2017 Cadillac CTS Powertrain & Transmission Problems

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).