2015 Cadillac CTS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
55,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 47 complaints (31.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 27.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Power Train: 15; Unknown Or Other: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 7; 2021: 5; 2022: 11; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10817325 · 2016-01-01 (January 1, 2016)
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, LEFT OR RIGHT, OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOUD METAL-ON-METAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TWICE TO MCGUIRE CADILLAC WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO FIX AT THIS TIME." I HAVE CONTACTED CADILLAC HEADQUARTERS NUMEROUS TIMES AND, UNFORTUNATELY, NO ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN GIVEN. ON DECEMBER 30, 2015, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE RIGHT LANE OF A HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE VEERED ACROSS TO THE LEFT ACROSS THREE LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DID A 36…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10817325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944214 · 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734679 · 2015-07-17 (July 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 35 TO 45 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PERIOD OF ACCELERATION BRIEFLY OCCURRED THEN THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSES FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION (TCN). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10734679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11372526 · 2020-11-01 (November 1, 2020)
I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE REAL AXLES BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH. NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL AND I WANT ANSWERS, AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME LAST NIGHT. THIS OCCURRED IN BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN ON M66 SOUTH
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11279773 · 2019-11-13 (November 13, 2019)
FLORIDA RESIDENT, BUT A SPEND SUMMER IN WYOMING. I LEAVE MY 2 CARS IN MY FLORIDA GARAGE FOR THE SUMMER. GARAGE IS NOT A/C SO IT GETS HOT. THIS YEAR WHEN I RETURNED, I NOTICED MY CADILLAC CUE SYSTEM WAS NOT RESPONDING WHEN I TOUCHED THE SCREEN. THE CUE SYSTEM CONTROLS ALMOST ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. THE CUE SYSTEM WOULD BE OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND THEN IT WOULD FREEZE OR LOCK UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT WOULD CHANGE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. FOR EXAMPLE IT WOULD; 1) PROGRAM CURRENT RADIO STATION …
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11279773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11615828 · 2024-09-22 (September 22, 2024)
The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11615828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11073303 · 2018-02-16 (February 16, 2018)
MY CAR WAS PARKED ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. I USED MY REMOTE START AND WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR WITH MY 14 MONTH OLD SON ONLY 3-4 MINUTES LATER, MY CAR WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. I COULD SEE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD BUSTED AND THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DEEMED THE HEATED SEATS AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11073303 at NHTSA ↗