Good evening, I am a owner of cts 2008 , registrated in italy . In this moment I am in romania. The car have 65.000 miles, and in Cadillac service here ( romania ), I have an error wich is p0008 ( chain chamber ). The service told me is not possible for them to cover with the guarantee this change of chain chamber . Everybody , on Cadillac forum , have told me the must change…
2007 Cadillac CTS engine problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 16 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2007 CTS has a well-documented timing chain failure pattern starting around 28,000 miles that can escalate to catastrophic engine damage with fire hazard; GM's Special Coverage 11340 for 10-year warranty exists but owners report denial or exclusions in international markets and edge cases. Multiple other engine issues—oil consumption, stalling, misfires, and gasket leaks—compound reliability concerns, and warranty disputes with closed dealerships and insurance companies have left owners stranded.
Timing chain failure dominates complaints on this engine. Owners report the chain deteriorating as early as 28,000 miles, with some experiencing catastrophic failure at 39,000 or 111,000 miles. Early warning signs include ticking or rattling from the engine; some owners got no warning at all before the chain snapped. Failure can trigger fire in the engine compartment or sudden stalling. GM issued Special Coverage 11340 (effective Nov 2012) for timing chain wear on a 10-year, unlimited-mileage basis, but owners report inconsistent coverage decisions—especially for vehicles sold outside the U.S., for cars near the 10-year cutoff, and when the dealership that sold the vehicle has closed. One owner's chain failed immediately after the dealer performed a timing chain tensioner recall, creating a catch-22.
Beyond the timing chain, owners report other engine maladies: excessive oil consumption requiring frequent top-ups despite no oil gauge, hesitation or near-stalling on cold starts that multiple dealer visits couldn't fix, unexpected shutdowns at low speed, cylinder misfires, and at least two instances of fire in the engine bay. One owner kept a lifetime powertrain warranty but was denied a claim because the selling dealership went out of business. The 2007 CTS engine track record suggests checking maintenance history, timing chain service status, and special coverage eligibility before purchase.
Same Cadillac CTS engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain Wear / Failure
Timing chain deteriorates and fails, often without warning. Some owners heard rattling or ticking before failure. Owners report GM Special Coverage 11340 (effective Nov 5, 2012) is supposed to cover timing chain wear for 10 years, but coverage disputes occur, especially for vehicles outside the U.S. and those near or past warranty cutoff dates. One owner's timing chain failed immediately after dealer performed timing chain tensioner recall service.
When: Varies widely: 28,000 miles to 111,000+ miles; some failures early in ownership after purchase as used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or ticking noise from engine; Check engine light illuminated (P0008 reported); Loud booming noise before failure; Fire and smoke from exhaust and engine; Timing chain warning message displayed; Engine will not start after recall service
Codes mentioned: P0008
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement required. At least one owner reports GM performed replacement under special coverage; others were denied coverage or charged for repair despite warranty claims. One owner paid out-of-pocket at independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special Coverage 11340 / 11340C (timing chain wear, 10 years from original date of purchase, per Nov 5, 2012 bulletin); some owners report coverage denial based on international sales, dealership closure, or warranty expiration technicalities. One owner experienced timing chain failure immediately post-recall service.
Engine Catastrophic Failure / Bearing Damage
Engine suddenly seized or suffered catastrophic internal damage, with loud noises, smoke, and fire preceding complete failure. Two owners reported fire in engine compartment. One owner reports engine 'blew' upon startup at dealership tow-in. No warnings (check engine light did not illuminate) in several cases despite rapid failure.
When: 38,991 miles; seizure happened during highway driving at cruising speed without prior symptoms
Symptoms owners cite: Loud booming noise from engine; Fire and smoke from engine compartment and rear exhaust; Engine seized or 'blew'; No check engine light warning prior to failure; Rattling chain sound from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement or major repair required. One owner with lifetime powertrain warranty was denied coverage because dealership closed and warranty company/GM denied responsibility.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed one owner this was 'a known failure.' No manufacturer assistance reported; warranty coverage disputes and denial cases documented.
Hesitation / Stalling on Initial Acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or nearly stalls on first forward acceleration after sitting (often in morning), then overcomes hesitation with forceful acceleration and drives normally afterward. Problem persists daily regardless of temperature. Multiple dealer visits (up to 5) failed to resolve issue. One dealer found worn timing belt; another found erratic throttle actuator signals; connectivity errors cited. No lasting fix achieved.
When: Occurs daily on first acceleration after vehicle is at rest; reported on 2007 model purchased used in Nov 2009
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation on initial forward acceleration; Nearly stalls then forceful overacceleration; Problem recurs daily; Erratic throttle response
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced throttle actuator terminals (circuit #581 & #582) and replaced worn timing belt. Neither repair resolved problem. Dealer escalated to district level and GM engineer involvement was pending per complaint date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealer visits; erratic signal from TAC (throttle actuator) module identified; GM engineer escalation was in progress at time of complaint.
Engine Oil Consumption / Oil Gauge Absence
Vehicle exhibits excessive oil consumption and revving noise during acceleration despite adequate oil level. Owner reports vehicle lacks oil gauge, making it difficult to detect low oil without audible warning. Multiple owners on internet forums report this as common problem on this model/year. Speculation about lawsuit leading to gauge reintroduction in newer models, but no confirmation provided.
When: Occurred early in ownership; persisted regardless of oil level checks
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revving up during acceleration; No oil gauge on dashboard; Excessive oil consumption (owner burned through oil requiring frequent top-ups); Oil burning smell implied
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change recommended by OnStar analysis. Owners report carrying oil in trunk as workaround. No factory repair for consumption issue identified.
Oil Pan Gasket Leak
Fuel leaking from oil pan gasket, discovered during engine inspection. Ticking noise prompted inspection. No warning indicators present.
When: 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking noise from engine; Fuel leaking from oil pan gasket
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan gasket replacement diagnosed as necessary by independent mechanic; vehicle not repaired per narrative.
Cylinder Misfire (Cylinder 2)
Service engine warning light remained illuminated while driving at various speeds. Diagnostic revealed misfire in cylinder 2.
When: 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service engine warning indicator illuminated; Cylinder 2 misfire detected
Repairs/costs cited: Code cleared by independent mechanic; vehicle not repaired.
Unexpected Engine Shutdown
Vehicle shut off without warning while driving at moderate speed. Failure occurred on five separate occasions early in ownership. Dealer could not reproduce the problem.
When: 2,000 miles; current mileage 11,998 at time of complaint (Sept 2007)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off without warning while driving; Occurs at 40 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; dealer unable to duplicate.
Transmission / Shifting Failure with Brake Warning
Vehicle starts but fails to shift into correct gear and brake warning indicator illuminates. Dealer diagnosed radiator and hoses as needing replacement; repair was performed but failure recurred.
When: 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Failure to shift into accurate gear; Brake warning indicator illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator and hoses replaced; problem recurred after repair.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Engine light on dashboard warned that there was a problem. After investigation it was clear that the timing chain had to be replaced. This was carried out without any courtesy from import-organization or dealer. After 28,000 miles? Unbelievable. It cost me a lot of money. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle would start, but failed to shift into the accurate gear and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Cadillac CTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 38,911 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 69,690. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,911; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Cadillac/CTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.