Cadillac CTS Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 6, 2026 · 111 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Cadillac CTS across 11 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (25). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic foundation” (6% of reports).

111service brakes, hydraulic complaints
—median miles at failure
21mention a crash
8mention an injury
3related recalls
16%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.

Brakes hydraulic foundation: mentioned in 7 of 111 complaints (6%)
Lines piping: mentioned in 7 of 111 complaints (6%)
Components hoses: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)
Brake hose: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?

Based on 94 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles19 · 20%

10k–25k miles19 · 20%

25k–50k miles18 · 19%

50k–75k miles17 · 18%

75k–100k miles10 · 11%

100k–150k miles10 · 11%

150k+ miles1 · 1%

How serious are the reports?

Of 111 complaints, 21 mention a crash, 8 an injury.

Cadillac CTS service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 25 complaints

n = 111 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model year	Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints	Share of that year	Median miles
2015 CTS	1	2%	74,000
2013 CTS	1	1%	8,346
2012 CTS	1	2%	130,000
2010 CTS	2	3%	21,877
2009 CTS	6	4%	525
2008 CTS	13	7%	15,034
2007 CTS	21	10%	27,675
2006 CTS	14	5%	20,000
2005 CTS	11	4%	53,000
2004 CTS	16	7%	47,750
2003 CTS	25	8%	74,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2010, with 32 complaints

n = 111 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesJun 9, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V358000 · 2,163 vehicles

Model years: 2015

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Risk: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumNov 2, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V536000 · 674 vehicles

Model years: 2012

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 cadillac cts vehicles manufactured from october 21, 2011, through october 26, 2011. These vehicles may have a condition in which the power vacuum brake boost pushrod retention nut may not be torqued to the proper specification. If the nut is not torqued to the proper specification, the nut could loosen and allow the pushrod to separate from the brake pedal.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Fix: Cadillac dealers will inspect the power vacuum brake boost pushrod retention nut, and if necessary, torque the nut to the proper specification. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 1, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 17, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V105000 · 139,131 vehicles

Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Problem: General motors has notified nhtsa of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the front brake hose fitting at the caliper may corrode due to snow or water, containing road salt or other contaminants, entering and being retained in the routing sleeve. If the fitting corrodes significantly, the brake hose-tube interface may develop a leak.

Risk: The brake hose-tube interface may rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance may occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with an abnormal hissing sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where brake fluid…
Received Nov 6, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11553853

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the AWD inadvertently deactivated, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The service brake assist, check engine, traction control, ABS, and stabili-trak warning…
Received May 11, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11521525

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to stop, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal became very difficult to depress. The failure almost caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash. The…
Received Dec 15, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11497542

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the brake lines failed. The contact stated that the brake lines were made of stainless steel. The brake lines corroded and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to two unknown independent mechanics…
Received Feb 24, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11397719

2005 cadillac cts. Consumer writes in regards to brake system repair issues. *smd the consumer stated the brake failed and essentially she lost control of the vehicle, hit a guardrail and another vehicle after bouncing off the guardrail. Prior to the accident, work was performed on the abs dash…
Received Sep 17, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10694533

Frequently asked questions

Do all Cadillac CTSs have service brakes, hydraulic problems?

No. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Cadillac CTS. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Cadillac CTS service brakes, hydraulic?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Cadillac CTS?

The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic foundation”, in 7 of 111 complaints, followed by “lines piping” (7).