Cadillac CTS Problems by Year

We compared every Cadillac CTS model year from 2003–2019 using 2,219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 27 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007 and 2003, which drew far more complaints than other CTS years at the same age. The best years are 2018, 2019 and 2017.

17model years
2,219complaints
27recalls
2006, 2005worst years
2018, 2019best years

Complaints by model year

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19313224277269217175167671016573146493127810
Owner complaints per model year, Cadillac CTS. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201910−85%—EngineGood
20188−91%2ElectricalGood
201727−78%2TransmissionGood
201631−74%4ElectricalGood
201549−66%3TransmissionGood
20141461.2×6TransmissionAverage
201373−46%2ElectricalGood
201265−54%2ElectricalGood
2011101−31%2AirbagAverage
201067−58%3AirbagGood
20091671.2×5EngineAverage
20081751.2×2ElectricalAverage
20072171.5×6AirbagCaution
20062691.9×6AirbagCaution
20052771.6×6TransmissionCaution
20042241.4×6TransmissionAverage
20033131.8×4EngineCaution

* Complaints compared with the median CTS year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Cadillac CTS problems

Latest Cadillac CTS recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 26V-329 · May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 25V-175 · Mar 20, 2025 · 934 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 19V-086 · Feb 7, 2019 · 26,772 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 18V-595 · Sep 7, 2018 · 52,867 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages

NHTSA recall 15V-358 · Jun 9, 2015 · 2,163 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.

All 27 Cadillac CTS recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Cadillac CTS should you avoid?

2006, 2005, 2007 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other CTS years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2006.

What is the best year for the Cadillac CTS?

2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other CTS years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Cadillac CTS problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (462), electrical system (383) and air bags (378). Transmission complaints peak in the 2014 model year.

How many recalls has the Cadillac CTS had?

27 recalls across 2003–2019. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Cadillac CTS recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.