WHEN I ACCELERATED THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO REV WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE I WAS NOT MOVING. RPM CONTINUED TO GO UP BUT NO POWER. OTHER TIMES A VIG BUMP IS FELT WHEN I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS FOR A KOMENT AND WHEN I PLACE IT BACK ON TO ACCELERATE THE BIG BUMP IS FELT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO CADILLAC SEVICE TWICE AND BOTH TIMES TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED B…
2016 cadillac CTS powertrain problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Torque converter shudders and jerks abruptly. There’s trouble slowing down at times and it has a difficult time shifting up or shifting down i gears.
CAR HAS JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY. PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHEN I GOT IT BACK I COULD HEAR A YANG YANG NOISE LIKE I HAD A BAD TIRE, IN THE MEAN TIME ON STAR SENT A NOTICE THAT THE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD AT ANY SPEED. SO NOW I HAVE TO SPEND $4000 FOR CAR REPAIRS FOR A CAR NOT QUITE 3 YEARS OLD? NEED A BREAK, DISCOUNT OR …
A known issue. “Clutch slow to fill” is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be…
I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty an…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 cadillac CTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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