Most common 2014 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of the 146 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac CTS complaints by model year
Best CTS years: 2018, 2019, 2017. Years to avoid: 2006, 2005, 2007, 2003. Compare all years →
2014 Cadillac CTS recalls (6)
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
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.
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014.
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014.
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.
What 2014 Cadillac CTS owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 84 →
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS A. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH she heard an abnormal sound from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded like an amplified road noise. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an intermittent sharp jarring of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was downshifting to a lower gear independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who had diagnosed and determined that the differential was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, a metal noise was heard. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear brakes were replaced however, the contact was informed that the failure was the rear differential axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to have the failure diagnosed at a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer nor was a case opened. The contact was referencing the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The manufacturer informed the contact that only the sports version was included in the recall due to the plant of manufacture. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Suspension
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the contact heard a roaring noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but did not find an issue with the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving however, the abnormal noise was still heard while the contact was driving the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure with the rear axle differential which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling noise present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was very unstable and was vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact that the rear suspension warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning causing the contact to crash into a curb. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the vehicle's cue screen, which was the main control panel for many functions in the vehicle, suddenly froze without warning. On other occasions, the screen controls for the different features would move without the contact's consent. The contact called richard karr motors (located at 900 w loop 340, waco, tx 76712, [phone]) and Cadillac of arlington (located at 2001 north collins street, arlington, tx 76011, [phone]) and was informed that the failures were well known; however, there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 57,978.
2014 Cadillac CTS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 18 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Cadillac CTS a good car?
Based on 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 CTS rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the CTS at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
The transmission & drivetrain — 84 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about driveline › differential unit. Next are the suspension (17) and electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2014 Cadillac CTS, the most recent from September 7, 2018 (seat heater/cooler). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac CTS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2019 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2005, 2007 and 2003. See the full Cadillac CTS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 Cadillac CTS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 45% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.