Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

Cadillac CTS-V Engine problems by year

15 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac CTS-V's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20164000
20154000
20147000

Latest CTS-V engine complaints

2015 Cadillac CTS-VBrakesEngine & cooling

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...

Read the full complaint

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

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11475966
2015 Cadillac CTS-VTransmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11473795
2015 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & cooling

2015 Cadillac cts. Consumer stated that the exhaust was damaged while having a safety recall n192279370 repaired.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11465390
2014 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & coolingDriver assistance

Burning smell, traction control, rear axle service along with suspension lights all came on the odometer. Shakes at low idle and wont stay running. Happened this weekend after pulling into the driveway after driving. We scanned code for cylinder 4 misfire. On scanner we had multiple other cylinder misfires but cylinder 4 is a dead misfire. We removed spark plug and found wore. We initially thought to start with replacing spark plugs and cylinder 4 coil. We consulted with customer and agreed to replace all spark...

Read the full complaint

plugs and cylinder 4 coil. After replacing we found no change in cylinder 4 misfire. We removed and re installed original coil and re tested. We performed a compression test on cylinder 4 and have 0 PSI. We thought possible carboned valve stuck open due to direct injection system. We performed a GDI carbon clean but still no change. We installed a borescope into cylinder to inspect and found what looks like a broken piston or part of a valv We scanned code for cylinder 4 misfire. On scanner we had multiple other cylinder misfires but cylinder 4 is a dead misfire. Weremoved spark plug and found worn. We initially thought to start with replacing spark plugs and cylinder 4 coil. We replace all spark plugs and cylinder 4 coil. After replacing we found no change in cylinder 4 misfire. We removed and re installed original coil and re tested. We performed a compression test on cylinder 4 and have 0 PSI. We thought possible carboned valve stuck open due to direct injection system. We performed a GDI carbon clean but still no change. We installed a borescope into cylinder to inspect and found what looks like a broken piston or part of a valve broken and smashed into the piston. Fault is internal engine, would need to tear down and re build or replace engine assembly. My safety was at risk driving 80mph on the highway perhaps engine could have seized or caused problems I'm not able to deal with along with having my infant and toddler in the car.

Filed Incident Engine · Back over prevention · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11460205
2014 Cadillac CTS-VTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

On 8/24/2021 approx 9:45am I returned home from the market as I was parking my vehicle (backing into a parking space) ishift my vehicle control to the rear position and it lock up it was stuck and would not release I was shocked and upset because the front of my vehicle was still in the way of passing vehicle so I tuned my front wheels in as much as I could but that was all I could do I had to keep my foot on the breaks so that my vehicle would not roll back and slam into the truck behind me , I call the...

Read the full complaint

dealership fc kerbeck 100 route 73 north palmyra n.J I told them what happened and that I was upset and did not know what to do I still had my foot on the breaks because I did'nt know if it was safe to turn off my vehicle or what after I was disconnected I called back and I was informed on how to safley shut down my vehicle . My vehicle had to be towed to the dealership I found a recall on the issue from general motors june 2014 saying that the driver may not be able to shift the transmission in and out of gear due to the shift cable not begin secured and that it could slip out of the brackets and the driver will not be able to stop the vehicle from rolling resulting in a ccident when I mention this to the dealership they claim that they never had any recalls on thid saftey issue I purchase my vehicle in 2017 so they were well aware that this could be a saftey issue some where down the line but they failed to make sure that the consumer was aware of this issue that they could have better control if something like this should happen I was so up set and shock that this had happen my gears were lock down I could not at that time move my vehicle. My is this information not made available to the consumer when they buy these cars then a few years later when it does ealership blows you off and act as if you are crazy this is a saftey issue that could cause your life.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11430553
2016 Cadillac CTS-VSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

While accelerating from a stop, my vehicle loses all power temporarily. Throttle modulation does not increase rpm. At times the vehicle will jerk forward and back as if power is being put down then stopped abruptly. One time I had this happen, my lights, gauges, power steering, and engine power all went away. It fixed itself after about 15 minutes of trying to figure out what was happening. Very dangerous and scary experience when this happens on the road.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11385311
2014 Cadillac CTS-VTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the alternator, fuel pump, battery and found that the timing chain had failed. The timing chain was not replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,400.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11352935
2014 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Roadside assistance was contacted and the vehicle was jump started. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11330386
2014 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structure

Rear differential at risk of failure. I contacted cadillac customer service and they did not see the recall in their system and advised me to contact nhtsa. They said that the nhtsa did not show a recall for that vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle had numerous safety defect repairs. The consumer requested that the vehicle be bought back. *Js

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11320505
2014 Cadillac CTS-VTransmission & drivetrainSeats & seat beltsEngine & cooling

Vehicle displays 'service rear axle' 'service stabilitrak' 'park assist temporarily unavailable' 'automatic seatbelt tightening unavailable'. 4 Separate and unique occurrences. Some have also included 'reduced engine power'. Typically the messages come on and reduced power occurs after expressway driving, followed by stop and go city driving or traffic. Also ambient temps are over 80 degrees with each occurrence. Lastly engine bay is extremely hot after the service messages are displayed. Engine temperature gauge...

Read the full complaint

does not indicate overheating (displays under the halfway point of the gauge). I have 2 separate video documentations that can be uploaded to youtube. 1St occurrence resulted in cylinder head replacement under warranty. The next 3 occurrences have all happened after the warranty service. Dealership has been unable to replicate the issue after the car cools down. Cadillac customer service said a second dealership review was required even though the car was brought to the dealer with the above service messages present. Attached documents display first warranty service, and second record service messages being present. Similar tsb issued for the ats-v lf4 engine for 'service rear axle' or 'rear axle off', also the lt4 engine has a tsb for engine overheating and going into reduced power mode when the charge air cooling system is not refilled properly via vac-n-fill method. This vehicle has a similar liquid to air, charge air cooling system, requiring the same type of fill method. Full disclosure I am a general motors employee.

Filed Incident Power train · Seat belts · EngineNHTSA 11256546
2016 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac cts. The contact stated that he was an authorized technician at latin motors (3175 nw 37th st, miami, fl 33142). The contact diagnosed that the vehicle was losing freon, which caused the air conditioner not to function. As a result, the air conditioner condenser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned due to the vehicle being used in a hot climate state. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the nhtsa hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 13,857.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11014256
2016 Cadillac CTS-VTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac cts. While driving at a low rate of speed or stopping, the vehicle made a clanking sound and jerked with a loud noise. While shifting gears automatically, a loud wind noise could be heard through the door jams of the front driver and passenger side doors. Also, the instrument panel lights would fade in and out without warning, the outside temperature display was incorrect, and a tapping noise could be heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to rydell chevrolet buick...

Read the full complaint

gmc cadillac of grand forks (located at 2700 s washington st., Grand forks, nd 58201 (701) 772-7211), but the failures could not be duplicated. The front driver and passenger doors have been repaired several times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issues and referred the contact to nhtsa. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10992913
2016 Cadillac CTS-VEngine & cooling

The auto stop/start cannot be safe. I almost got t-boned in my first several hundred miles in a new car with this feature. I was at a complete stop and needed to make a left across traffic. I did not realize the delay would be that great and almost got t-boned turning across traffic. The engine hesitates when you're stopped and moving from the brake to the gas. This fraction of a second has to make a difference...The only thing has to be whether it is significant. When turning left across traffic (t-bone) or...

Read the full complaint

turning right into traffic (rear end), a fraction of a second is huge. Even if the driver gets used to this over time, friends and family that drive the car too will likely not be accustomed to this delay. Would like to see comparison of t-bone victims and rear end victims of accidents of people with auto stop/start vs drivers who don't have it. Car also lurches when starting up and putting it into gear.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10871967
2014 Cadillac CTS-VDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 30 mph, the stabilizer control warning indicator illuminated as a message displayed 'reduce engine capacity'. There was a reduction in the engine power and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 10762223

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience