WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

11288587

Incident

Dec 12, 2019

Mileage

37,247 mi

WHILE THE TOUCHTONE SCREEN HAS FAILED TWICE AND CADILLAC HAS REPLACED IT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT IS THE FACT THAT THE CAR WAS ORDERED WITH THE CARBON FIBER WHEEL PACKAGE AND THOSE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED/ CANT HOLD AIR PRESSURE THE DEALER HAS REPLACED ONE BUT SAID THEY CANNOT REPLACE THE SET OF 4- MY DAUGHTER HAS HAD 4 ISSUES OF TIRES GOING FLAT WHILE DRIVING- FORTUNATELY SHE HAS NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET BUT THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT CADILLAC DOESNT WANT TO RESOLVE IS THERE A RECALL OR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARBON FIBER RIMS? MY DAUGHTER NO LONGER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE AND DOES NOT WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WH SHE OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS HURT - PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID

11287832

Incident

Dec 8, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE RPM' S INCREASED, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HE TURNED OF THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO MORE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF TROY (1810 MAPLELAWN DR. TROY, MI) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, A YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING THE CURB BUMPER, CRASHING THROUGH A FENCE, AND COLLIDING WITH A WALL. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AS THE SPEED WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER, RIGHT FRONT FENDER, AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND DAMAGE EXCEEDED $20,000. 11 WEEKS TO REPAIR. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID

11246443

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi

CAR HAS LOCKED IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH AFTER LONG DRIVES (2+ HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST TO STOP MOVEMENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS A STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THE SECOND TIME WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALMOST HIT THE HOUSE. GOOD BRAKES ARE THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME. BOTH TIMES, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO 1ST WITH A LOUD BANG. TRANSMISSION ALSO JERKS THE CAR FORWARD FROM THE STOPPED POSITION WHEN ENGINE STARTS AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT (WHEN AUTO-START./STOP IS ENABLED).

NHTSA ID

11222338

Incident

Apr 26, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V086000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. FITZGERALD CHEVROLET (114 BAUGHMANS LANE, FREDERICK, MD 21702) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11193584

Incident

Mar 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2017 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V086000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED KING O'ROURKE BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 756 SMITHTOWN BYPASS #102, SMITHTOWN, NY 11787, (631) 982-4447) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95151697980. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,100. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11193396

Incident

Mar 27, 2019

Mileage

17,100 mi