2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I picked up my2008 CTS with Performance package and 18" wheels last Thursday, it had 172 miles on it. This is the car I test drove during the buying purchase. I am experiencing a steering wheel shake/shimmy on the freeway around 60 about half the time I drive the car. I take the car to the dealership, car has 452 miles. They confirm that GM is having a problem and they are going to re-index the tires, which means that they break down the tire and rotate the tire, remount and rebalance. I get the car back with 531 miles on it.

The car still has the problem. After discussing with my service advisor, who then spoke with the shop foreman and service manager, their conclusion is that it is the characteristics of the car. They are telling me that the first 10 miles or so the "soft" performance tires need to "heat" up. They also think that the problem will correct itself in 2000 miles after the suspension breaks in.

I have owned 1 3 series, and 2 G35s, all with the sports packages. I have never had a problem with their tires. Did GM drop the ball on the Michelins that they put on the 18" package?

What do you think?

Scott

PS. My car also had a front speaker that need to be replaced and a A piler trim piece that had to be replaced. GM is not off to a great start.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I test drove a 2008 CTS and it had the steering wheel shake at 60 MPH. The salesman tolds me the front wheels needed to be rebalanced. I just received my 2008 CTS that I ordered and so far it does not have the steering wheels shake.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

niki08,

Did the car you test drive have the 18" tires? How about the one your ordered? Also when did your are get built?

Thanks,

Scott

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Cadillac is aware and working on fix. Patience is required, notify Cad Customer Assistance let them know of concern, and request notification when fix is available.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

The CTS I test drove had 17" wheels. My CTS I just received also has 17" wheels. My CTS was built on Feb. 8th.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

slowroll,

Thanks for replying. I did fill out the form for Caddy Cust Assist. Do you have any Bulletin number I can refer to when you say Cadillac is aware, so I can pass it on to my Dealer?

Thanks,

Scott

PS. It is hard to be patience, when your 44k+ car drives like this. [:@]

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

niki08,

Thanks for the additional info. From what I am hearing, it is primarily a problem on the 18", even though you saw it on the test drive car. Hopefully they will get a fix.

Scott

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I have been dealing with this since I got the car as well. First dealer trying to tell me im nuts, then the whole bs story about sitting overnight, etc.

Second dealer noticed it and changed out frontrims and tires. seemed to work for a day but nowdoes it. They called technical at Cadillac and they said that there was another CTS with the same problem and they are switching out the steering rack.

Rack on order and gets put in on Wed. Will let you know because i know EXACTLY what you are going thru. I am glad i had another Cadillac dealership that was pro active instead of the one giving me some bs about soft tires.

Tell them that BMW's tires dont flat spot from sitting overnight and neither does KIA! Nice car but WORTHLESS SERVICE PEOPLE. I like when they try to give me a chevy to drive when my Cadillac is in the shop. I asked them if they thought Lexus gives out Toyota's? American car makers dont get it, Period.

when lease runs out I am moving on to BMW. I was this close to getting one when i changed my mind last minute and got the CTS because I got the Family First discount. Next time forget it, BMW here I come. Nice car but stupid service people ruin it. I expected small problems but dont make me feel stupid when i point them out and give me some bs about soft tires. really?


Chris

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Oh great... NOW I read this thread...

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Did you have this problem and get it fixed?

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

4/22/2008 Update: Replaced Steering Rack with upgraded one, Engineer was out here for 3 days. Re-balanced tires for the 10th time. Suprise....Still cant fix, still shakes. I have a great dealer that has escalated and is working with me to get a new car. This is a known problem with this package. I have more details if anyone wants them.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

could anyone send what I may need to tell my dealer as far as a service fix for this issue? I purchased a cts three weeks ago and have had this problem since day one, I hoped it would go away. The wife drove the car today to work and she noticed it as well (I know now I am not just crazy). Anything could help. I would like to be able to resolve this as quick as possible. Regards.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I noticed a light vibration on my 08 CTS, and it is usually as the tires are getting hot as I get on the highway very quickly. Has there been any other follow up from Detroit on this? Which suspension is being refered to? More info would be helpful...

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

The steering wheel shake is a problem and your not imagining it. In the end after months of trial and error, new tires and rims, steering racks, steering columns, etc. I went ahead and got a lemon law attorney. they don't cost anything and get paid by GM by the way. In the end, i got my money back and turned the car in. I now have a lexus GS and guess what....they make a car that doesnt shake.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I did not have this problem... my 2008 CTS runs great.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

consider yourself lucky.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Hey Chris_Vegas...I'd certainly be interested in more details. I bought my 08 CTS in late Feb and it's had a steering wheel vibration at around 60mph from Day 1. I've waited for these first 15K miles to see if it would correct itself, but to no avail. Another CTS site hosts several other owners with the same problem. Perhaps I may have to go the Lemon Law route. Appreciate all you've written so far.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Chris, I got your email. Thanks. I am still driving my car, I have noticed the vibration comes and goes. I love my car and have started to convince myself that the vibration is going away. What was it like filling the lemon law? How long is the process? What type of lawyer is involved?

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

dacm99...the vibration comes and goes with mine as well. Have owned it now for 7 months and it still happens (more times than not). I made an appt. with the service department for next Tuesday. I'll report what happens. Good luck with your CTS. It's such an awesome car, I just hate that this problem exists.

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

Clarkster & dacm99,

Let me start by saying that I really liked this car and it was a shame that this problem couldn't be fixed. I originally bought in January 08' and they seemed to do a great job in the re-design. There was only so much I could take though, I was beginning to wonder who put more miles on the car....me or the dealer? BEFORE the lemon law filing they offered me a new car. The dealer had 5 on the lot, 2 of them with the Performance Package. Both with the Package shook right off the lot. That was when I knew I had to do the Lemon Law thing because if I got a new one and it did it too then I would have to start this whole process over again. I read the other posts as well, spent time researching over and over, even read one where someone flat out accused people of making the whole thing up! The whole thing with the lemon law went smooth though. I didnt tell the dealer any details, I just looked up Lemon Law Nevada and a ton of attorneys popped up that specialized in it. I used 1800 Lemon Law I think. I can double check if you get more serious. I went online did an inquiry, they called and told me to fax everything over. I had it ready to go when they called actually and sent it to them. They called me a half hour later and said you have a case. They don't charge so there was no risk to me. They get paid by GM. In the end I think the invoice for their services to GM was 1500. I got everything but 1000 back because mine was a lease. A purchase would have been more they said. I was happy because I didn't have to trade it in and get my a$$ handed to me for only having the car 6 months! The whole thing took about 6 weeks. I was busy enough that I just filed it and forgot about it. I checked with them every once in a while and then out of nowhere I had an offer from GM. The best part is that when I went in to turn it in at the original dealer...The service Manager that I had to take it to had the same car AND HE SAID IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!! I thought it was funny. Sad because the car could have been great. The Lexus is unbelievable though. Their service is the best. Did you know that they actually come out to your house to pick up the car for an oil change or service? They also only give out Lexus vehicles as loaners. No more of that Enterprise Garbage!

Chris

RE: 2008 CTS with Steering Wheel shake
 

I have a new CTS with vibrates at speeds starting at 30MPH and conitinuing at various higher speeds. Service manager tells me GM is aware of the problem (obvioulsly !). Now the car is making a whining/grinding sound when the wheel is turned at slower speeds. It seems from reading the thread that no one is getting anywhere with GM with the exception of Chris who got Lemon Law relief, is that our only hope here ?