2014 Cadillac CTS Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2014 Cadillac CTS, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 78,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear differential” (54% of reports).
- 84power train complaints
- 78,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear differential: mentioned in 45 of 84 complaints (54%)
- Loud grinding: mentioned in 5 of 84 complaints (6%)
- Metal shavings: mentioned in 5 of 84 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 37 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 84 complaints, 1 mention a crash.
Cadillac CTS power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 CTS | 3 | 30% | — |
| 2018 CTS | 3 | 38% | 12,300 |
| 2017 CTS | 9 | 33% | 51,124 |
| 2016 CTS | 9 | 29% | 30,000 |
| 2015 CTS | 20 | 42% | 79,000 |
| 2014 CTS | 84 | 58% | 78,000 |
| 2013 CTS | 13 | 18% | 27,000 |
| 2012 CTS | 4 | 6% | 65,309 |
| 2011 CTS | 22 | 22% | 46,500 |
| 2010 CTS | 9 | 13% | 41,500 |
| 2009 CTS | 28 | 17% | 59,000 |
| 2008 CTS | 21 | 12% | 83,000 |
| 2007 CTS | 33 | 15% | 80,000 |
| 2006 CTS | 45 | 17% | 41,500 |
| 2005 CTS | 82 | 30% | 28,086 |
| 2004 CTS | 52 | 23% | 20,050 |
| 2003 CTS | 25 | 8% | 28,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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. Itâs impossible to drive due to the…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2014 Cadillac CTSs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 84 owner complaints about power train for the 2014 Cadillac CTS (58% of the 146 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Cadillac CTS power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 78,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
The most frequent phrase is “rear differential”, in 45 of 84 complaints, followed by “loud grinding” (5).
See all 2014 Cadillac CTS problems or power train problems across all CTS years.