Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. This is just poor quality material and craftsmanship. Easily could have been avoided by simply using a different metal than mild steel between dissimilar metals.
2005 Cadillac CTS transmission problems
82 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 27,171. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 82
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical mileage
- 27,171
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Driveline: differential unit39
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal7
- Driveline4
- Manual transmission3
- Axle assembly: axle shaft3
- Axle assembly2
- Driveline: driveshaft1
- Clutch assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Cadillac CTS transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
- Risk
- A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or http://www.cadillac.com; pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com; and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or http://www.saturn.com.
Recall number 07V589000 · Recall details
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 2005 Cadillac CTS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle is equipped with a very weak rear differential that was used in the lesser horsepower v6 and when taking off hard the car begins to wheel hop and destroys the rear end the vehicle was in motion on a city street this has occurred twice in less then a year and a half
There's a very hard jerking coming from some where in the rear area while driving. When this happens there is a lost of power. Also the engine oil is going some where ,I keep having to put oil in it , about two to three quarts a week. When the oil gets real low the engine shakes and runs like crap and acts like it wants to cut off.
Vehicle dealer refused to perform open recalls. I replaced front brake hoses myself at my own cost. They stated very high mileage 184000 miles and you did not buy the car here.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac cts. While the vehicle was stationary, the "service stability system" and the "stability system off" messages displayed without warning. Upon acceleration, the front wheels seized. An unknown local cadillac dealer of las vegas, nevada was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the differential leaked and the vehicle became inoperable without warning. There was an abnormal sound that came from the differential. Cole buick gmc confirmed that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v589000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was traveling approximately 65 MPH on a 3 lane highway, while mainitaning a constant speed. Suddenly all power to the vehicle cut off including my power steering and braking. In a panic as I as coasting I was fortune enough to weave my way across 2 lanes to the side of the highway and roll to a complete start. After gathering myself I turned the ignition from the run position to off. I looked up and noticed there was smoke coming out from under the hood. I jumped out, lifted the hood, and heard popping and steam/smoke rising up from underneath the engine by the firewall. I pulled the oil dipstick and I was about a quart low, and it looked normal. I waited about 30 min and checked the level again with the same result. I then tried to start the vehicle and there was not response at all. I was unable to roll up my windows, and there was no power to display any information on dash. When my wife arrived I hooked up jumper cables and after a while I was able to turn the key forward to see the instrument panel. It said my battery was at the correct volts, and there were no warning lights on my dash. When I turned the ignition to start. My dash flickered rapidly and there was a clicking noise but the engine made no sound as if it was trying to turn over. So I called tow truck and got towed to my house. The vehicle was purchased by me in 09 with 32k miles. It had an issue where it was eating up to 4 quarts of oil every 1k-3k miles. I had purchase an extended warranty so bye 50k miles they tore apart engine replacing pretty much the entire engine. The car currently has less then 20k miles since warranty rebuild and I am at a loss. I put a new battery in it and that has done nothing to help. Still just makes a strange clicking noise. I have no idea what to do now. It is a 2005 cts 3.6l base automatic transmission
After a routine oil change at brogan cadillac service in totowa, nj, the recommended service (approx cost $1200) was the rear diff bushing was worn and the rear axle seals are leaking fluid. An internet search uncovered gm recall# 07204 for this make and model that states "the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak." when I called gm to inquire about this issue I was told that although there was a recall for this particular problem for cars sold in new jersey, it was specific to certain VIN numbers and my vehicle was not included in this group. However, the customer service agent made 2 follow up calls to me and the supervisor offered to look into my situation and would contact me once she spoke with the dealer. Please note: for the past two or three years the service stability system alert warning indicator light comes on every time I start the car and inquiry at the dealer LED to me have the struts and shocks replaced but the alert has never reset and the warning still comes on. Additionally, the internet search uncovered gm recall #09149 for the service brake systems which the alert has been on for a few years as well. The brake system has been serviced several times to replace pads and rotors and the warning is still persistent. I had been told it was the sensor that needs to be replace and not to worryabout it. Now I wonder if this too was "VIN specific" and did not include my vehicle but leaves me unsafely at risk. I realize that enormous expense is connected to recalls, however my safety as well as the safety of everyone who places confidence in car manufacturers to do what is right is at stake. We drive these vehicles and do not realize the gamble we take when serious issues are not dealt with consideration for safety first! Will you please save my life and get gm to fix my car?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac cts. While driving at 10 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear axle pinion seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The traction control turned off when I was driving at about 45mph. I have loss of motive power and traction control will not turn back on. I know there was a recall for this same years powertrain seal going bad and think that this is a defective model that wasn't recalled. Please let me know what can be done about this serious issue???
Questions about the 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission
Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 82 complaints about the transmission of the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 27,171 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V589000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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 2005 Cadillac CTS problems
Airbags 74Electrical 39Engine 38Brakes 34Suspension 16Fuel system 15Steering 15Driver assistance 10Tires 9Visibility 8Body 7Lights 5Seat belts 4Seats 4Wheels 4Acceleration 3Locks 3
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