The output shaft flange for the transmission that mounts to the driveshaft coupler the flange starts to break away and then breaks . I can provide photos but the metal on the part is close the the end and if I did not find this problem by mistake the drive shaft would have came free
2004 Cadillac CTS transmission problems
52 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 22,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 22,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Driveline: differential unit32
- Driveline3
- Automatic transmission3
- Manual transmission2
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
- Axle assembly: axle shaft1
- Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Cadillac CTS transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Cadillac CTS transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Rear drivetrain component failure
In july of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential may fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation gm issued recall 07v‑589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate complaints of fractured rear differential housings or rear half shafts in high performance cadillac cts-v vehicles.according to gm, these failures resulted from the cumulative damage from multiple power hop events that can occur during very aggressive driving. In february 2008 investigators from odi met with gm representatives to conduct testing of the subject cts-v vehicles.during the testing the subject vehicles were subjected to considerable torsional forces from standing starts and while driving.power hop occurred during some of the most aggressive driving maneuvers.the testing did not result in failure of any rear drivetrain components.the engineering design and testing data supplied to odi by gm and the results of the testing conducted by odi tend to support gm's position that the differential design is not defective. Complaints listed in the failure report do not include those indicative of failure of the rear pinion seal in cts-v vehicles covered by recall 07v‑589. Further investigation in this matter would not be an efficient allocation of agency resources.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see attached closing report for further details.
EA07017
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency concerning defective rear axle pinion seals in approximately 275,936 model year (my) 2005-07 cadillac cts, sts and srx vehicles as well as my 2006-07 pontiac solstice and my 2007 saturn sky vehicles (recall 07v‑589).on sts and srx vehicles with all wheel drive, the front axle pinion seal also does not meet all of gm's specifications and may experience a fluid leak.gm indicated that the seal supplier made an unauthorized change to the pinion seal material.leaking pinion seals could result in loss of rear differential lubrication which could result in rear wheel lock-up and loss of vehicle control. On december 7, 2007, odi opened an engineering analysis (ea07-017) to investigate complaints of rear drivetrain component failure (e.g., fractured rear differential carrier housing or rear axle half shafts) while driving in approximately 7,600 my 2004 through 2006 cadillac cts-v vehicles.this condition may result in a loss of motive power and vehicle disablement and is not addressed by recall 07v‑589.odi identified 35 complaints (16 to odi and 19 to gm) and 128 warranty claims potentially related to this condition (see ea07-017 opening resume).these complaints are not included in the failure report summary of this closing resume. The complaints and warranty figures given in this resume are limited to those that (a) are most likely caused by a leaking rear pinion seal; and (b) resulted in an allegation of a rear differential failure while driving.the data do not include all reports of seal leakage.
PE07037
What 2004 Cadillac CTS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
At about 100k I noticed the axle seals on the rear differential is leaking. There are recalls on this but not based on my VIN number. When I noticed this the car was on a lift in the air being inspected by a mechanic.
Rear pinion seal failed and rear axle locked up. Lost control and was involved in accident. Shocked to find out there is a recall for 2005 and newer cts (the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v589000, gm recall no. 07204) but not my 2004 which has an identical rear main seal. The part number used in the recall is the same to repair my 2004.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 cadillac cts. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, it reversed four feet before coming to a complete stopped. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.
Was driving down the road at 55 MPH and all of a sudden we lost drive power. The RPM's revved up to 4 before I could pull over on a busy road jumping two lanes of traffic with my three kids in the car. It was storming the car was running but would not engages in gear. When we got out there was transmission fluid poring and spraying out of the car we quickly knew to turn it off and call for help. When we got the car home we saw that the transmission line came off the radiator. I have seen sense then that this problem is very common and most peoples transmission are shot after this happens. Witch is a $5000 fix. There was no indicators that the part was bad or that the coolant pan was loose in the bottom of the radiator which striped out the nut on the line leavening me and my three kids stranded on the side of the road. Cadillac knew this was a problem so they put out a after market part with a quick disconnect not the screw in part like my car had. I found that out after I called around to have my car fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while traveling 35 MPH, a humming noise emitted from the engine compartment. The vehicle vibrated and the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that after the speed increased to 60 MPH, the vehicle no longer vibrated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 57,565.
The transmission cooler lines blew out of the radiator. The transmission fluid was blowing out all over the engine compartment front tires, front brakes, and onto the road. I saw on some forums, where they stated that this was a common problem for the cadillac cts. And I wasn't sure if anyone else had filed a complaint. It definitely was not a safe situation to be in. To be honest, I have owned/driven a number of cars, starting from a 1950 chevy. I can't believe that the cooler lines blowing out of the radiator is now a problem. None of my previous vehicles had this problem and they were definitely not in any kind of pristine condition.
Had my cruise control set at 70 MPH for highway driving when I heard a psshhh sound and cruise control broke violently and smelled burnt rubber with smoke coming from back end of car. Pulled over immediately and car smoke from back end and smell only increased. Thought for sure I had a tire blowout. Walked around car and nothing wrong with tires. Had car towed to an auto repair place and am told that the rear differential went out. I have since investigated and found many, many forums about this issue. There are no recalls for this particular model but a certain recall for 2005 models. This situation could have been deadly and I feel both fortunate and upset with gm that such a problem has been so commonly noted but with no "real" resolve. The auto repair place has called around and this is a special part that is not available in my state and a new one costs an estimated $1,200. With so many issues with models 2004-2006 how come there is no recall for 2004 and only a lesser degree of a recall for 2005?
I have had numerous problems with my 2004 cadillac cts. The most recent is with my rear differential. The latest problem with the differential prompted an online search with the results showing that each of the problems I have had with my cadillac cts is one that has happened with 1000's of other 2004 cts model cadillacs.
Noticed brown liquid leaking from the front driver wheel area. Had vehicle towed to gm dealer where they discovered a coolant line failure which created leaking of transmission fluid into radiator and coolant into transmission. Both transmission and radiator need replacing, car is unable to be driven. This was determined by the dealer and cadillac to be a failure of the part, unable to be prevented and unable to detect. Consumer was not at all responsible for damage. Total estimated cost $4,900. Contacted gm where they offered to "split" the cost 50/50, myself reliable for the $2400. Although cadillac took responsibility for the failure, I am responsible for the cost of repair.
Questions about the 2004 Cadillac CTS transmission
Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Cadillac CTS, 23% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 22,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Cadillac CTS transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Cadillac CTS have bad transmission?
The Cadillac CTS model years with the most transmission complaints are 2014 (84 complaints), 2005 (82 complaints) and 2004 (52 complaints).
Other 2004 Cadillac CTS problems
Brakes 38Electrical 34Airbags 26Body 17Engine 17Suspension 16Steering 14Acceleration 11Driver assistance 10Fuel system 9Lights 9Wheels 8Tires 6Locks 5Seat belts 4Visibility 3Seats 2
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