Cadillac CTS Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Cadillac CTS? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Cadillac CTS — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019Best | Excellent | — | 7 | — | — | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2017 | Excellent | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2016 | Good | 3 | 21 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2015 | Good | 2 | 28 | 2 | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2014 | Caution | 6 | 105 | 8 | 8 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2013 | Good | 2 | 52 | 13 | 10 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 1 | 36 | 7 | 5 | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2011 | Caution | 2 | 95 | 6 | 4 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2010 | Good | 3 | 50 | — | 2 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2009 | Caution | 4 | 117 | 10 | 9 | 4 | Engine | Full report → |
| 2008 | Caution | 1 | 101 | 9 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2007 | Avoid | 4 | 170 | 22 | 17 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2006 | Avoid | 3 | 198 | 22 | 19 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2005Worst | Avoid | 3 | 210 | 27 | 33 | 2 | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2004 | Caution | 4 | 141 | 17 | 19 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2003 | Avoid | 3 | 222 | 21 | 14 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
17 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Cadillac CTS Problems
Based on 1,572 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
CTS Years to Avoid
Best CTS Years to Buy
Cadillac CTS Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Cadillac CTS Reliability
What year CTS has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2005 Cadillac CTS had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 210 complaints and 3 safety recalls. See the full 2005 report for specific defects.
Is the Cadillac CTS reliable?
The Cadillac CTS has accumulated 1,572 owner-filed complaints and 45 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 6 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2019 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used CTS.
What are the most common CTS problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Power Train (254 reports), Air Bags (196 reports), Electrical System (174 reports), Engine (115 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my CTS has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Cadillac CTS VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
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