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Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Brake Problems

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

You are in the Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Forum.

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

Messages Page 7 of 12

#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!

#58 of 105 Inquiry by coastsidefog

Oct 25, 2010 (2:26 pm)

Cadillac CTS only as far as I know. Looking into what appears to be a faulty wiring harness that is shorting out, resulting in inappropriate signal/code (the car thinks it needs a new hub speed sensor, but according to the mechanics we have consulted, that repair doesn't work bc it is actually a short occurring in the wiring). When the car gets the wrong reading the brakes will intermittently not work at slow speeds.
 
We are asking (now that there are multiple reports of the same event) that Cadillac send this information to CTS owners so that they can replace the fault (pretty simple repair) before a brake failure results in serious injury. We would like to prevent this accident from occurring.

#59 of 105 Update... by jjswetnam

Oct 26, 2010 (4:37 pm)

So I spoke with someone at GM again. A district representative. She offered to pay 10% of the repair cost. She guaranteed me that it was the speed sensor. I also spoke with the dealer service tech and specifically asked him about wire harness and shorting out, etc. He also guaranteed me that it was a bad speed sensor. I also called the Senator's office and left word with Eric about my concerns.
 
So should I just pay the $800 and get the speed sensor replaced or wait? Again, I don't want to spend the money and then have the problem come back. I don't want to let GM off the hook by paying for what is obviously a dangerous defect. And I also don't want to drive a car that doesn't stop!
 
Any advice?

#61 of 105 Re: Update... by coastsidefog

Oct 26, 2010 (7:51 pm)

I'm not sure what to tell you. We had the same experience ("guaranteed" it was the speed sensor) and yet the speed sensor was replaced 4 separate times. The 5th time, we refused to authorize the repair. They looked at it again and got new codes, related again to the speed sensor. We spoke with the dealership about our concerns of replacing the same part for a fifth time. Eventually we spoke with the head mechanic and he looked more closely and recommended we fix the wiring.
 
It could be in your case that the speed sensor is failing, or it could be the wiring, or both. The speed sensor replacements did seem to repair the problem temporarily, but since the braking issue was always intermittent it is hard to know for sure.
 
I know if they do replace your speed sensor and the problem reoccurs they may need to try to repair again and it would be covered under the warranty for the first repair.
 
I can't tell you what to do, but I would definitely keep good records

#62 of 105 Try Again by pjlindc

Oct 27, 2010 (10:55 am)

So I took my '06 CTS in for the third time in the last year for this problem and I printed out a few of the posts from this forum to help diagnose the problem. My warranty expired about 30 days ago, but the folks at Moore Cadillac are solid citizens and covered it anyway since I had reported the problem previously. They diagnosed it as a defective Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) and replaced it. Unfortunately, I just pulled into my driveway and was greeted by the dreaded brake rumble and service brake assist warning. Ughh. Back to the drawing board.

#63 of 105 Re: Try Again [pjlindc] by gmcustsvc

Oct 29, 2010 (7:18 am)

Replying to: pjlindc (Oct 27, 2010 10:55 am)
pjlindc,
Good morning, I would like to look into this for you. Would please e-mail me with your contact information, VIN, current mileage, and when this problem started. I look forward to your response.
Christina

Messages Page 7 of 12

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