Engine burns 1quart of oil, 100 miles. Brakes went to floor, brake lines had holes at 69,000 miles. Driver rear axel leaks. 2006 Cadillac CTS is a lemon!! Money Pit !!!
2006 Cadillac CTS transmission problems
45 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 45
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 40,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Driveline: differential unit11
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal3
- Automatic transmission3
- Manual transmission1
- Driveline: driveshaft1
- Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
- Clutch assembly1
- Axle assembly1
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 2006 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 2006 Cadillac CTS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. The contact stated that when the vehicle shifted into gear, the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was taken to lynch cadillac of auburn (154 w creek pkwy, auburn, al 36830) where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinion seal failed and needed to be replaced. Leaks were seen by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v589000 (power train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 98,090.
The car revs up the RPM very high and the car will only be traveling at a low speed. The car was put on a diagnostic machine that returned the code p1793.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to crest cadillac (2121 rosa l parks blvd, nashville, tn) where it was diagnosed that the motor and transmission support were not the correct specifications for the engine installed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While driving various speeds, the vehicle slowed down and significantly reduced power when the driver lifted off the accelerator pedal. After discovering fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinion seal was faulty and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v589000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle independently slowed down after the traction engaged warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal and the vehicle's speed rapidly increased; however, the speed began to independently slow down. The contact stated that the vehicle's manual instructed him to depress the traction button that was located in the glove compartment. The contact depressed the button and it re-engaged the traction; however, the failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle decelerated and was not able to exceed 40 MPH. The engine warning light illuminated and the electronic engine reduced message displayed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I bought the car new, I have had a loud bang in the rear end when the automatic transmission changes gears. I have been into the dealer numerous times with the same complaint but they never corrected it or even explained it. There was a recall on the pinion seal that they did replace but it did not help the bang in the rear end. Recently, I have been told it is a problem with the differential and bushings which are completely worn out and that the differential can shift and cause additional damage. I went back into the dealer who sent 78 pages of repair and complaint history of this car to general motors, who basically said if I would have contacted them while it was under warranty they might take steps with the repair. Well I did contact them during the earlier years so I do not understand why they are not taking responsibility for the defect today.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While attempting to move the vehicle forward, the shift lever was shifted into the drive position and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the drive axle pinion seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v589000 (power train). The failure mileage was unknown.
Transmission failed without any warning. Should be a recall because easily could have gotten killed in traffic. Gm mechanic advised that it is poorly designed coolant system and allowed antifreeze to enter transmission fluid causing the failure without any warning signs.
Questions about the 2006 Cadillac CTS transmission
Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the transmission of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 17% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 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 2006 Cadillac CTS problems
Airbags 87Brakes 57Electrical 43Engine 37Acceleration 10Fuel system 10Suspension 10Lights 7Visibility 7Driver assistance 6Body 4Steering 4Seat belts 3Seats 3Tires 3Wheels 3Locks 1
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