10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,747 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.

2014 Cadillac CTS drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Oct 022023

CTS

  • miles

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

My car was unsafe to drive. It would not shift into drive. I had it towed to a mechanic who diagnosed the problem. I was informed the differential was the problem. I could not drive my car until the repair was done. No one had the differential part in the USA. My car is 2014 CTS with only 66,000 miles. Can I be reimbursed for this repair?

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #65

Oct 052023

CTS

  • miles
The gears inside the rear-differential of a 2014 CTS Luxury 3.6 liter Cadillac, with 48,000 miles, failed to the point where the whole differential had to be replaced. This defect is extremely dangerous to the owner of the vehicle, as well as others on the road. If the differential fails to the point where the tires lock up, the driver can lose control of the car. There were no warning messages relating to the problem and the problem did not come on gradually. There was a sudden loud grinding noise that came from the rear of the car, while driving, and the car was immediately taken to a Cadillac dealership for inspection. The dealership mechanic/technician determined that the rear differential completely failed and needed to be replaced. (The oil was drained from the differential and there were metal shavings inside the oil.) Upon research on the internet, it was determined that this rear-differential defect is an extensive problem, as other 2014 Cadillac CTS owners are experiencing a similar problem. Cadillac has recalled the 2014 CTS-V for this rear differential defect but has not acknowledged the same problem with the 2014 CTS 3.6 liter (it appears to be the same product/part design.)

- Orangeburg, NY, USA

problem #64

Aug 152023

CTS

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he heard a loud abnormal scraping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #63

Aug 102023

CTS

  • miles

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

At the moment, the vehicle is releasing a strong order smells like burning oil or gasoline. It-??s coming from the rear of the vehicle. You can smell it immediately when you step out and in the car. The rear is making a loud cranking noise and starting to shake. It appears based on the information that it-??s a huge possibility it-??s my rear differential going out. It posses a threat due to the anticipation of the brakes locking and causing a serious accident to my family or other on the road. Ive taken very good care if the vehicle and done all the required maintenance on the vehicle. Went though GM motors repair shops

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #62

May 012023

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
2014 CTS 3.6 Differential was replaced in 2019 under manufactures warranty. Les than 50k miles later the differential has gone out again. The dealer will not honor the previous install and wants to charge me close to $6k to fix. This is a known problem with every model because they all have the same differential. GM will only honor the turbo version of the 2014 CTS with the same defective rear end. This can be very dangerous if the rear end locks while driving at any speed. GM is putting my family and others on the road by ignoring a known issue. I am calling out Putnam Cadillac in Berlingame Ca. taking a blind eye to a known issue.

- San Jose , CA, USA

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problem #61

Sep 032022

CTS

  • miles
Rear differential has gone bad. Hundreds, if not thousands of these vehicles have had this issue. Nothing is being done! It-??s a shame that us CTS owners are stuck with these problems.

- Davenport , IA, USA

problem #60

Dec 012022

CTS

  • miles

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

The rear differential is making a howling noise. The CTS V sport was recalled but not the regular CTS. Many other customers have made compliant on different websites. I am hoping to have the recall done so I don-??t have to spend money on the car. It will be an expensive fix.

- Wilsonville , OR, USA

problem #59

Oct 012022

CTS

  • miles
Rear Differential is failing, making a loud grinding, howling, screeching sound. Cadillac has already recalled rear diff on same year CTS-V (some models), but not for this or other CTS models, but finding replacement parts is almost impossible because a LOT of people are having the exact same failure.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #58

Dec 132022

CTS

  • miles
Differential is going bad and it-??s only got 60k miles on it and if the wheels lock up that is bad. And I can-??t find the part nowhere.

- Chicago Ridge, IL, USA

problem #57

Sep 142022

CTS

  • miles
2014 CTS with 53,000 miles. Loud whining noise started in rear of vehicle. Went to the shop and was told that the rear differential is bad. Technician stated that this is a known widespread problem with this model Cadillac. He also stated that there are no parts available and has 9 other customers waiting for the manufacturer to supply the part. He is being told by GM that it could be up to 6 months wait for the parts. Why is there not a recall. I hope that nobody gets seriously injured due to the faulty parts!

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #56

May 202022

CTS

  • miles

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

The rear differential failing at very low mileage on the 2014 and others models and years using the same part is a very common issue. The CTSV model was recalled and not the cts models. Even though it-??s the same part but just one single different number in the part number. This is very offsetting being that it-??s a costly part and requires costly replacement. It almost always can never be repaired but only replaced. Cadillac has recognized that it-??s an issue but only recalled the CTS vsport models. Even though it-??s the same exact part. My car isn-??t able the be driven due to this due to high demand of the part making it very difficult to find. The part number is 84110751.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #55

Oct 012022

CTS

  • miles
I have 75,000 miles on a 2014 Cadillac and the rear differential is bad, they have recalled this same differential on the same year of vehicle but only if it was in the turbo model. What's the difference? same part, same thing is wrong.

- North Branch, MI, USA

problem #54

Oct 052022

CTS

  • miles
Rear Carrier Assembly is making grinding noise. Mechanic says that driving car could be life threatening. GM and Cadillac dealership has no parts. So car is useless. The car has 56,000 miles. There should be a recall and remedy for this Model, 2014 Cadillac 3.6L CTS. Especially when the V version of this car already has a recall. GM should be held accountable for this design flaw.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #53

Jun 012022

CTS 4-cyl

  • miles
General Motor's design oversights irreversibly damaged the rear differential carrier of my 2014 Cadillac CTS4 around 75,000 to 80,000 miles. Unfortunately, there is no prior indication of the rear differential carrier assembly leaking fluid or damaging the bearing. Only after the problem occurs, the rear differential assembly starts to make a whining sound that can be heard in the cabin of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the whining sound is a clear indicator that the rear differential assembly is damaged irreversibly. The lack of differential fluid in rear differential carrier assembly can lead to a catastrophic failures. The complete failure of the rear differential assembly would result in internal gears seizing up and locking of the rear wheels. Likewise, there is no prior indicators of when the rear wheels will seize up. On highways speeds, this problem can create dangerous and even life threating conditions to the occupants of the vehicle as well as the other motorists sharing the road.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #52

Oct 192022

CTS

  • miles
-?? Rear Differential is malfunctioning and is making a loud roaring, grinding noise. Is available for inspection. -?? Safety concern is no warning lamps notify you of malfunction and if differential goes out while driving wheels can lock up and increase the chance of a crash, And is a danger to passengers as well. -?? Called Dealer and was told part was discontinued probably because they know it is a bad part. Was told to rebuild or find a used part from junkyard. 2 independent service centers confirmed differential is malfunctioning. -?? No warning lamps to notify you, loud roaring, grinding noise can be heard.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #51

Oct 142022

CTS 4-cyl

  • miles
POWER TRAIN | DIFFERENTIAL | REAR AXLE BLOWN | ROLL PINS FRACTURED YES = INSPECTION AVAILABLE YES = Safety of family and friends lives were at risk at any moment the differential decides to cease up. LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERSHIP INSPECTED + INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED NO WARNING LAMPS PRIOR TO DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTIONING + ROARING NOISE AFTER MALFUNCTION SERVICE ENGINE + SERVICE STABILTRAC + TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT EMITTED. CAUSE = GM CADILLAC SAFETY FRAUD + DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL Thousands of complaints online. GM is only recalling the CTS-V series and no other CTS when its clear and evident that all CTS's 2014-2015 DIFFERENTIALS ARE DEFECTIVE. OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH NO OPTIONS AND VEHICLE OF NO VALUE = COMPLETE LOSS DUE TO GM STOPPING PRODUCTION OF DIFFERENTIAL & PROVIDING NO RECALL. THERE ARE NO DIFFERENTIALS IN THE USA TO REPAIR VEHICLE. EVEN CTS-V TIER THAT IS RECALLED ARE GETTING NO HELP & GM TURNS A BLIND EYE THIS IS CRIMINAL | NO RECALL | NO EQUIVALENT VEHICLE OFFERED FOR TRANSPORTATION COMPLETE LOSS OF INVESTMENT | UPSIDE DOWN ON FINANCES | HARDSHIPS CTS WAS RATED WITH A 5-STAR SAFETY RATING = COMPLETE FRAUD ITS A MAJOR SAFETY VIOLATION AND RISK TO CTS OWNER'S / FAMILIES AS WELL AS ANYONE ON THE ROAD THATS NEAR A CTS WHEN DIFFERENTIAL GOES BAD WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS. AT THIS POINT OWNERS HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR A SOLUTION THAT GM WILL NOT PROVIDE. WHICH IN MY EYES IS CRIMINAL AND KNOWING ABOUT HOW SEVERE THIS ISSUE IS AND DOING NOTHING TO SHOW THEY CARE FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. GM / CADILLAC SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED ON THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY WITH AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION | LIVES ARE AT RISK. ALSO WHOMEVER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A 5-STAR SAFETY LABEL. PEOPLE HAVE DIED DUE TO THIS DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AT HIGH SPEEDS. AND THE PROBLEM IS LISTED EVERYWHERE ONLINE BY ALL TIER LEVEL 2014-15 CTS OWNERS. NOT ONLY ARE OWNERS ROBBED THEIR LIFE IS PUT AT RISK OF DEATH PLUS THE LOSS OF TRANSPORTATION = LOSS OF JOB = DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #50

Jul 292022

CTS

  • miles
Differential are bad in these cars with only 60,000 miles and and if it goes out, car could lock up causing an accident. Recall has been issued but not for all vehicles. Which there are a lot more vehicles with the issue than that have an recall put in them. 2014 Cadillac CTS RWD 3.6L like mine should be recalled immediately.

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #49

Jul 242022

CTS

  • miles
I notice the differential was leaking and had to repair it but I am not certain if this will happen again

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #48

Apr 282022

CTS

  • miles
I started to notice pulsation upon braking and replaced my pads and rotors, at the same time switching from winter wheels to summer wheels. The pulsation continued, and then I noticed a rumbling sound from the rear end that has grown increasingly loud over the past three days, and now it is accompanied by wobbling upon braking at speed. An independent shop today diagnosed it as a rapidly failing rear differential. The car has 70,000 miles and no accidents. As I understand it, the CTS-V version of the same vehicle has a recall for failing differentials that are the very same part that's used in these non-V models. The web is full of complaints from other owners of my model who are experiencing this same issue. It is a catastrophic failure part that could cause the rear end of the car to lock up at speed. Please address ASAP, thank you!

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #47

Feb 072022

CTS

  • miles
I have been told my car needs a front and rear differential. I have heard a low rumbling in the car for some time which I have now been told that sound was the differential breaking down. My car has been at dealership for 2 months now

- Shiloh, GA, USA

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