2004 Cadillac CTS Power Train:driveline:differential Unit Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · data through 07/14/2026

32Power Train:driveline:differential Unit complaints

14.3%Of all 224 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train:driveline:differential unit ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34 · 15.2%

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT32 · 14.3%

SERVICE BRAKES21 · 9.4%

AIR BAGS18 · 8%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12 · 5.4%

Share of the 224 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Cadillac CTS overview page.

What owners report

“I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS. THE MOST RECENT IS WITH MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE LATEST PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL PROMPTED…”NHTSA complaint 10479636 — filed 10/10/2012

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE UNSTABLE. INSTABILITY…”NHTSA complaint 10284255 — filed 09/17/2009

“2004 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON THE 2004-2005 CADILLAC CTS-V. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT…”NHTSA complaint 10238290 — filed 08/15/2008

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have power train:driveline:differential unit problems?

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Cadillac CTS: 32 of 224 complaints on file (14.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Cadillac CTS have in total?

224 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 25 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 25 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:driveline:differential unit category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.