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Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Brake Problems
tetedepierre
Member Posts: 62
My March build 2004 with 1SC equipment group began having a mild brake problem at about 6000 miles. (I purchased the car in July). It stopped OK no problem there, but the brakes just felt sort of spongy. Eventually I realized that if I exerted enough pressure over time I could force the pedal to the floor.
The service writer tried to convince me that this was normal but finally suggested that I try another CTS and I would see it was the same. So I did and it wasn't. Long story short there is a service bulletin 030525009A which deliniates the proper way to bleed the brakes to eliminate this behavior. They did this and problem solved. Also the windshield wipers were chattering in any condition except a blinding rainstorm a condition I have only encountered on GM cars. They replaced them and chattering has stopped.
One thing I like about the CTS is the dealer is 12 miles 15 minutes from my house and so far has been very good. The closest Lexus dealer is about 75 miles away. Everyone says how good the Lexus is. In my case it could never be good enough.
The service writer tried to convince me that this was normal but finally suggested that I try another CTS and I would see it was the same. So I did and it wasn't. Long story short there is a service bulletin 030525009A which deliniates the proper way to bleed the brakes to eliminate this behavior. They did this and problem solved. Also the windshield wipers were chattering in any condition except a blinding rainstorm a condition I have only encountered on GM cars. They replaced them and chattering has stopped.
One thing I like about the CTS is the dealer is 12 miles 15 minutes from my house and so far has been very good. The closest Lexus dealer is about 75 miles away. Everyone says how good the Lexus is. In my case it could never be good enough.
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There are several Cadiilac dealers close by for me to choose from, which is nice. Luckily for me, the Lexus dealer is a half mile down the road from the closest Cadillac dealer, so both are very accessible. I just visited my lexus dealer in fact to buy a set of all weather floor mats. Winter is coming and I'd hate to get thsoe nice carpeted mats all messed up with snow and slush. The dealer had the set specifically made for my GX right in stock.
Regarding the windshield wiper chattering. I encountered the same problem on several Corvettes that I owned and could never figure out what the reason was. I finally did. I had been using a fancy glass cleaner on it specifically designed for auto glass. It must have made the window just a bit less slippery when wet, resulting in the chatter. I began to have the problem on my CTS, and then for the heck of it tried regular Windex for cleaning my windshield, and before long, no more chatter. It was that fancy auto glass cleaner that was causing it all along.
Wow the posting has really dropped off and is heading in a negative direction
I have an 03 CTS and had the tires replaced at 18K miles due to a "Goodyear" recall. It was not a Cadillac recall, Cadillac just handled the recall for Goodyear.
Currently my CTS has 32K miles on the replacement tires and the tread looks good for at least another 20K.
The Goodyear tires on my CTS make noise on concrete pavement. Sometimes it depends on how the pavement has been "grooved" for traction and water runoff. They do not make the noise on asphalt pavement.
The CTS has been my wife's daily driver for over four years and has been an exceptional vehicle with only a few small problems, which were taken care of by Cadillac under warranty.
Although retirement limits my spending somewhat, I will buy a next generation CTS when it's time to trade this one in.
The tires on my CTS had arrows showing the direction in which the treads should run. In my book that means they are "directional tires" I am not sure what it means in your book.
As far as the recall on the tires, I never stated that it was a Cadillac recall, I just stated that there was a recall and that a Cadillac Service Center replaced the 4 tires.
I did check my CTS and there are no arrows. Infact, the tirerack web page has a picture and I still don't see an arrow, but maybe I need to change my contact lens prescription.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic.jsp?sidewall=Blackwall&tireMake=Goodyear&ti- reModel=Eagle+RS-A
Anyway, I'm sorry that you had a problem with your tires. I'd go back to the dealer and complain.
Is this a normal problem on the CTS?
My Cadillac dealer always tries selling me service I don't think I need, this past time nitrogen filled tires. I tend to be a skeptic now.
recently had a brake service done....fluid flush, two rotors replaced...pads all around and turn the rear rotors.....was just under $500.....for an 04 Chevy Malibu Maxx...at my local mechanic
Its not a fun problem. My wife never drove the 2006 again after it did it and she almost hit a pole and they said there was no problem. She has a BMW now and loves it. Good luck.
Mariah GM Customer Service
At this point, it looks as though they may force me into a course of action that I really don't want to pursue. My requests to them have been simple: either fix the car, give me certification that it is safe, or take it back. Fear a long process from here.
Has the dealership fixed the other concerns on the vehicle? What I can do is have an agent look into this for you. In order to do that I will need the VIN, dealership, current mileage, and contact information. You can private message me all the information. Please also include when all the concerns did happen, and how long they have been going on for. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
I just drove the car in circles hitting the brakes and it kept doing it about every forth time around. All the ABS problem codes it logged right together showed a problem and that is why they did something.
Try that. I leased a 2010 last week, Red, It's a beautiful car and is still the most car for the money.
We'll see how it goes.
Good Luck.
The left wheel front hub/bearing/speed sensor on our CTS was replaced 4 times with the same issue (only found this out when we went over the records). Finally after the dealer recommended we do it a 5th time we pushed and now it sounds like it has been the computer all along. GM refuses to reimburse us for the 4 previous times or the computer (which failed under 20,000 miles while under warranty) because my in-laws were the original owner. If anyone can offer any ideas or help, would be much appreciated. I have been ridiculously disappointed by my Cadillac experience.
ctsken, sounds like that makes 3 cars at least.
I am so glad to see you here and I hope you can talk some sense into your company.
We have been dealing with our dealership and GM directly and honestly it seems like they could care less. Despite the fact that one can find multiple reports of brake failure on the CTS at slow speeds in these circumstances and despite the fact that no repair seems to fix it (pointing toward a faulty computer from the beginning), we can't seem to get anyone to take this seriously.
I am paying for a new computer out of my own pocket because GM has no interest in fixing this problem and we are out of warranty, but even that I don't have a guarantee will fix things. But I have reported this to the NHTSA (last time the brakes failed after replacing the hub and having the dealer tell me it should be fine there were children in front of me) and I hope that they can look into this issue before there is a loss of life on the back of GM's inaction. I just want the company to take these complaints more seriously than they seem to at this time.
Thank you.
I apologize for the concerns that you have with your vehicle. Do you have a case number with GM? If so, what is the case number? Has the issue occurred after the dealership fixed your vehicle? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service.
I do have a case number but would prefer not to release any information on the internet. I have set up a temporary email accoun (mopheuot@temporaryemail.net)t. If you mail me there, I will respond to a direct line/email to you.
Yes, we have a case number. The issue has recurred after four separate fixes at 2 different dealerships. The code is always somewhat nonspecific. In my own research on this issue it is clear that other CTS's are having the same problem. I am paying for the computer replacement out of pocket (GM told us it couldn't do anything because we are not the original owner and it is past the warranty period. This did not sit well with the original owner (we are related) given that they weren't even clearly told about the first 3 repairs), but it seems obvious to me that GM needs to look at this issue more closely before someone has a serious accident due to brake failure. That seems like no-brainer to me and I've been surprised about the lukewarm response.
Please email me.
I'm not sure if you got my previous message. I am still interested in speaking with you.
To answer your question, YES, the issue recurred each time the hub was repaired, for a total of 4 replacements where the dealer said the code was clear and within a short time the problem with the brakes recurred.
We just paid nearly $2K to replace the EBCM and I am hoping this fixes it (and honestly, feeling a little concerned that that was the problem all along. Interestingly, this time too the dealer's advice was to replace the hub until we pressed harder about why it would keep failing and they decided we should replace the computer instead).
We won't be keeping this car, but I do want to make sure someone at GM is following the brake issue as it seems from my research that other CTS's from this time period have also had the brake failure issue, and we're all just lucky noone has been seriously injured at this point. My car didn't stop in a school parking lot. I am very lucky no students were around.
If you are still able to speak to me, please let me know how to contact you.
Thank you.
I apologize I didn't get back to you sooner. I just saw your email. This is usually the best way to contact me is through my email. So did the fix take care of the issue? Or, is the concern still present after the computer fix? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
This car has been showing a "Service Brake Assist" message along with ABS light, and having intermittent brake difficulties, since the first year of the car. The left front hub has been placed four times now, which was supposed to fix the problem but obviously hasn't. On the advice of GM, earlier this month we replaced the EBCM (almost $2000) and the dealer was certain this would fix the problem. They drove the car and could not replicate the problem. The brakes have intermittently still felt funny, and again today the car is showing the same "Service Brake Assist" message that has been a source of concern since the first 20,000 miles.
Our family is done with GM (despite a 50 year history). So there is nothing you can really do for us. What I would like to have, however, is some assurance that GM will be responsible enough to take a look at the CTS's from this time period, as we have found other owners who have had the same issue and met with the same inability and/or reluctance to repair it. You need to take this seriously. I was in a school parking lot when the brakes failed and we are all very lucky that no child was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know if it were my company, I would not want that on my back.
Thank you.
I understand that you want to keep your information private. My email is socialmedia@gm.com
Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
They had their "independent" engineer come look at the vehicle and determine no evidence of "defect". Offered to do nothing, then sent me a nasty form letter stating that they have no liability or responsibility for my claim of damages. I have no claim of damages?!
I want a safe car that stops and is still under warranty. I want them to fix it or issue a statement that there is no problem. See their commercial claiming they are no longer 'Government Motors", nice try at rebuilding your image. I live in the rust belt, I have always bought American and have purchased 4 new GM vehicls since 01, all financed with GMAC, never missed a payment. I was getting 2 more this year. I will never buy another new GM vehicle, and will probably switch to foreign automaker. Good luck rebuilding that image GM.
By the way, Mariah's job in customer assistance is to get nothing done, whether she knows it or not. They are very good at their job at customer assistance.
I apologize your outcome wasn't a better one. However, I did publicly post to you on April 1st, and requested more information from you and I never got a response. Again, I apologize for you inconvenience and frustration. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Please keep me posted on how the fix goes. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
This is BS. I have contacted some friends here in LA that are lawyers, publicists and broadcasters and they really want to make a stink about this considering what Toyota is doing with their recalls today.
We may do a story in the local news and really put a fire under their asses. Fix your cars GM or the whole world will know. I'm not gonna do nothing and wait for some kid to get killed at a crosswalk.
You guys really need to get on the ball.
I'm sorry to hear that more people are having these same problems.
Eventually, we were able to find an intelligent mechanic who at this point seems to have repaired the problem (you might recall the dealership previously replaced the ECBM several times to no effect; this gentleman repaired the wiring which was either never installed correctly or made with materials that are degrading very fast, and we have not had the same issue). We attempted to bring this information to GM, as we are not the only people with this issue, but GM was uninterested in making sure that this potentially fatal flaw was reported or a repair/recall process be initiated.
My family was absolutely disheartened by GM's lack of response or attention to what is obviously (as all of you know) a serious matter, and while the company seemed content in its nonresponse we felt it needed to be addressed, as the potential for serious consequences with a non-stopping car is obvious.
So... we reported them to the NHTSB, as well as to our congressman and senator. We have been in contact with our senator and she is actively ensuring this matter is being seen by the NHTSB. So there is an open inquiry at this time. Please, if you are having this issue, report the same and note that there are other complaints currently being investigated. THE NHTSB needs a critical number of complaints, and we have found our elected officials to be very engaged. Additionally, we have been in contact with an attorney who has begun the discovery process about this issue.
You can report your experience directly to the NHTSB here:
NHTSB Reporting Website
You can find contact information for your elected officials (who often have web forms to contact them) here:
List of Congressional Representatives
Senate Contacts
Good luck, all. Maybe if enough of us let enough people know what is happening, this issue will be addressed before a car that won't stop takes someone's life.
-- I called GM customer service and filed a case. I am taking to the dealer tomorrow to fork over the $120 diagnostics fee. They claim to have never heard of this issue.