This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Cadillac CTS steering problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Cadillac CTS have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 47,800 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 CTS | 11 |
| 2012 CTS | 4 |
| 2013 CTS | 10 |
| 2014 CTS (this page) | 13 |
| 2015 CTS | 3 |
| 2016 CTS | 4 |
| 2017 CTS | 7 |
1crash
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Cadillac CTS in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two major steering and drivetrain hazards. Power steering fails without warning—the steering wheel locks or becomes nearly impossible to turn. One case occurred at 1,000 miles; another at 26,000 miles (costing $2,275 plus labor). One owner's steering wheel seized at various speeds and the dealership couldn't diagnose it across five visits. Power steering warning lights appear and sometimes the system comes back online after the engine sits off for several minutes, suggesting intermittent electrical issues.
The rear differential poses the graver risk. Multiple owners report it locks while driving at highway speeds or as low as 45 mph, causing the vehicle to pull hard to one side with smoking tires. One owner hit a curb. Another reports thumping noises and a burning-oil smell from the rear, with the car barely accelerating uphill—eventually refusing to move. One case involved right and left front axles breaking in succession; dealership mechanics say they've never seen such failures on a newer car.
A shifter cable detached while in motion, leaving the driver unable to determine gear or change gears safely. Owners cite recall denials based on VIN-specific eligibility, leaving them with large repair bills.
Same Cadillac CTS steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering failure / steering wheel seizure
Power steering goes out without warning, steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn or locks completely. Some owners report the failure is intermittent, reappearing after repeated engine restarts. One owner reports the steering gear experienced a short.
When: At various speeds and mileages; one case at approximately 1,000 miles; another at 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hard to turn or completely seized; Power steering warning light ('POWER STEERING. DRIVE CAREFULLY'); Loss of power steering assist without warning; Intermittent failures that recur multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pump replacement at 26,000 miles cost $2,275 for parts plus $750 labor (6 hours). Entire motor replacement cited in one case. Dealer service unsuccessful on five occasions in one complaint (failure not diagnosed or repaired).
Rear differential failure / lock-up
Rear differential breaks or locks while vehicle is in motion on highway or road. One case reports differential locked at 45 mph on a straight road, causing car to pull hard left with smoking rear tires and hitting a curb. Another notes the ELSD (electronic limited-slip differential) is on backorder for 90 days.
When: While in motion on highway or road at various speeds (45 mph, highway speeds); one case notes problem began after purchase with recent humming noise that escalated to loud thumping
Symptoms owners cite: Loud thump or thumping noise when accelerating; Humming noise from rear; Loud cranking noise from rear; Burning oil or gasoline smell from rear; Rear shaking or vibrating; Vehicle does not want to go uphill or accelerate; Vehicle pulling hard to one side with rear tires smoking
Repairs/costs cited: Rear end differential repair/replacement performed at Cadillac dealership. One complaint notes right front axle and then left axle broke in succession; diagnosed as bad differential at 84,000 miles. Parts availability issue noted—ELSD on 90-day backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for 2014 CTS-V rear differential; one owner suspects it should extend to regular CTS models. Another owner notes manufacturer denied assistance because recalls are VIN-specific and their VIN did not qualify.
Shifter selector cable detachment
Shifter selector cable detached while vehicle was in motion, causing shifter knob to move independently of the gear indicator. Vehicle became unsafe to drive because operator could not determine actual gear or change gears reliably.
When: While vehicle in motion on the street
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter knob moving but indicator stuck in wrong selection; Unable to determine what gear vehicle is in; Unable to change gears
Repairs/costs cited: Tow required to dealership. Manufacturer had recalls for this item on similar vehicles but denied assistance because recall was VIN-specific and this vehicle's VIN did not qualify. Owner left with large repair bill.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for similar vehicles but denied due to VIN-specific criteria
Front axle and suspension failure
Front axle broke while vehicle was in motion. Vehicle rattled and became very bumpy before complete immobility. When one axle was replaced and test-driven, the other axle broke. Mechanics at multiple dealerships report never seeing this type of problem on a newer vehicle.
When: At 84,000 miles; right front axle broke first, then left axle broke during test drive after right axle repair
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise; Very bumpy ride; Vehicle would no longer move; Loud noise when turning
Repairs/costs cited: Right front axle replaced; left axle then broke during test drive. Diagnosed as bad differential. Multiple dealership mechanics stated they had never seen this type of problem on a newer vehicle.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 steering problem on the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 26,000 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 47,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2014/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.