Cadillac CTS transmission failure problems

Filed Sep 20, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · OK

I purchased this vehicle is certified preowned Cadillac and during the warranty time I had a transmission issue that was causing the transmission to jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and at highway speeds, it would start jerking nonstop. I took it to the dealer and as per a service bulletin, they flushed the transmission fluid and replaced the transmission fluid. This was only a temporary fix because 30,000 miles later the same issues started occurring again and have gotten worse to the point that you can smell the transmission clutches burning and the transmission overheating, possibly causing the number four piston rings to come apart, resulting in an engine replacement as well. I’ve had to replace engine as possible result, but the transmission problem is still there and it has also caused the check engine light to come on intermediately. This could result in a complete transmission failure, causing a vehicle to lose propulsion leading to a possible accident and injuries. This issue needs to be investigated and repairs or replacement made at the manufacturers expense.. This is a four-cylinder turbo engine and an eight speed automatic transmission. In my opinion, the transmission issue caused my engine failure. There should be investigated and an immediate recall issued.

Filed Sep 22, 2024 · Acceleration, Steering · AR

The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manual at the time of the torque converter seal replacement. The faulty component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others was put at risk due to the vehicle's hesitation to accelerate after stopping, a direct consequence of the low transmission fluid. This hesitation causes a sudden loss of power while driving, increasing the likelihood of an accident. THere is a delay and then a hard shift when off , a significant bump when shifting from first to second gear and when I stop it feels like I've been rear ended by another car. The issue has been confirmed by multiple service centers, including Parker Cadillac, ORR Cadillac, and Christian Brothers Automotive, all of which identified the transmission pump seal as the source of the leak and the resulting damage to the transmission. Additionally, Christian Brothers Automotive found that the torque converter seal was also leaking, further contributing to the vehicle's transmission problems. Despite efforts to have GM engineers inspect the vehicle at ORR Cadillac, they declined. However, Christian Brothers Automotive has provided a thorough inspection and diagnostic of the .There were no warning lamps or error codes indicating the issue, as it was a mechanical failure rather than an electronic one. The symptoms became apparent when the vehicle began hesitating after coming to a stop, and a transmission fluid leak was discovered during the inspection​

Filed Feb 25, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

Ever since I purchased this 2008 CTS vehicle, I have dumped thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle even after the "recall repairs". Problems persist and the car has become more dangerous than ever. The vehicle had inspected by the dealership a number of times the first 5 years of ownership the first 3, listed below, were the replaced recalls from dealership, the rest are known safety issues that gm denies to admit to faults and recalls. *Ignition starter replacement (still have starter failure issues after 2 repairs from gm) *washer fluid warmer removal (they just snipped the wires and removed the component but left hot wires exposed in vehicle) *motherboard ecm replacement recall(ecm is still faulty and has caused dozens of electrical issues. **************** battery drains over night. On my 6th battery (just bought new one 3 days ago) gauge cluster never recalibrated and is completely disabled. Don't know how fast im going how much gas or any other info related to. sunroof constantly leaking, flooding vehicle and destroying the electrical components which fried many relays including the door lock and power window components vehicle refuses to turn but cranks on fuel often will not allow a fill up ecm throwing irrelevant codes headlight failure due to seal defect that allows moisture into headlight casing frequent oil loss. 2018: vehicle engine failure whilst driving on freeway with zero warning nearly causing a fatal crash. Purchased new alternator (Shade tree auto in san Clemente) and had to pay 2000 for tow and alternator transmission failure and near miss collision into another vehicle on a steep incline road I have taken this vehicle to a multitude of repair shops and auto supply to get a diagnosis. Even the dealership didn't have any answers. Now I am out of a car. and money. These issues had been confirmed by Rorick Cadillac, Shade tree auto, oreily, s and s auto, auto zone.

Filed Jul 11, 2021 · Transmission · NC

A known issue. “Clutch slow to fill” is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be fixed with an “update” but tried to charge over $300 for the “update” when it is a defect that should have been fixed under warranty for free or have a recall.

Filed Jul 15, 2020 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · VA

The transmission failed while the vehicle was stationary at a stop sign on a street road in blacksburg, virginia the consumer stated a few months after purchasing the vehicle, the transmission locked up at 59,000 miles.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Transmission · 37,247 miles · MD

The car has 37250 miles on it. 6 months ago, it started shifting roughly between 1st and 2nd gear. We took it to waldorf cadillac/gm in waldorf, md. They acknowledged it was a known issue and would take the following steps: flush the transmission, re-program the transmission, replace the valve, and ultimately, replace the transmission. They have done all the actions except replace the transmission and won't take further action. The car shifts so violently at times that you don't know if you're going to hit the car in front of you. We live in the washington dc area, so traffic is usually stop-and-go. When the car gets to the top end of 1st gear (around 9 MPH) it hesitates, then slams into second gear. It has also gotten "stuck" in first gear, while turning onto a street. The engine accelerated but the car wouldn't shift so I had to pull off immediately or risk being hit by oncoming traffic. It has only done this once since we started having problems.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · MN

At under 90,000 miles my 2009 cadillac cts awd started to make a thumping noise when I shifting between gears. This happened for 3 days. On the 4th day I drove to my office, parked in a parking ramp. When I went to leave for the day I got in my car to go home, the car started and moved into gear, but as I approached the exit gate, which is on a hill it, car abruptly made a grinding noise and would no longer move forward or backward. There were cars lined up to exit the parking ramp behind me. I was fortunate to act quickly and use the emergency brake to prevent the car from rolling into another vehicle. I had to get assistance from other drivers and security guards to help push the car out of the ramp exit lane. With no notice of the transmission failure I could have been on the freeway and have caused an accident when the car suddenly stopped working. As it is, I was lucky not to have rolled back into other cars. I called the dealer to report the issue and they said it sounded like a transmission problem. I had the car towed to a service station who confirmed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replace at a cost of over $4,000.00. There were no "check engine" lights regarding the transmission. The transmission should not have failed at my mileage and use rate. The dealership told me that there was no recall and that no-one else had experienced this issue. I find hundreds of reports of this issue online. At the price I paid for this car it should have lasted another 10 year. There were no warnings that my transmission was failing. A transmission should not die at less than 100,000 miles. There are numerous reports showing that this problem is not unique to my car. This has to be a faulty part and a recall should be established.

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · NY

I brought my vehicle in for service due to an audible "clunking" coming from the driveline. When the service manager shifted the car into gear in the service bay there was an audible "clunk" to which he stated that it sounded like my driveshaft was "coming off." I left the car and went to lunch. 30 minutes later I was told that my vehicle needed a new transmission and transfer case because the transmission output shaft was "stripped" and the car would not move on it's own. The service manager told me that they had taken the vehicle out for a test drive and that pulling back into their parking lot there was a bang and then the car would not move anymore and that they had to push the vehicle back into the garage. In researching this issue I found a technical service bulletin put out by general motors for this exact issue in other 2008-2013 cadillac cts models equipped with all wheel drive. I also found that the root of the problem is that there is no gasket or barrier between the transmission output shaft and the transfer case input shaft. This allows water and/or moisture to get into these components causing corrosion which leads to the "stripping" of the transmission output shaft. Gm has created revised components to allow for a gasket between these components, but this requires a complete tear-down of the transmission and transfer case. I am now forced to pay for a new transmission and transfer case on the vehicle (because I still have a lien on it) and cadillac and/or gm are refusing to recognize this problem or help in covering any of the repairs. There are multiple complaints regarding this problem from other cadillac owners.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac cts. While driving 35 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Transmission · 101,088 miles · NJ

At 101,000 miles my 2009 cadillac cts awd starting to "thump" when shifting from reverse to drive or vice versa. It also did it when coming to a stop. This started happening on a thursday. I made an appointment for service for the following wednesday at the dealer. On my way to the service appointment, the transmission failed one mile from the dealership on a busy highway. I managed to safely get the vehicle off the road without causing an accident. I called the dealer and told them what had happened. They didn't even offer to come and get me when I could see the building from where I broke down. I had to call a wrecker to bring them the car. They said my transmission was ruined and it would cost me 3995 to repair it. Needless to say, the car wasn't worth the investment. I had onstar for the entire life of the vehicle. I never received any diagnostic warnings regarding my transmission. I also took the car to the dealer for regular service. Never was I informed that my transmission was beginning to fail. In fact, the car had been to the dealer at 98000 miles for service. There were no warnings at that time that my transmission was failing. A transmission should not die at 101,000 miles. The fact that the car completely died while driving on a busy highway without any warnings of an impending problem is a safety hazard. I'm lucky to be alive. It appears that this problem is not unique to my car. This should have been part of a recall. Instead, I was unexpectedly forced to get another vehicle.