AI Damage2017 Cadillac CTS: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Cadillac CTS filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and steering. The maker issued 940 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 27
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 940
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 30% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 4% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 107.
- Steering: 8 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Wheels: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 175.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
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
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 6.2 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 27 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 | 9 | 0 | 107 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 26 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 49 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 175 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 103 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 35 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 313 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 130 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 32 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated while stopped at a light the rpm' s increased, the vehicle attempted to accelerate on its own. The contact stated as the brake pedal was depressed he turned of the vehicle, shifted to neutral, restarted the vehicle and was able to drive the vehicle with no more issues.
The service power steering message was displayed. The failure had occurred while the contact was in the middle of traffic. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure.
The airbag warning light appeared 45 days ago. I immediately took my 2017 Cadillac to the dealer ([dealer]). The vehicle is covered under a Sewell Extended warranty until 2028. The dealer performed troubleshooting and determined that the passenger seat sensors/module (part # 84567224 ) was defective.
The power steering went out on the vehicle. I was not driving at the time. There was a recall on these vehicles pertaining to the EPS module.
I purchased this vehicle is certified preowned Cadillac and during the warranty time I had a transmission issue that was causing the transmission to jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and at highway speeds, it would start jerking nonstop.
I never had a service engine light come on. We found out that there was a recall on this part for other Cadillac CTS vehicles but my VIN did not come up as one that has a recall. I have had my rear differential fluid serviced and changed right before 30K miles.
It is electrical power steering and I have experience from a prior experience with a 2009 pontiac g6. All these parts should of been recalled and not just a handful.
Service airbag light is coming on periodically, and, when it does, the passenger "Airbag ON" light fails to illuminate even if a passenger over 100 lbs is in the seat. This is a long recurring issue with all GM cars where the sensing pad goes bad.
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 1,125 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 46% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CTS has 19 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 27, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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 940 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Wrecked 2017 Cadillac Cts Rebuild Part 1amount per author: 2,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Cadillac CTS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, steering, wheels. Total complaints: 27. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (19%), steering or power steering problems (19%), warning lights, check engine (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA lists 940 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 CTS 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.