Cadillac CTS Engine Problems

659 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 4:36 PM

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

What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, Engine, Sedan

    
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#184 of 659 jleb by jleb

Jan 21, 2011 (9:12 pm)

To Mariah from Cadillac
We are owners of a 2006 Cadillac CTS. We have experienced many of the same difficulties posted in this forum. Several months ago we had a leak from our car but our local mechanic could find nothing. Having no further leaks, we continued to drive it. Over Thanksgiving the car started to hesitate slightly while driving it. This hesitation is now accompanied by a loud knocking sound. We took the car to our mechanic and heard the same bad news that so many people on these forums have heard, that we need a several thousand dollar repair to our car to fix it. After reading all the comments, it doesn't seem repairs have even helped. We were very excited to own a Cadillac but not anymore. We had previous trouble with a GM Bonneville so now we are thinking GM cars are not the way to go. We have always stuck to American made vehicles and have had better luck with Dodge and Ford.
 
I am most interested in knowing what Cadillac is doing about these engine problems. It seems these problems have been around for awhile. Guess we should have done our homework and checked with consumers about reliability of this car instead of counting on the integrity of the company to build a good product.

#185 of 659 Reply: Those of Us. . . [cdnpinhead] by crankeee

Feb 19, 2011 (8:12 am)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Jan 09, 2011 6:16 pm)
One of the most logical well written posts on the subject of oil usage, checking the dipstick and informed maintenance. The prior post that oil usage increases exponentially with age/miles is also right on point.
Relying on OnStar or the oil monitor system rather than checking the dipstick is asking for trouble as you point out clearly. $30-$40,000 for a car and the owner can't check the dipstick level- guess that's why they come out with dumb down systems that are over-relied upon.
DRIVERS: CHECK THE DIPSTICK AND GIVE THE POOR OLD ENGINE A BREAK!

#186 of 659 Re: jleb [jleb] by billpaul

Feb 21, 2011 (7:47 am)

Replying to: jleb (Jan 21, 2011 9:12 pm)
According to Consumer Reports, the CTS V6 engine has had better than average to much better than average reliability going back to 2004, as far as major problems are concerned. This is what CR subscribers have been reporting. So, these problems may be relatively uncommon.
 
The 2006 engine has been reported to have average reliability as far as minor problems are concerned (i.e. oil leaks).

#187 of 659 Re: Reply: Those of Us. . . [crankeee] by bigjohn281

Feb 21, 2011 (10:16 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Feb 19, 2011 8:12 am)
According to your thought process people smart enough to afford this car should be smart enough to check their dipsticks is comparing apples to eggs . That you would totally dismiss the actuality of this problem that has been happening to unconnected people from across the United States should tell you that there is some merit to the problem that repeatedly happens to each of these individuals . There are more people that would be complaining except for the fact that GM service advisors were able to manipulate their warranties to fix the engines that were rendered useless by no fault of their own .

#188 of 659 Re: Reply: Those of Us. . . [bigjohn281] by crankeee

Feb 22, 2011 (7:25 am)

Replying to: bigjohn281 (Feb 21, 2011 10:16 am)
BIGjohn: sorry to offend. Point was you should be able to check your dipstick regardless of the technical aids to driving. Knowing the oil level helps with avoiding a problem AND helps with diagnosis IF you do have a mechanical problem requiring professional help. Also did not mean to dismiss people's car problems since there are real issues at times. Please check post #186 on Consumer's Reports unbiased reviews of CTS V-6 engines customer reported reliability. Enjoy your car.

#189 of 659 Re: Reply: Those of Us. . . [bigjohn281] by billpaul

Feb 22, 2011 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: bigjohn281 (Feb 21, 2011 10:16 am)
I agree with crankee. Certainly our sympathy is to folks who have defective vehicles.
 
However, in the case of low engine oil levels (whether due to a common or rare defect), part of the conversation should be about the need for all of us to regularly check oil levels. That is the best way to protect ourselves from the disaster of a ruined engine.

#190 of 659 Leaking Oil by sadkitty

Mar 05, 2011 (1:37 pm)

I have read many of the messages posted here and I must say, I have had similar issues as well with my 2003 Cadillac CTS which I purchased brand new in October of 2002. I had a few issues while under warranty that I was not too concerned with as I was not responsible for the cost of the service. However, as soon as the warranty was over, the first issue was with the crank sensor. My car would die on me in traffic and would start after just a few minutes of the engine cooling down. I had it towed to the dealership where I learned what this issue was. The crank sensor was replaced at my expense. I drove the car home, (approximately 5 miles) and attempted to back it into the garage and smoke came rolling through the vents. I quickly put it in park and popped the hood and then ran. My husband came over to inspect the car and as he raised the hood, fire shot out from under the hood. Not wanting our car and house to burn to the ground, he scooped up some snow and dowsed it on the fire. I called the dealership to tell them what happened. They came to tow the car and called me later to say that the crank sensor they put it was a dud and they would fix it free of charge. Six months later the engine was leaking oil and I had all of the valve cover gaskets replaced. (At a different dealer). 13 months later it was leaking again. Now I have not heat on the drivers side. You would think that with the cost of the cadillacs, they would be built a little better. We have always changed the oil at least every 5,000 miles, since it reached 50,000 miles. Only when indicated prior to that. I am positive that my next purchase will not be a Cadillac. Any suggestions?

#191 of 659 My 2005 Cadillac engine just blew/siezed by carlamoreno

Mar 10, 2011 (1:21 pm)

I purchased this car a year ago and wish I had seen this post prior to. My engine started making a rattling sound last week so I asked my husband (who is a mechanic) take a look at it. He drove it 2 miles from our home, the noise got louder and louder right before the engine blew/seized. I'm now being told I need an entirely new engine replacement which will cost over $5k in parts & labor. Apparently Cadillac does not warranty anything prior to 2007. Just my luck. I've tried contacting them via their website with no response. I called their 800# this morning and had a heated conversation with an incompetent rep who advised that I have the car towed to the dealer for a "diagnosis". This would be at my expense, of course. I've escalated my case to a supervisor who supposedly will be in contact with me tomorrow. I am not holding my breath for any assistance from Cadillac but they at least need to be made aware of these problems. I'm not the only one obviously so I'm wondering if anyone with an 05 -06 has had any luck with recourse or repair assistance. I am extremely heart broken that my "dream car" is now a heap of non functioning metal in my driveway. I should have just stuck with my reliable old 1997 BMW which never gave me any of these problems. Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated!

#192 of 659 Re: My 2005 Cadillac engine just blew/siezed [carlamoreno] by bigjohn281

Mar 11, 2011 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: carlamoreno (Mar 10, 2011 1:21 pm)
Your only hope is if you have any kind of warranty that the dealership will manipulate to cover your problem. Service advisors will contact everyone with minor problems but don't hold you're breath waiting for them to admit that there is a defect in this engine . Stay in touch with me please.

#193 of 659 Re: My 2005 Cadillac engine just blew/siezed [carlamoreno] by pao

Mar 14, 2011 (5:13 am)

Replying to: carlamoreno (Mar 10, 2011 1:21 pm)
Carla,
 
so as I read your message..the car was 5 years old when you bought it correct, thus there would have been no warranty on the car..unless you purchased a dealer offered one or a third party warranty...GMs drive train warranty is 5 years or 100K which ever comes first which they began to offer on all GM models in 07...and their bumper to bumper on Cadillac is 4/50K if memory serves me correct how many miles where on this car when you purchased iteither way you were out of the manufacturer warranty window....as for the noise that was heard, rattle or otherwise....did you or your husband check the oil level before you drove the car further?..just curious as to why the engine seized in the first place....did it have oil in it???
 
I currently own on 09 CTS with no problems on it through 37K
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