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Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Brake Problems

105 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 12:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, Cadillac CTS-V, Brakes, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 11

#48 of 105 Same CTS Brake Problem on my '06 CTS by pjlindc

Sep 19, 2010 (8:40 am)

I've reported this problem twice to my local dealership (Massey in Chantilly, VA) and they cant find a problem. Quite annoying and does not give me confidence that they are on the ball. I will call them again and print out this forum for "diagnostic purposes." My most recent trip was to perform the brake hose recall and I told them exactly what was happening (e.g., brakes rumbled and failed when cornering sharply - at low speeds - but I haven't tried cornering at HIGH SPEED because well, that's a good way to die). Yesterday, I almost coasted into traffic when pulling out of a parking lot and twice I have slid into a parking barrier. I've compensated by driving VERY slow into parking spaces and trying to come in with as little of a turn angle as possible. I'm amazed that GM is not taking this more seriously given how long this has been going on and the recent Toyota fiasco. All it will take is one reporter getting a hold of this and big time problem for GM.

#49 of 105 Same CTS Brake Problem on my '04 CTS by pmelugin

Oct 20, 2010 (8:35 am)

Replying to: pjlindc (Sep 19, 2010 8:40 am)
I have a 2004 CTS with about 80k miles and the extended warranty has run out. The car has the same braking issue, but I’ve also notice the braking issue while backing up while turning. It is sporadic, but I’m not interested in smashing into someone, even if it is at relatively low speeds. I’m going to contact the dealership, but from reading the posts, I don’t think I’ll be very successful.

#50 of 105 WTF?! by jjswetnam

Oct 21, 2010 (9:36 am)

This is absoulutely ridiculous! I have an '04 and have the exact same problem. A couple weeks ago I was about to turn at an intersection and saw a pedestrian -- my car would not stop and I actually bumped into them! They screamed and smacked my car but were luckily able to get out of the way. What if it were a child?! Or a mom with a stroller?! Or some disabled person!?
 
This is BS. I have contacted some friends here in LA that are lawyers, publicists and broadcasters and they really want to make a stink about this considering what Toyota is doing with their recalls today.
 
We may do a story in the local news and really put a fire under their asses. Fix your cars GM or the whole world will know. I'm not gonna do nothing and wait for some kid to get killed at a crosswalk.
 
You guys really need to get on the ball.

#51 of 105 PLEASE READ - how to report this issue by coastsidefog

Oct 21, 2010 (2:24 pm)

Hi all,
 
I'm sorry to hear that more people are having these same problems.
 
Eventually, we were able to find an intelligent mechanic who at this point seems to have repaired the problem (you might recall the dealership previously replaced the ECBM several times to no effect; this gentleman repaired the wiring which was either never installed correctly or made with materials that are degrading very fast, and we have not had the same issue). We attempted to bring this information to GM, as we are not the only people with this issue, but GM was uninterested in making sure that this potentially fatal flaw was reported or a repair/recall process be initiated.
 
My family was absolutely disheartened by GM's lack of response or attention to what is obviously (as all of you know) a serious matter, and while the company seemed content in its nonresponse we felt it needed to be addressed, as the potential for serious consequences with a non-stopping car is obvious.
 
So... we reported them to the NHTSB, as well as to our congressman and senator. We have been in contact with our senator and she is actively ensuring this matter is being seen by the NHTSB. So there is an open inquiry at this time. Please, if you are having this issue, report the same and note that there are other complaints currently being investigated. THE NHTSB needs a critical number of complaints, and we have found our elected officials to be very engaged. Additionally, we have been in contact with an attorney who has begun the discovery process about this issue.
 
You can report your experience directly to the NHTSB here:
     NHTSB Reporting Website
 
You can find contact information for your elected officials (who often have web forms to contact them) here:
     List of Congressional Representatives
     Senate Contacts
 
Good luck, all. Maybe if enough of us let enough people know what is happening, this issue will be addressed before a car that won't stop takes someone's life.

#52 of 105 Thank you! by jjswetnam

Oct 21, 2010 (7:42 pm)

Thanks for that link. I just filed my formal complaint. I hope the word gets out and more people go the site and file. I need my piece of mind back. Every time I drive the car I'm nervous. Every stop sign and intersection. I just want a car that stops when I press the brakes. Is that too much to ask?
 
-- I called GM customer service and filed a case. I am taking to the dealer tomorrow to fork over the $120 diagnostics fee. They claim to have never heard of this issue.

#53 of 105 Dealer... by jjswetnam

Oct 22, 2010 (4:25 pm)

So I just got a call from the dealer and he's saying the same thing as other posters. That the right wheel HUB speed sensor is bad. It's like $800 to fix, but he said it was just "something that happens". First, I'm afraid to spend the money and then it not be fixed like a bunch of other people have said. Also, I think that this is a defective (bad material) issue and GM should be taking care of this, right? This many people are having the same dangerous problem. I'm not sure what to do now. Any thoughts?

#54 of 105 Hubs, etc... by coastsidefog

Oct 22, 2010 (11:15 pm)

In my experience, the only code that has ever shown up for us is a hub speed sensor code. This is replaced (3x under warranty, 1x out of warranty). The problem seemed to resolve each time (in our case, because it was intermittent to began with) but then it quickly reappeared - ie, the car will lose brakes when attempting to stop, especially at slow (parking lot/stop sign) speeds.
 
When they actually fixed it, they told us that what had happened was the wiring harness was short-circuiting, which leads to an incorrect signal and therefore problems with the brake system (because the speed sensor/hub/ECBM is responding to a false code). Once the wiring harness was repaired, we have not had any trouble.
 
Of course, multiple attempts to urge GM to send out a message to CTS owners letting them know there is an issue with the wires/wiring harness that could cause a short-circuit which leads to incorrect information which results in the brake control module responding inappropriately and the brakes not working - that has not happened despite our best efforts.
 
That terrifies me, because one can only imagine the accident that lies ahead when (inevitably) someone's CTS has this problem in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
Good luck. I would ask the dealer to check the wiring if you proceed.
 
(PS, I am not sure where you are located, but the CA senators have opened an inquiry on this front. You might want to contact them to add your information)

#55 of 105 Thanks again! by jjswetnam

Oct 25, 2010 (11:50 am)

Thanks for the GREAT information. I am actually in CA as well. Do you happen to know which Senator it was? Feinstein or Boxer? I want to send them a letter as well. This needs to get fixed asap.
 
I really don't want to spend the $1000 to get the speed sensor fixed (I'm out of warranty) and then have it go bad again.

#56 of 105 Re: Thanks again! [jjswetnam] by coastsidefog

Oct 25, 2010 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: jjswetnam (Oct 25, 2010 11:50 am)
My pleasure ...
 
How fortuitous that you are in CA too.
 
I am working with Barbara Boxer, specifically with Eric Jose Vizcaino (Dir of Constituent Services) and his assistant, Maria Henderson. The San Francisco office is 415-403-0100, or 1700 Montgomery St, Suite 240, 94111.
 
If you wouldn't mind, you can reference the letter that Eric wrote on our behalf to David Strickland at the NHTSB (dated Oct 19 of this year). This might help them put the concerns together.

#57 of 105 Re: Thanks again! [coastsidefog] by kirstie_h HOST

Oct 25, 2010 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: coastsidefog (Oct 25, 2010 12:21 pm)
I'm curious about the inquiry - what does it cover? Is it specific to the brake issue? Or to the Cadillac CTS or Cadillac line, or GM as a whole? It'd be nice if you could explain exactly what concern it is they're seeking to address!

Messages Page 6 of 11

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