Problems · by component

2014 Cadillac CTS power train problems

84 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Cadillac CTS cite power train, 58% of all 146 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
84
58% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“On April 30,2026 I was pulling into a parking space and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park with my foot the brake and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park with my foot the brake and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park . The tow truck driver who finally responded was able to lift the rear of the car up to see what was wrong with my car and I was placing it in the back of the he determined the cable for thre gear shifter was broken.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2026Power trainODI 11735366
“My 2014 Cadillac CTS has been making what sounded like road noise. After another person road in my car that was not in it daily like I was, they told me how loud it really was. After further investigation, my rear differential has gone out at only 80,000 miles. It’s impossible to drive due to the extreme safety concerns for not only myself but other drivers on the turnpikes and highways.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2026Power trainODI 11716449
“The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the recall remedy could not be performed because the transmission and axle had failed and required repair and replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Power trainODI 11709498
“I am filing a complaint against Wagner Cadillac in Tyler, Texas, regarding mishandled recall service that resulted in severe damage to my 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport (3.6 Twin-Turbo). Timeline of Events: Wagner Cadillac performed Recall #N192279370 (rear differential). At the time, only the differential code was present. Their own multipoint inspection showed no issues with the cooling or transmission systems. Immediately after recall service, my rear axle warning light came on for the first time. Shortly after, the transmission cooler line at the radiator burst, causing coolant and transmission fluid to mix. This led to overheating, hard shifting, and slipping. To limp the car home safely, I used a stop-leak additive only after the breakdown. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act clearly states warranty coverage cannot be denied unless the additive directly caused the failure, which it did not. The damage had already occurred from the ruptured line. When I returned the vehicle, Wagner Cadillac falsely accused me of voiding coverage due to the additive. They then refused to repair my transmission or cooling system, leaving me with a $30,000+ estimate. Why They Are…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11689733
“own a 2014 Cadillac CTS (VIN: [XXX] ) that was serviced under GM Recall N192279370 for rear axle differential seizing. On [XXX], the dealership replaced the rear differential carrier assembly and performed the required hydraulic system bleed. At intake, their own multi-point inspection documented no issues with the transmission, radiator, or cooling system. Immediately after the recall repair, my vehicle experienced severe issues: transmission slipping and radiator contamination with transmission fluid. These problems did not exist prior to the recall service. The dealership now claims the damage resulted from “stop leak” in the system and refuses warranty coverage. However, stop leak was not used until after the failure occurred, and only as an emergency measure to get the car home safely. The evidence strongly indicates that the failure resulted from the recall service, possibly from improper reconnection or contamination during the repair. Their refusal to acknowledge responsibility leaves me with significant repair costs for a problem that began directly after their mandated safety recall work. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in investigating this case,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2025Power trainODI 11684317
“The gear shifter cable on my 2014 Cadillac CTS failed completely and without warning. The vehicle became totally inoperable and could not be shifted into Park, Neutral, Reverse, or Drive. There were no dashboard alerts or signs of failure. This matches the exact symptoms described in GM Recall No. 21V473000. However, my vehicle was excluded from further action because it had previously received a visual-only inspection during the recall window. No functional testing was performed. Despite being marked as “repaired,” the shifter cable failed exactly as described in the original recall. GM confirmed that the recall case was closed after a visual inspection per their protocol. But this inspection clearly failed to detect a dangerous mechanical defect. I have now been without a working vehicle for over two weeks, with the earliest dealership appointment not available until the week of July 7 — and a $180 diagnostic fee quoted, with no guarantee of repair coverage. This breakdown could have resulted in a crash or rollaway if it had occurred while driving or parked on an incline. It poses a serious safety risk not just to me but to the public. Vehicles cleared with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2025Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11670528

Showing 6 of 84 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: automatic transmission

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

Power trainReported Jun 19, 2014NHTSA 14V338000
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.