Cadillac CTS

On certain vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear housing may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. The resulting increase in steering effort could create the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the mounting bolts and apply a corrosion protection coating to the gear housing and bolts. If the bolts bolt cannot be removed, a replacement steering gear will be installed.

On certain vehicles, the chassis electronic module may have been contaminated at time of manufacture, which could cause an electrical short to occur within the module. This could cause the vehicle's check engine light to be displayed, or cause the engine to fail to start or stall, resulting in a loss of motive power. If the vehicle is equipped to support electric trailer brakes, the vehicle could also lose trailer brake function and display a "Service Trailer Brake System" indicator. These issues could increase the risk of a crash resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the module with a revised part.

On certain vehicles, there is a risk that some drivers may bump the ignition key with their knee and unintentionally move the key from out of the "run" position. If this were to occur, engine power, power braking and power steering would be affected, which would unexpectedly increase steering and brake pedal effort, potentially increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. The timing of the key movement out of the "run" position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers are to remove the key blade from the original flip key/transmitter assemblies provided with the vehicle, and provide two new keys and two key rings for every original key. Important note: Until the correction is performed, drivers should adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.

On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may not be fully seated on the shifter and/or transmission bracket. If the cable were to detach, the driver may not be able to select a different gear position, or place the transmission in the PARK position. If the driver cannot place the vehicle in the PARK position and exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and ensure the cable is fully seated at the transmission and at the shifter bracket.

On certain vehicles, the brake booster pushrod retention nut may not have received adequate tightening torque during vehicle assembly. As such, the nut could loosen, allowing the pushrod to separate from the brake pedal assembly. This could result in a loss of brake function, which could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the pushrod retention nut and, if necessary, torque the nut to specification.

On certain vehicles, repeated flexing of the Passenger Sensing System mat in the front passenger seat may cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger airbag could become disabled. If the airbag becomes disabled, the passenger airbag status indicator on the rearview mirror will show that the airbag is OFF, the AIR BAG indicator will be illuminated, and a SERVICE AIR BAG message will appear in the Driver Information Centre. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injuries to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the Passenger Sensing System mat and the seat cushion in the front passenger seat of vehicles built between December 8, 2003 and August 31, 2004, as well as those built from June 6, 2005 to Feb 18, 2007. Owners of other 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles will be provided with a "special warranty coverage". Should this issue occur, GM will repair these vehicle free of charge up to 10 years or 192,000 km from first vehicle registration.

On certain vehicles, originally sold, or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the front brake hose fitting at the caliper may corrode. If the fitting corrodes significantly, the internal brake hose-tube interface may develop a leak or in some cases break, causing a sudden increase in braking distances which may lead to a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace both front brake hose assemblies.

On certain vehicles, the drive axle differential seal may leak (note that all-wheel drive vehicles have two seals). Reduced lubrication may cause the differential to become noisier. Continued use may cause damage to bearings and other differential components. Three conditions could occur: 1). When the vehicle is stopped and shifted to reverse, the differential may jam and prevent vehicle movement. 2). the damage can cause drag that will feel like the parking brake is applied; or 3) the differential could jam and lock the drive wheels while the vehicle is underway. Should the latter occur, it could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash, causing injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the drive axle differential seal(s).

On certain vehicles, fuel starvation may cause the engine to stall when fuel level is less than ¼ tank. This condition occurs without the illumination of the Fuel Level Low indicator light or the warning chime. If the engine stops running, the operator may not be able to restart the vehicle. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Control Module (ECM) with new software that will compensate for fuel that has been transferred to the left side of the "saddle" design fuel tank.

Certain vehicles were produced with lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers made of the wrong steel material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible and may occur without prior indication to the vehicle operator. If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel's hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will install a new nut and washer, and if required, replace the ball stud and/or steering knuckle.

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 225 and 210.2. The Owner's Manual does not include the location symbols for the Lower Universal Anchorage System for Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions and an explanation of the meaning of the symbols. Correction: Owner's will receive an Owner's Manual supplement.