What is the 2008-2009 Cadillac CTS Heated Washer Fluid System Fire Hazard (Recall 10V240000)?

The 2008 and 2009 Cadillac CTS is included in NHTSA recall 10V240000 when it was built with the heated washer fluid system (HWFS). The defect is an electrical short in the heated washer module's printed circuit board. GM ran a 2008 recall that added a fuse to the control circuit… Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS Electric Power-Steering Assist May Fail (Recall 25V175)?

On certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS vehicles, electric power-steering assist may fail and require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds. Severity: high.

What is the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS Rear-Axle Pinion Seal Can Leak and Allow Differential Failure (Recall 07V589)?

On certain 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles, a rear-axle pinion seal may leak fluid. Continued fluid loss can lead to rear-differential failure, loss of motive power or loss of control. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS Ignition Key Can Move Out of Run and Disable Airbags (Recall 14V394)?

On certain 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles, key-ring weight, road conditions or another jarring event can move the ignition switch out of Run, turn off the engine and prevent airbag deployment in a crash. Severity: high.

What is the 2015 Cadillac CTS Brake-Pedal Pushrod Bracket May Fracture (Recall 15V358)?

On certain 2015 Cadillac CTS vehicles, the bracket between the brake-pedal assembly and the brake-actuating rod may fracture during normal pedal operation, preventing the driver from applying the brakes. Severity: high.

What is the 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS Chassis Electronic Module Can Short and Stall the Engine (Recall 14V614)?

On certain 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles, internal contamination in the chassis electronic module can cause an electrical short and stall the engine. Severity: high.

What is the 2007-2011 Cadillac CTS 3.6L LLT Direct-Injection Timing Chain Stretch Sets Cam-Correlation Codes?

The 3.6L LLT direct-injection V6 used in the 2008-2011 CTS (and the 2007 gen-1 3.6L LY7) is among the best-documented GM V6 failures: the primary and secondary timing chains elongate well before 100,000 miles, throwing off intake/exhaust cam correlation. Chain wear is strongly ac… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS CUE Touchscreen Delaminates and Becomes Unresponsive or 'Ghost Touches'?

The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) capacitive touchscreen fitted to CTS models from 2013 onward suffers separation of the bonded layers behind the glass. The screen develops a spiderweb of hairline cracks radiating from the edges, then stops responding to touch or begins register… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2014 Cadillac CTS Electronic Door-Handle Micro-Switch Fails and the Door Will Not Open from Outside?

The front doors of the 2008-2014 CTS do not use a mechanical cable to the latch. Pulling the outside handle closes an electronic micro-switch in the handle base, which commands the latch actuator to release. When the micro-switch or its connector corrodes or wears out, the doors… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2015 Cadillac CTS HID Headlamp Ballast Corrodes from Water Intrusion and the Light Goes Out?

CTS models fitted with high-intensity discharge headlamps use a separate ballast/igniter module mounted low in the headlamp housing. The housing takes on water - through a failed seal, a cracked lens or a missing bulb cap - and the water pools directly on the ballast, corroding i… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves of the 2.0L LTG Turbo (Direct Injection)?

The 2.0L LTG turbocharged four in the third-generation CTS is direct-injected, so no fuel ever washes across the back of the intake valves. Oil vapor drawn in through the PCV system bakes onto the valve stems and seats and builds a hard carbon crust that chokes airflow. The resul… Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS 8L45 / 8L90 Eight-Speed Torque Converter Clutch Shudder at Cruise?

Third-generation CTS models with the 8L45 (2.0T and some 3.6L) or 8L90 eight-speed automatic develop a pronounced shudder or vibration at steady cruising speeds, typically between 25 and 80 mph, when the torque converter clutch is partially applied. GM determined the root cause w… Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2004-2014 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6 Water Pump Seal Leaks Intermittently and Only Under Pressure?

The engine-driven water pump on the 3.6L V6 (LY7, LLT and LFX) develops a weep at the shaft seal. What makes this failure hard to catch is that many CTS pumps leak only when the system is hot and fully pressurized; the orange-pink DEX-COOL evaporates off the hot block and leaves… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2004-2012 Cadillac CTS 3.6L V6 Oil Consumption Driven by a Restrictive PCV Orifice in the Valve Cover?

The 3.6L V6 pulls crankcase vapor through a fixed-orifice PCV passage integrated into the valve cover rather than a serviceable PCV valve. The orifice sludges up and the baffle behind it does a poor job of separating oil from the vapor stream, so liquid oil is drawn into the inta… Repairs typically run $250-$800. Severity: medium.

Cadillac · Known Issues

2003-2019 Cadillac CTS Problems: 14 Known Issues

2003-2019 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003-2019 Cadillac CTS has 14 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are Heated Washer Fluid System Fire Hazard (Recall 10V240000), Electric Power-Steering Assist May Fail (Recall 25V175), Rear-Axle Pinion Seal Can Leak and Allow Differential Failure (Recall 07V589), Ignition Key Can Move Out of Run and Disable Airbags (Recall 14V394), Brake-Pedal Pushrod Bracket May Fracture (Recall 15V358), Chassis Electronic Module Can Short and Stall the Engine (Recall 14V614) and 3.6L LLT Direct-Injection Timing Chain Stretch Sets Cam-Correlation Codes ($1,800-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Cadillac CTS problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003-2019 Cadillac CTS has 14 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Heated Washer Fluid System Fire Hazard (Recall 10V240000), Electric Power-Steering Assist May Fail (Recall 25V175), Rear-Axle Pinion Seal Can Leak and Allow Differential Failure (Recall 07V589). Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2003-2019 Cadillac CTS has 14 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 7 issues are rated critical: Heated Washer Fluid System Fire Hazard (Recall 10V240000) and Electric Power-Steering Assist May Fail (Recall 25V175) and Rear-Axle Pinion Seal Can Leak and Allow Differential Failure (Recall 07V589) and Ignition Key Can Move Out of Run and Disable Airbags (Recall 14V394) and Brake-Pedal Pushrod Bracket May Fracture (Recall 15V358) and Chassis Electronic Module Can Short and Stall the Engine (Recall 14V614) and 3.6L LLT Direct-Injection Timing Chain Stretch Sets Cam-Correlation Codes. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Cadillac CTS problems?

Repair costs for known Cadillac CTS issues range from $150 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Cadillac CTS is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Cadillac CTS. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2003-2019 Cadillac CTS with 14 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 14 Known Issues

Other Cadillac Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Cadillac CTS problems?

Is the Cadillac CTS reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Cadillac CTS problems?

What year Cadillac CTS is the most reliable?

Heated Washer Fluid System Fire Hazard (Recall 10V240000)#

Ignition Key Can Move Out of Run and Disable Airbags (Recall 14V394)#

Chassis Electronic Module Can Short and Stall the Engine (Recall 14V614)#

Electronic Door-Handle Micro-Switch Fails and the Door Will Not Open from Outside#

HID Headlamp Ballast Corrodes from Water Intrusion and the Light Goes Out#

3.6L LLT Direct-Injection Timing Chain Stretch Sets Cam-Correlation Codes#

Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves of the 2.0L LTG Turbo (Direct Injection)#

3.6L V6 Oil Consumption Driven by a Restrictive PCV Orifice in the Valve Cover#

Electric Power-Steering Assist May Fail (Recall 25V175)#

Rear-Axle Pinion Seal Can Leak and Allow Differential Failure (Recall 07V589)#

Brake-Pedal Pushrod Bracket May Fracture (Recall 15V358)#

CUE Touchscreen Delaminates and Becomes Unresponsive or 'Ghost Touches'#

8L45 / 8L90 Eight-Speed Torque Converter Clutch Shudder at Cruise#

3.6L V6 Water Pump Seal Leaks Intermittently and Only Under Pressure#