Problems · by component

2007 Cadillac CTS power train problems

33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Cadillac CTS cite power train, 15% of all 218 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
33
15% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle primarily failed while parked at owner residence [XXX] and remained inoperable for approximately three weeks prior to tow to Cadillac dealership. The ignition key became trapped and could not be removed. A manual override release beneath the driver-side steering column was required to free the key — confirming the lock was held electronically, not mechanically jammed. Fault confirmed by authorized Cadillac dealer: intermittent electrical fault within the shifter assembly lock mechanism. A similar intermittent concern was previously documented on this vehicle in 2011 (logged as "Customer Concern Not Duplicated"), establishing a recurring pattern. GM Technical Service Bulletin 07-07-30-032D (2006–2011 Cadillac CTS, automatic transmission) explicitly documents this exact condition: key sticking, Shift to Park DIC message, shifter binding, and battery drain. OEM replacement part is now discontinued. Manufacturer declined goodwill or recall coverage. Dealer refuses repair unless owner assumes full financial responsibility for a used part with no warranty and no guarantee against recurrence. Safety concern: ignition/shift interlock failure causing vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11737285
“Rear differential seal leaking Midas told me when I had the oil changed right after I got the car exactly one year and one day ago today and there is like a weird noise when I drive but if I turn the heat or air in it stops”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2021Power train, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11421361
“THE SELLER LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING! THE FIRST QUESTION I ASKED WAS IF THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. HE BRAGGED ABOUT BEING A MECHANIC, AND DOING ALL THE WORK ON THE CAR, SO EVERYTHING IN THE CAR IS IN, "TIP TOP SHAPE." HE REPLIED, "NO, NEVER!" HE DID NOT ALLOW US TO RIDE THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THE PURCHASE, CLAIMING IT WAS ILLEGAL. 10 MINS AFTER LEAVING THE CAR LOT, THE CAR CUTS OFF AND IS UNABLE TO CRANK BACK UP. THE SELLER MEETS US AND CLAIMS IT THE BATTERY. A "NEW" BATTERY WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. MY FIANC, WHO IS NOT A MECHANIC, TOLD HIM MORE THAN ONCE, THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE BATTERY, BUT THE ALTERNATOR. HE GOT THE CAR TO CRANK. AS WE ARE RIDING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR CUTS OFF, AND WE ARE LEFT AIMLESSLY ROLLING AND ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE WHEEL. PLUS, THE ELECTRICITY IN THE CAR IS OFF SO WE CAN'T EVEN TURN ON OUR HAZARD LIGHTS TO CAUTION THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SELLER, ONCE AGAIN, HE TELLS US THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT AND WILL NOT CANCEL THE DEAL. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 4-5 HOURS. AFTER SPEAKING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, THEY QUICKLY CONFIRM THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2020Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11373569
“THE CAR IS RUNNING LIKE IT IS STUCK IN SOME KIND OF SAFETY MODE. IT DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE UNLESS IT STARTS ACCELERATING IN THIRD GEAR. IT DOES NOT COME OUT OF 3RD GEAR AT ALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON THE DASH. THERE IS A COUPLE OF RECALLS LISTED FOR THE SAME EXACT YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT IT SAYS THAT THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED TO SEE IF IT ACTUALLY DOES NEED TO BE LISTED UNDER THOSE RECALLS. IT IS NOT JUST THIS ONE SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER HAVING THESE ISSUES EITHER. I HAVE TALKED TO QUITE A FEW CADILLAC OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THEIR VEHICLES ARE NOT LISTED UNDER THOSE RECALLS EITHER. IF YOU TURN ON THE CAR YOU PUT IT INTO DRIVE THE CAR REMAINS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS PROPERLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2018Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11142784
“YES I BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AT FIRST BROUGHT CAR COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP SO GOT THAT GRANNY REBUILT AND THEN FOUR AND HALF YEARS LATER HAVE PROBLEM WITH TYRANNY AGAIN BUT NOW AS YOU PUT FOOT ON PEDAL THE CAR GO FOR ONLY BOUT 5 OR 10 MINUTE THEN IT WOULD SLOW DOWN THEN WOULD JUST STOP WHEN PUT FOOT ON PEDAL. WIPER WOULD NOT TURN OFF ON IT OWN ONLY WHEN YOU TAKE FUSE OUT THE RADIO STOP WORKING N THE BRIGHT LIGHT WOULD TURN ON BY ITS SELF EVERY TIME YOU PUT ON TURN SIGN ON AT NIGHT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2018Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11089256
“I AM THE OWNER OF THIS 2007 GM PRODUCT. I TOOK MY CAR TO FRANKEL CADILLAC 1/09/15 , INVOICE NUMBER 60596 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE RECOMMENDED RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. ON THAT DATE THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE WIRING ON THE ABS AND EBTM AND I DENIED THE SERVICE TO BE DONE THERE BECAUSE I WAS QUOTED A COST OF OVER 2,500 DOLLARS AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT MIGHT ESCALATE TO 3500 IF AN ABS PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALSO. I LATER HAD THE WORK DONE AT YOUNG'S LOCATED IN WOODLAWN FOR A LOT LESS. I NOW PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER TRAIN AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND HAVE THE AUTO IN GREGG'S REPAIR , 5050 WABASH AVE. I ALSO SAW ON LINE THAT THE ON STAR OPERATION IS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ANTI THEFT MODE. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF 886 DOLLARS PLUS CHANGE BY GREGG'S CADILLAC . I AM ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT IN ORDER TO GET THE KEY OUT, THE BATTERY HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED. I AM PERPLEXED THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. WITH ALL OF THE NOTED PROBLEMS I WAS IN MOTION. I WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE CITY AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ANTI THEFT MODE WENT INTO OPERATION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2016Power train, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 10908037

Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: seal

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Power trainReported Dec 20, 2007NHTSA 07V589000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.