Cadillac XTS Transmission Slipping and Grinding Issues

I had a very similar issue with my 2010 Cadillac CTS. With some experience working on cars, I recognized the symptoms right away as potential transfer case problems. The gear grinding and rough shifting turned out to be caused by defective gears in the transfer case. My workshop found significant gear wear during inspection. The repair included replacing several worn components and doing a complete transfer fluid change. Total cost came to 330€, including parts and labor. The repair resolved all the shifting issues and the transmission has been smooth ever since. Before suggesting specific solutions for your XTS, current mileage on your vehicle? When was the last transfer case oil change? Are you hearing any specific noises during gear changes? Does the problem occur more when the transmission is cold or warm? Have you noticed any fluid leaks under the car? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my CTS.

My XTS has 29340 KM and had its last service 3 months ago. The gear grinding happens consistently during both cold and warm operation. I notice dark spots on my driveway, suggesting transfer case oil leakage. The noise is most noticeable when shifting between second and third gear, with a distinct grinding sound. When accelerating from a stop, I can feel significant hesitation, suggesting severe oil wear in the transmission system. Thanks for sharing your experience, it seems our issues could be similar.

Thanks for the additional details. Based on your description, this definitely sounds similar to what I experienced with my CTS. The dark spots on your driveway combined with the grinding between second and third gear strongly indicate transfer case issues. The mechanical wear patterns you describe match almost exactly what my mechanic found, especially the hesitation from a stop. In my case, the transfer fluid had degraded significantly, leading to inadequate lubrication and increased gear wear. Since your vehicle is showing these symptoms despite recent service, I recommend getting it checked soon. The cost for my repair (330€) might be different in your case since the XTS transfer case design varies slightly from the CTS. A few quick points based on my experience: The dark spots suggest active leakage that needs immediate attention, Consistent gear grinding in both cold and warm conditions often indicates advanced wear, The hesitation from stop is a classic sign of transfer case problems My CTS showed similar symptoms and waiting would have caused more extensive damage. The complete repair prevented more expensive transmission issues down the line. Let us know what your mechanic finds when you get it checked.

The dark spots and gear grinding symptoms you described match my situation perfectly. The hesitation from stop is exactly what I am experiencing too. Good to know your CTS repair was straightforward and resolved the issues completely. I will schedule an appointment with my mechanic this week. The transfer case oil leak combined with the grinding between gears definitely needs immediate attention before more severe gear wear develops. I understand now that waiting could lead to extensive transmission damage. Will update the forum once I get a proper diagnosis and repair quote. Thanks for sharing the details about your experience and repair costs, gives me a good baseline for what to expect at the shop.