3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,724 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Cadillac CTS:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2010 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 102023

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine warning light on. Diagnosed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado as Po008 code Bank one engine timing off. Further diagnosed as faulty engine cam chain. Advised not to drive car. Car available for inspection. Not being driven. Safety put at risk by possible major engine failure during use. Problem confirmed by two other repair facilities. Engine warning light on for several months. Problem confirmed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado. Taken there at the request of Cadillac customer service phone 800 333 4223. Contact at Cadillac customer service Miguel ext 591 6218. Given case #[XXX] Vehicle inspected by Mike Maroon Cadillac at the request of Miguel at Cadillac customer service. Inspection done at owners expense. Cadillac customer service not returning calls. Owners contact # [XXX] Mike Maroon Cadillac contact, Dave 303 442 3160 R/o #[XXX] Do not have capability to upload files. Will fax upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Broomfield, CO, USA

problem #9

Apr 212023

CTS

  • miles
Timing chain broke at 66,900 miles causing motor failure.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #8

Oct 302022

CTS

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. Additionally, the RPM and power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Lafayette, CO, USA

problem #7

Jan 182019

CTS

  • 110,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My rear tail lights for my wagon have separated from the top of the car due to poor design. Spoke with Cadillac & GM, both refuse to believe it's a design flaw on the wagon models. Both stated car out of warranty due to mileage/year. Asked if they could tell me what was used to attach lamps to vehicle, neither has a clue. Dealer wants $2100 to replace, but no guarantee that it won't happen again. Since January 2019, car has been to dealer 3 times for car not starting on 1st try. First time, negative battery cable tightened, 2nd time replaced positive battery cable, 3rd time dealer has no idea as to what is causing the issue. All lights on dash come on, engine does not turn over while parked. It will start on the 2nd try, sometimes it hesitates. Dealer told me to continue to monitor until vehicle breaks down.

- Eustis, FL, USA

problem #6

Dec 152017

CTS

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Cts. While driving 15 mph, the engine shut off. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was driven at a slow speed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to garcia Cadillac (6401 san mateo blvd ne, albuquerque, nm 87109, (505) 837-5200), but no failures could be found. The vehicle shut off again. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove at a very low speed back home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was currently being diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure may be due to a faulty relay switch. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 29,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #5

Dec 202017

CTS

  • 15,026 miles
Cadillac sent me a letter dated June 2014 with my vehicle's VIN on it indicating that "the supercharger may develop a noticeable rattle noise at idle. The noise will typically go away when the engine RPM is raised slightly above idle. However, if left uncorrected, the problem, over time, may lead to contamination of the lubricating grease and cause the bearing to squeal. If left unaddressed, the bearing may overheat and can cause the engine seizure or no-start condition." Cadillac then goes on to say that they will extend the warranty for this issue for 10 years from the service date. I brought my car in to ed morse Cadillac in sunrise fl in Jan 2015 with this letter because the car had the noise as described in the Cadillac letter. The service adviser advised that this car was not one of the vins covered. "?? I just brought my car in for an oil change and the three mechanics all heard the noise and indicated it sounded like something was wrong. I called up the Cadillac number 1-800-204-0261 and basically "min" told me that this isn't a recall but an extension of the warranty, so despite Cadillac sending me a letter indicating my car may have this specific problem that they will fix and that my car has the indicated symptoms in their letter, min at Cadillac says that I would have to pay for the diagnostic costs for Cadillac to determine if the problem as indicated in their letter is indeed what they sent me the letter for. I find this unbelievable that Cadillac is putting the onus on the customers to risk the cost of teardown or a major engine malfunction and accident, instead of recalling these cars and taking care of the problem that they notified me of. Why should I be fronting money to diagnose the problem Cadillac says I have??" clearly Cadillac would prefer the warranty to run out and not have to pay for $3K repairs on all of these cars.

- Parkland, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 172017

CTS

  • 76,844 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine light came on code P0008 timing chain issue. Cadillac has a recall on the 3.6 timing chains but my VIN for some reason isn't included. My Cadillac only has 76844 miles on it. The recall they have in place is for 10 years 120000 miles. Again for some reason my car isn't included even tho its the exact same issue and exact same engine.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #3

Jul 102015

CTS

  • 41,500 miles
Vehicle died while driving with no prior warning or error messages-complete engine failure, loss of power steering, brakes. Unable to restart after several attempts. Mechanic determined that the ECM had failed unexpectedly. When computer was replaced, they were unable to detect any sensor issues that may have contributed to ECM failure, they concluded that the ECM had failed while driving. Had it failed on freeway, results could have been catastrophic.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 122014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
The car shut off while driving down a hill this is the second time it has happened I checked with GM to see if there was a recall for this car and at this time there is not. We were lucky both times that there were no other vehicles around and that the car was kept under control while bringing it to a stop. Although GM has no recalls for this car I am filling this complaint because of the many recalls that are out there for this same problem. Will the third time be a charm when it happens and someone gets killed or seriously injured for GM to include this car? it will be to late!!!!!!!

- North Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 222013

CTS 6-cyl

  • 24,766 miles
Since purchasing this certified pre-owned vehicle, I have noticed that the car's engine has an intermittent tendency to suddenly rev or idle very high while my foot is on the brake and I am in the process of slowing down, stopping, or pulling into a parking apace. The car lurches forward and is only controlled during those times by applying a great deal of pressure on the brake until the idle returns to normal and the car stops trying to lurch forward. I have taken the car back to the service dept. Of the dealership each time (at least five times or more), but the problem had not been duplicated until the shop foreman drove it one day and was able to experience the problem. He replaced the throttle body, but the problem continues. I complained to GM and to the Virginia better business bureau because I didn't feel enough was being done to resolve the problem. Initially, GM ignored me and offered no response. When the BBB became involved, I did get a GM response. The BBB suggested the installation of a vehicle data recorder ("black box") to help in the detection of the problem. I recorded three separate incidents on the recorder. Still, the dealership attempted to point the finger of fault at me, stating that I must be driving with my feet on both pedals at the same time! I do not practice such driving habits and told the BBB so. Since the vehicle showed no further problems for a couple of days, the BBB suggested I close the file and maybe reopen later -- if my mileage qualifies to have the case reopened. I sense the BBB's resignation to support GM and the dealer, despite the fact that I have all of the necessary documentation to support my claims. I have become extremely frustrated and very nervous about this potentially dangerous defect, and nothing is being done about it. I am hoping that you can help resolve this.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Not what you are looking for?