2014 Cadillac CTS transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V338000Jun 19, 201490,750 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Remedy: 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 say

1. Filed May 3, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11735366 · source
2. Filed Feb 7, 2026OKTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11716449 · source
3. Filed Jan 7, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11709498 · source
4. Filed Sep 25, 2025TXOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11689733 · source
5. Filed Sep 1, 2025TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11684317 · source
6. Filed Jul 1, 2025MIOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11670528 · source
7. Filed May 28, 2025170,000 miCTTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard an extremely loud bang, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and observed smoke coming from the rear axle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the…

   NHTSA complaint #11663372 · source
8. Filed Oct 16, 202470,000 miAZTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS A. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH she heard an abnormal sound from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded like an amplified road noise. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an intermittent sharp jarring of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was downshifting to a lower gear independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the…

   NHTSA complaint #11620123 · source
9. Filed Aug 13, 2024MOSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   I just recently purchased my Cadillac. And the rear end is going out! I literally cannot even drive it anywhere because it is about to lock up completely. It will barely go and definitely doesn't want or like to go uphill. I could hardly go 20 miles per hour when I parked it the other night. There has not been an incident yet but if I hadn't parked it, it could've locked up completely when I was going down the highway is what my mechanic friend told me. It was not bad until…

   NHTSA complaint #11608193 · source
10. Filed Jan 29, 2024CATransmission & Drivetrain

    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?

    NHTSA complaint #11568676 · source
11. Filed Dec 20, 202341,000 miWITransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11561128 · source
12. Filed Nov 14, 202384,000 miSCTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who discovered metal shavings inside in the rear differential fluid and informed the contact that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was…

    NHTSA complaint #11555008 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology