2007 Cadillac CTS Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe an air bag warning light coming on, with the passenger-side air bag shown as off, along with brake complaints in which the pedal goes to the floor or the car keeps rolling at very low speed, usually at parking-lot or driveway speeds. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 to well past 130,000 miles, and several owners describe the same symptom recurring after parts were replaced. Engine and transmission complaints are fewer but include oil consumption, timing chain noise and hard shifting.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light / passenger seat sensor

   • 64 complaints (29%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Owners describe the air bag warning light staying on after start-up, and the passenger air bag indicator on the mirror showing the air bag off whether or not the seat is occupied. Several complaints say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed the passenger seat sensor mat or sensing module as the cause, and some report the light returned after the sensor or module was replaced. A number of owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the related recall campaign despite having the same symptom. Spread from about 50,000 to 200,000 miles in the sample, with several reports also in the 23,000-90,000 mile range.

   Recall 10V644000

   What to check: Turn the ignition on and confirm the air bag light goes out, then sit in the passenger seat and check that the mirror indicator reads on. Ask whether the passenger sensing system mat was replaced under the recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The frontal passenger side airbag works through a sensor in the front seat. It senses weight applied to the seat and turns the airbag capability on for the frontal passenger airbag. My airbag light stays lit on the dash and the passenger side air bag light on the rear view mirror displays that the airbag is off whether or not the seat is occupied. The NHTSA has a campaign id # 10v644000 covering this same scenario. When calling the Cadillac dealer for my 2007 Cadillac CTS, they have no information for the NHTSA campaign number. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10381321, filed 2011-02, 74,000 miles

   “Service air bag light came on in 2021 after pss mat being replaced in 2011 recall #10355 rendering the entire air bag system ( both driver and passenger) inactive. Vehicle currently in dealership for repair for the second time for the same issue. Dealership reported both airbags inoperable while service air bag light is on creating a safety issue if vehicle is driven until repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #11394417, filed 2021-02, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feels soft or goes to the floor

   • 57 complaints (26%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $725 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling like the brakes slip, most often below about 15 mph while turning into a driveway or parking space, and sometimes at highway speed before an emergency stop. Owners say pumping the pedal, shifting to park, or holding the emergency brake was needed to stop the car. Several report the dealer could not reproduce the problem, and others describe corroded or fractured brake lines and fittings found by a shop. Reported from roughly 23,000 to 128,000 miles, most commonly in low-speed parking or turning situations.

   Recall 10V105000

   What to check: Inspect the brake lines and fittings for rust at the crimped junctions, and test the pedal in a slow, turning stop in an empty lot; ask for service records showing brake line or ABS work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was backing out of a parking space and proceeded to drive forward and to come to a stop the brake pedal went straight to the floor I almost rear ended another vehicle as I hit the emergency brake in time to stop my question is there a recall for this as it never gave warning anything was wrong on the dash or otherwise.”

   NHTSA complaint #10714137, filed 2015-05, 81,000 miles

   “While driving the car with two children inside it we approached a busy intersection and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the car did not even slow down. Pumping the brakes did not work either. We went right through the stop sign by swerving around other cars. Luckily there were no pedestrians crossing and thanks to other drivers being very alert there was no accident, but it was very close and terrifying. We allowed the car to coast to a stop and then had to push it to a side street to get out of the main roadway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10721304, filed 2015-05, 105,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and key / stalling or no-crank

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or failing to crank, the security or theft-deterrent message appearing, and the key staying stuck in the ignition after the car is shut off. Several owners report power staying on with the key removed, or the car going into a reduced-power mode, and some mention a dealer diagnosis pointing to the ignition switch or control module. A few complaints say the vehicle was not covered by the ignition recall campaign. Reports range from about 49,000 to 234,000 miles, often described as intermittent.

   Recall 14V3940002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall was completed, check that the key turns freely and releases, and make sure no extra weight hangs from the key ring.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was stationary in our home garage. It would not start, it would start when jumped but died shortly after. We had the battery tested, it was bad, we replaced w a new battery. Car started right up, but would not cut power once the key was removed from the ignition. Car dings and dash and radio are on as if keys are still in the ignition.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350298, filed 2020-08, 234,000 miles

   “On friday september 19, 2014 I received a recall (14172) letter from GM. The notice states parts are now available to repair your vehicle relating to safety and the ignition key. In addition I am instructed to call my Cadillac dealership as soon as possible to schedule a service to fix the problem. I called two dealerships on september 22, 2014, close to where I live and both reported that they had no parts and did not know when they would have them!!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10638296, filed 2014-09, 114,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and timing chain noise

   • 23 complaints (11%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners report having to add oil between changes, in some cases as often as every few hundred miles, along with a rattling or clicking chain noise, rough idle, poor fuel economy and multiple warning codes. Some complaints say the timing chain or related components were replaced but the oil use continued, and others mention a burning smell or hesitation while driving. Mostly described above 80,000 miles, with several reports between 65,000 and 180,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition, listen for chain rattle at cold start, and ask for records of oil consumption tests or timing chain service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Timing chain has been loosened and possibly ready to break. Service bulletin #11340c was issued and GM/Cadillac never contacted me for the special coverage repair. They are now refusing to assist me. While driving vehicle there was burning rubber smell and car hesitated, failed to accelerate while driving on a busy county road in danville indiana”

   NHTSA complaint #11415206, filed 2021-05, 130,000 miles

   “My oil keeps running low every 2 months and makes a loud clicking sound. Was told that my oil is burning and that they don't know why. Vehicle is in motion when it starts to jerk and starts kicking back and make knocking noise in the engine”

   NHTSA complaint #11415343, filed 2021-05, 179,900 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough or delayed shifting

   • 19 complaints (9%)
   • median 25,671 mi at 3.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2026

   Owners describe the car hesitating then accelerating hard on the first start of the day, staying in a lower gear, or failing to shift into the correct gear with the engine and brake warning lights on. Several complaints mention a vibration or clunk felt through the car, and some report the dealer rebuilt or replaced transmission or rear axle parts. Reported from about 15,000 to 150,000 miles, with several early reports under 30,000 miles.

   Recall 07V5890003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car from a cold start and note any delay before it moves off, check for clunks or vibration under acceleration, and ask for transmission fluid and service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a used 2007 Cadillac CTS in november 2009. From that time, it always hesitates with the first forward acceleration of the morning, and then has a forceful acceleration as it overcomes the hesitation/almost stalling, and then drives normally. As this was a new car for me, I thought that maybe the car needed to warm up due to the cold weather over winter. Once the temperatures increased, the car continued to experience the problem - daily. The car is at the dealer again - 5th visit since march 2010. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10331665, filed 2010-05, 25,671 miles

   “Driving approximately 65 MPH on i64 in virginia when gears locked up and lost all acceleration. Pulled off to the side and could smell a burning sensation, car then would not move. Back wheels locked up and when car attempted to be moved for a tow, entire back end rattled and grinded. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10210373, filed 2007-11, 15,300 miles

Buying note. Ask for the recall history on this vehicle year, particularly the ignition and passenger sensing system campaigns, and confirm the air bag light behaves correctly. A pre-purchase inspection that covers brake lines, oil consumption and a cold-start test drive will show most of what owners report here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.