The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Caution - Pull Over Immediately - Turn off Engine and Wait to Restart Vehicle" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and followed the instructions, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact could not pull over in time, and the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,250.
Cadillac CTS steering lock-up problems
18 of the 2,220 owner complaints about the Cadillac CTS describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 98,000
By model year
- 20171
- 20143
- 20131
- 20092
- 20083
- 20074
- 20061
- 20041
- 20032
Often reported together
Engine failure 10Stalling 3No deployment 2Sudden acceleration 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the ignition switch failed, and the steering wheel locked causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed on the driver's side on-ramp. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact and his daughter sustained injuries to the back but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, then to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The contact received the recall notification after the crash. The contact stated that the dealer refused to provide a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle owner was responsible for the cost of the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving entering the freeway at 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized, the contact was unable to turned the wheel, as a result, the contact crashed into the freeway entrance wall ramp. The contact, his wife and daughter sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The contact mentioned, his daughter was a medical surgeon and took care of them. The contact mentioned that he was not aware of any warning lights illuminated because the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to symes cadillac, 3475 e colorado blvd, pasadena, ca 91107, and was diagnosed. The contact stated that the dealer did not disclose the diagnostic result but had send the diagnostic result to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Driving at 10pm south on highway going 65mph on left shoulder 20min in and 10 min to get to my destination (home) on middlel lane n an 18 wheeler tried to merge to left (gusssing he did not see car) so to avoid being swiped by semi said ed steering will to left off to exit median close to cement baracade semi passed got back on road 5 minutes in side left & right also front and back air bags deployed lost control off vehicle and spinned out of freeway & steering wheel locked unable to start vehicle car facing south now and off highway realized the only thing hit was a front grill where cadillac sign next to it grill was cracked couple of scuffs but no other body damages and front airbags dint deploy so questioning if possible undetected malfunctions progressive insurance agent lakiesha woodson no police report because I dint get hit or hit anything or anybody have a repair invoice - stating an 18k estimate & considered totaled due to airbags and tow service of $700 that neither delearship or insurance want to be responsible for delearship states that since insurance involved cannot have car towed to gm/cadillac service center and insurance states I'm at fault because I'm the one that swerved from semi but have stated I avoided to be hit or pushed off road and it was way after that is when airbags just deployed for nothing or due to it being all electric is just too sensitive and late in reacting either way that's what caused me loosing control of vehicle was not expecting the deployment... Had I otherwise hit or been hit I would asume the front airbags would have deployed as well and there would be more body damage other than just airbags and a fallen off front fender just feel like this should be investigated because even if it does not make sense it is what happened just no one wants to accept the responsibility deductible $500
Steering locks up at idle and low speeds. Takes all my strength to overcome this situation almost caused an accident. Happens in park lots, city and superhighway. Since december of 2018. I called gm and cadillac and they refused to tell me the replacement part number for power steering fluid listed in the owners manual
Tl* the contact leases a 2017 cadillac cts. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning and became difficult to steer. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to her residence. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v086000 (steering); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called king o'rourke buick gmc (located at 756 smithtown bypass #102, smithtown, ny 11787, (631) 982-4447) and was informed that the part was not available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 95151697980. The approximate failure mileage was 17,100. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
My steering wheel locks up at low speeds. I can turn right the steering wheel feel like it is locked up. Then I would apply the brakes an turn the opposite direction it will release the steering wheel. Today both side at locking up. I will take it to moore cadillac on monday jan. 30th, 2017. I have had my mechanic already looked at it. He stated it is a safety issue. He also told me 2 incidents happen in massachusetts please contact me to help with the right course of action I would need to take please. [xxx] thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, the steering wheel seized as the vehicle accelerated but loosened as the vehicle decelerated. The service power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven at a very low speeds to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering actuator failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the steering gear however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac cts. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five different occasions where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 cadillac cts. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electrical system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,394.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
Recall number 25V175000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
- Risk
- Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
Recall number 19V086000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
- Risk
- If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.
Recall number 04V273000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt may be loose.
- Risk
- An improperly tightened bolt could loosen, resulting in separation of the upper and lower steering shafts causing a loss of vehicle control. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for the presence of the intermediate steering shaft bolt and ensure that it is tightened to the proper specification. Owner notification began march 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006.
Recall number 03V115000 · Recall details
Questions about the Cadillac CTS steering lock-up
Which Cadillac CTS years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (4 complaints), 2008 (3 complaints) and 2014 (3 complaints).
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