Cadillac CTS fire or smoke problems

Filed May 28, 2025 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard an extremely loud bang, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and observed smoke coming from the rear axle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · OH

All of a sudden when I started my car, the lights flickered constantly, the power steering failed, and it blew my starter and fairly new battery. I was so scared; I thought it was going to catch on fire because it smelled burnt. And I was on [XXX] in Hubbard Ohio, and I was trying to get to [XXX] and safety to which I did. THANK Goodness for AAA. I was told this happened because of a plug in wiring to heat or warm the washer fluid. It is available for inspection. My safety was impacted because, I had no power steering, flickering lights and smell of burnt stuff. My problem was fixed by an independent shop. My vehicle was not inspected by a GM dealer or my insurance. Was inspected by an independent shop that it was towed to. Warnings prior to incident: I would turn the ignition and nothing. But that would only happen several weeks apart. I thought maybe the starter was going, but it was odd because it was so many weeks far apart that it would happen. It might have been a total of 4 times since October of 2024. During the incident, power steering warning came on, charging system came on and the car sounded like it was barely running. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

Vehicle Purchase Statement – Top Tier Auto I, [XXX] , purchased a vehicle from Top Tier Auto on [XXX]. The vehicle details are as follows: VIN: [XXX] Warranty: 30-day coverage for the transmission and engine After owning the vehicle for only 15 minutes, I entered the freeway, and the car began to shake violently. Shortly after, a gentleman driving behind me alerted me that sparks and fire were falling from beneath the car. I immediately pulled over, just before the engine burst into flames. The Columbus Police Department responded to the scene and had to extinguish the fire. This incident occurred within minutes of purchasing the vehicle, despite the supposed 30-day warranty covering the transmission and engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 3, 2022 · Electrical, Seats · MI · fire · 1 injury

Heated seat when turned on caught on fire, burned me & the seat has burned leather. No warnings or lamps came on. It is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Apr 8, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · CO

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 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 Feb 5, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 43,000 miles · NY · fire

The car caught on fire while driving in nyc at speeds of 10-20 MPH first the car started to smoke in the front hood while turning left on 5th avenue. I got out of the car and the car was on flames. I have a dash camera and iphone footage of the incident. I bought this car from an authorized cadillac dealership in june 2019 and the car caught on fire on christmas day 2019

Filed Dec 7, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 45,000 miles · NY · fire

After a 45 minute drive and returning home I parked my car on the street in front of my home. The car drove perfectly normal as always and there was no indication of anything wrong with the car. There were no warning lights or anything else to indicate a problem with the car. I entered my house and as I walked pasted my kitchen window I could see flames coming out from under the hood on the driver side of the vehicle it was only a couple of minutes since from the time I entered my house. Within 5 minutes the entire car was engulfed with flames. After the fire department extinguished then fire I asked what could have cause the fire. I was told it was probably an electrical or a fuel malfunction.

Filed Jun 29, 2019 · Engine · 59,824 miles · OH

Took my car in because the engine kept running when car is off. ( I could only here it when in the garage. Third time this happened. They replaced water pump 2 years in a row. This year the same thing happened. They said it was the thermostat housing. They replaced it but did not test drive it. I put it on the freeway and got a burning smell with black smoke and a noise. Took it back the next day because they were closed. He would not take my car back to see what the problem was. He told me he did not know anything about cars. He just work the desk. He said if you here a noise bring it back. Several days later I heard a noise but it did not sound like the same noise. Sound like it was coming from the back passenger side. They supposedly replaced the thermostat housing and a hose or something. I asked the manager why would they replace it when I already paid for one just a month or so earlier. He could not give me an answer. Then several days later I noticed I had a leak. This time they said I needed a head gasket. At this point I am trying to have someone else give me their opinion. It has 60,000 miles I made a big mistake and forgot to ask for the old part. But had he looked at my car when it was smoking I would not be going through this right know I fee.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 157,000 miles · TX · fire

At about approximately 4:22 am this morning my car was engulfed in flames in my driveway. I was awakened by my cadillac cts 2003 car alarm as the flames we're visible thru my bedroom window. At which time I ran outside to turn on the water hose to turn off the fire as my family was sleeping in the house. My husband's car was right next to my cadi that had a full tank of fuel. I called 911 and the fire department arrived to turn off the fire on the cadillac cts 2003. And for more than ten minutes the fire was still blazing as the firemen unable to control the flames. My car is gone as it burned down. Please help me to understand why this happened. I only carried liability as this was all I could afford. I thank the lord that even when we were in harm's way, he jehovah god protected us. All the glory to jesus christ that their was no lost of life. Material things can be replaced. I am grateful to god for his mercy and grace. He has total control and I know that he was with us. I was not aware that these cars have a history of catching on fire. I am glad that we were not on the road when this happened. My mother suffered a stroke and this could of been more detrimental but god did not permit the hand of the enemy to touch us physically, halelujah to the lamb of god! I am blessed to be a child of god! I know that he will give us justice because he does not forsake his children and he is a god that does not lie. He is god emanuel! He is my shalom!

Filed Jul 16, 2018 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid and the low brake fluid warning indicator illuminated. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle near the tire. An independent mechanic confirmed the failure, but did not diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact was advised to refill the brake fluid container. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.