CADILLAC Complaints

Just got the call from the dealership BAYWAY Cadillac of The Woodlands that the L87 V-8 engine recall failed inspection and the engine will need to be replaced.

My driver side door is unable to open due to the pressure pad. This is a known problem to Cadillac. I have already had to have 2 door handles replaced on the passenger side. It is unsafe to not be able to enter the driver seat of your vehicle in an emergency.

Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and common problem for this make, year and model and the cost to fix the problem is very expensive. This issue has been reported by many Cadillac owners on their forum. My mechanic confirmed the problem with the thermostat caused the steering assist is reduced message, along with the air conditioning malfunctioning.

The computer or electrical box to steer keeps shorting out and the vehicle us unable to turn.

Failed transmission--April 16, 2026 I was backing out of my garage when I heard a very loud bang noise and it stopped my car instantly. I thought I had hit something but I did not. On may 22, 2026. I stopped at a red light a few cars back but when the light changed the car would not go as it hesitated a few seconds (maybe 15) like it was not going to drive off but it did. On May 23, 2026, I was going up the driveway from my sisters house and again the very very loud bang noise and it stopped instantly. This time it pushed me toward the steering wheel, if I had been going a little faster I think the air bag would have popped out. This time the flasher come on like someone pulled out or I was going to hit something. I was told by the Cadillac service person that they would drive it cold today(May 26, 2026) and see if anything happens. Well I am not driving this car 55 miles per hour and it stops instantly maybe killing me and others on the road. I think this is a safety problem. I love my Cadillac but I do not want to die in it.

While driving my 2020 Cadillac CT5 at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous total loss of motive power. The transmission completely failed without warning, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard as I was forced to navigate across multiple active lanes of high-speed highway traffic without acceleration.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership. The technician's diagnostic inspection confirmed that the internal transmission pump drive gear completely shattered, sending catastrophic metal debris throughout the entire transmission system. The dealership has recommended a total transmission system replacement.This internal pump gear failure is a documented cascade consequence of a manufacturing defect in the Transmission Control Valve Body, which causes severe internal fluid pressure drops. This specific transmission defect is subject to GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and NHTSA Campaign Number 25V148 / GM Recall N242480630. The defective valve body starved the transmission of pressure, directly destroying the pump gear at highway speeds and putting my life in danger.

Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8L90 transmission from GM is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.

I am filing this safety complaint regarding my 2025 Cadillac Optiq with approximately 6,500 miles. On May 25, 2026, during rainy/wet road conditions, the vehicle failed to stop normally on two separate occasions while I was approaching stop signs at low speed. I was driving cautiously and was not speeding due to the rain. During the braking events, the vehicle displayed an “ABS Active” message/indicator, but the vehicle did not decelerate or stop as expected. I had to continue attempting to brake, and the vehicle traveled farther than it should have before stopping. This happened twice in the same day under wet conditions. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection at the time, so no crash or injury occurred. However, if another vehicle or person had been present, this could have resulted in a serious collision or injury. I checked the NHTSA and Cadillac/GM VIN recall lookup and did not see an active recall listed for my VIN. However, I am aware of public information regarding a GM/Cadillac service update involving the Brake System Control Module and reduced deceleration during low-speed ABS braking events. I am concerned that my vehicle may have a braking/ABS defect or brake control module software issue. I do not currently feel safe driving the vehicle until it is inspected. I am requesting that this issue be investigated because the vehicle displayed ABS activity but did not stop normally during low-speed braking in wet conditions.

I put the car in reverse and released the parking brake. The car started to move backwards. However, the back passenger door was wide open, and the passenger was standing outside the car in the path of the open door. The door hit a guide wire running from the top of a power pole to the sidewalk beside the car. The wire pulled the door backwards, destroying it. This was fortunate. Without the wire in the way, I would’ve had not heard the crashing of the door and would have continued to drive over the person standing beside the car as the passenger door knocked him down. The indicator that the door was still open is so small on the gauge cluster that I couldn’t see that the door was still open when I put the car into reverse. There was no audible warning that I was about to move before all doors were closed, and the emergency braking didn’t stop the car from moving. The passenger’s leg got pushed sideways under the open door. Had the guidewire not pulled the door backwards and caused so much noise that I stopped, the door would’ve broken the passenger’s leg and potentially pushed him under the rear passenger side tire.

The exterior lighting does not light up as warranted. It is impossible to see at night due to the lack of lighting from the headlights. The problem was confirmed with the dealership, however I was told to replace the bulbs which I had done. Replacing the bulbs did not fix the issue so I went back to the dealership and told them again. I was told I would have to replace the entire headlight unit in order for the exterior lights to work properly and that I would have to pay for it. It is extremely dangerous to myself and others if I’m driving at nite and I cannot see anything. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure of the headlights.