The Cadillac CTS Is Literally Hot Fire

Recall issued.

Cadillac has issued a recall on 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS sedans for a malfunctioning seat heater that could potentially pose a fire risk.

According to an NHTSA bulletin released early last month, the Cadillac sedans could have damaged seat heating elements which can potentially operate at excessively high temperatures. The issue mostly surrounds the use of remote start in cold climates that automatically activate the seat heaters. Well, if those seats are left unattended for too long then they have the potential to set your entire car on fire.

The recall affects 53,586 CTS sedans sold from 2014 to 2016, and the fix involves a visit to the dealership for a reprogram of the body control module. The reprogramming doesn’t actually fix the issue, it just deletes the system's ability to switch on the heated seats under remote start conditions in cold weather. It’s possible there may be a need for another recall to address the heating elements down the line, should this recall not totally fix the issue.

It’s believed the company first became aware of the issue earlier this year when an Indiana woman reported that her 2015 CTS had caught fire which she thought was caused by the remote start triggered heated seats. At the time a GM spokesperson confirmed the company would be thoroughly investigating the cause of the blaze.

Apparently, there may also be issues with older Buick LaCrosses, but GM has declined any further action on that front. GM opened its investigation into the CTS issue on April 18, and had concluded by July 27 that a recall would be necessary.

"As the 573 [form] indicates, the risk is rare, but can occur when a vehicle with a damaged seat heater mat is remote started and unoccupied," a GM spokesperson told The Drive. GM is aware of only four fires, and one injury caused by the malfunctioning seat heaters. Owners of affected vehicles should call Cadillac's customer service line at 1-800-458-8006.