AI Damage2017 Cadillac CT6: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Cadillac CT6 filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 639 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 26
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 639
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 65% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 17 complaints (65% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 84.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 110.
- Engine: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 65.
- Structure: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 17 | 0 | 84 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 110 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 65 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 26 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 24 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 35 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 20 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 203 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle experiences harsh shifting, surging, and jerking forward during normal driving conditions. The behavior has occurred repeatedly over several years and has been confirmed by the dealership. Multiple repair attempts, including transmission-related work, have not resolved the issue.
My CT6 had a default engine light on,.Dealer reports broken EVAP line.Car has never been in an accident or damaged.Upon inquiry dealer reports no issues known to them with this problem.However ,this same vehicle had transmission issue when purchased new and the dealer stated same findings.Then recall was issued and…
My vehicles transmission has a buzzing noise coming from the transmission oil pan and a gear shifting problem I took vehicle to Cadillac dealer whom can’t find the issue they changed the oil pan and the transmission lines . My vehicle is a 2017 Cadillac ct6 with 72027 miles .
Water is getting into my trunk where the amp is and now my radio does not work only the back up camera. I cannot control the AC or turn on the air conditioner. Or is that how I would like it to blow
These vehicles have an issue tbat GM is aware of, with their 8 speed automatic transmissions which are used in multiple GM vehicles and these cause safety issues because for instance my vehicle switches gears randomly almost causing a wreck, and shuttering, and even slipping and when this happens the cars traction…
The car is equipped with an 8-Speed Automatic Transmission which is frequently very hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The car has been to my local Cadillac Dealer twice for this problem; they reply this is a know problem, and a normal condition, but the problem is getting worse.
The tires were in very good condition and still had significant tire tread with even wear. After some research we discovered that this type of side wall tire cracking has been know to happen and even Pirelli has recalled tires for this issue.
Steering rack bound up and became extremely difficult to move, causing vehicle to leave roadway. Power assist failed and manual mode would not allow steering to left making it nearly impossible to control direction of vehicle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,141 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 46% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CT6 has 13 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 26, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
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…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This PI Addresses a possible solenoid wiring fault and how to inspect the build date to identify
- This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following…
NHTSA lists 639 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Cadillac CT6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 26. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (46%), transmission slipping (19%), hesitation when accelerating (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Cadillac CT6?
NHTSA lists 639 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Cadillac CT6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.