Third generation
2014 Cadillac CTS
The most reported problem on the 2014 Cadillac CTS is drivetrain problems, with 66 complaints, usually around 70,000 miles.
- 138owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 4involved a crash
- 60,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your CTS doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2014 model year.
Is the 2014 Cadillac CTS reliable?
The 2014 Cadillac CTS has 138 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 318 for 2014 sedans on this site. Of the 5 CTS model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2014 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: drivetrain problems, named in 66 of the 138 complaints (48%). A quarter of the 46 owners who gave a mileage for drivetrain problems saw it by about 55,000 miles, and half by about 70,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 4 of the 138 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 4 reports mention a crash and 4 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Drivetrain problems, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (14V-338). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2020 at 27 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 4. So far in 2026, 6 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems, 66 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
138 complaints is 2.2 times fewer than the median 2014 model on this site and 2.3 times fewer than the median 2014 sedan. Among the 1 CTS model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2014 Cadillac CTS
Cadillac filed 2,064 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2014 Cadillac CTS. 143 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 3 bulletins · 66 complaints
This Preliminary information communicates a potential root cause for a rear axle seal leak.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear differential fluid if the rear axle has a clunk or chatter noise on turns.
1 more on this problem
CADILLAC: FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THERE IS LEAKING, ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO PINION SEAL JOURNAL HAVING LEAD ON IT, WHICH NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2013-14 ATS, CTS SEDAN. *PE
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 11 bulletins · 17 complaints
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General ...
9 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates a potential root cause for a rear axle seal leak.
Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to replace both the front suspension mounts and cups to correct a condition of a popping noise from the fron of the vehicle when traveling over bumps due to the front strut mount being torn due to ...
This informational bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure, when diagnosing vibration concerns.
This informational bulletin was created to aid the technician in diagnosing the difference between a shock or strut that has a fluid residule from a possible external source from a leaking shaft seal.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the rear lower control arm covers are loose or falling off. Technician will need to replace the push pins.
GM TAC Support of Vehicle Vibration Complaints.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 27 bulletins · 11 complaints
This service bulletin provides a procedure on how to clean and resurface aluminum wheel bead seats for vehicles that have the condition of Tire Slowly Goes Flat, Tire Air Loss, Low Tire Pressure Warning Light Illuminated, Aluminum Wheel Bead Seat Corrosion.
This service bulletin provides information on summer tire performance and tire cold weather cracking.
25 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides information on Chemical Staining, Pitting, Corrosion and/or Spotted Appearance of Chromed Aluminum Wheels.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with tire sidewall irregularities. This is a visual condition that will not affect durability, reliability or performance of the tires.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Vibration Shortly After Tires are Mounted/Preventing Vibration from Wheel Slip (Tire Sliding on Wheel).
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Tire/Wheel Characteristics (Vibration, Balance, Shake, Flat Spotting) of GM Original Equipment Tires.
This informational bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the torque converter of the crankshaft on vehicles equipped with an automatic ...
This service bulletin provides information on tire cold weather cracking and the proper techniques on taking care of the tires and proper use.
This informational bulletin explains the wheel Road Force balancers and what they can do for customer concerns.
This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on Chemical Staining, Pitting, Corrosion and/or Spotted Appearance of Chromed Aluminum Wheels.
Plus 15 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 7 bulletins · 8 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that a whine noise heard from the automatic transmission fluid pan hear with the the key on and engine off, or for up to one minute after the vehicle has been shut off should be ...
5 more on this problem
This informational bulletin provides information on Hoot, Whine, Buzz, Hiss Noise Coming from Vehicle After Engine is Shut Off and that its a normal condition and no parts should be replaced.
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have the Hazard Flashers turn on after vehicle shut down or that the Glove Box may be open when they return to their vehicle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that when the vehicle is shut off while the radio is off and the analog clock is displayed, the radio will turn back on with muted audio if the customer restarts the vehicle.
CADILLAC: SOME VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITHOUT AIR VENTS ON FRONT FASCIA LOWER GRILLETTES AND THIS CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT OFF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WHEN IT REACHES 250F UNDER CERTAIN HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING. MODEL 2014 CTS, *PE
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 13 bulletins · 6 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
11 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the customer may experience a 2-3 slip or flare after the vehicle has been sitting for a period of time.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This preliminary informational bulletin adds the 2016 model year to diagnostic tips and repair information to correct a customer concern of reduced acceleration at low speed and/or transmission slipping from a launch, DTC P0751 set.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES THE TECHNICIAN WITH THE STEPS ON REPAIRING A CLUNK NOISE AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE AND THEN ACCELERATING.
Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or transmission is slipping from a launch. Technicians may find DTC P0751 set or stored in history.
This preliminary bulletin provides a procedure to remove and inspect the clutch select solenoid valve for damage, located in the valve body to correct the customers concern of reduced acceleration at low speeds and trans slip at lauch.
Information on Driveline Clunk Noise
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 77 bulletins · 6 complaints
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Loss of Radio Audio Shortly After an OnStar In-Vehicle Voice Message Is Heard.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that intermittently the Outside Air Temperature displays dashes instead of a numeric value.
75 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Navigation radio does not have a global positioning system location but OnStar is able to accurately locate the vehicle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a radio screen appears bubbled or is delaminating.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may complain of various concerns when using Bluetooth components.
This informational bulletin provides information on On rare occasions, a security code input message with SPS error code E5659, M5304, and/or M5530 may be displayed in TIS2web when the technician is programming any module.
Plus 65 older ones not listed here.
Seat belt or seat problems 5 bulletins · 6 complaints
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPOSITION THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE FOR CONCERNS REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING OR LATCH PLATE COMING TWISTED.
This informational bulletin provides information to advise dealers about seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning light illumination, as well as difficulty latching and unlatching the buckle or the buckle release button sticking.
3 more on this problem
This preliminary bulletin provides a procedure to route the seat harness away from the back panel, to correct the customers concern of the back panel falling off.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure for the technician to test the power seats, the outside power mirriors, shorts in the wiring and the MSM, and reprogram the module if shorts weren't found, for the customers concern of the mirriors ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have the front seat back cover is falling off or does not stay on the seat back. Technician should replace the seat back cover.
Complaints filed by year
27 complaints came in 2020, 2.5 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2014 Cadillac CTS
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
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 and remedy
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.
All 6 recalls on the 2014 Cadillac CTS, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
Drivetrain problems, with 66 of the 138 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 70,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2014 Cadillac CTS problems start?
Of the 95 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 40,000 miles and half by about 60,000.
How many 2014 Cadillac CTS complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
4 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for drivetrain problems on the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 14V-338. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.