Cadillac CTS years to avoid
More than twice the CTS's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Cadillac CTS years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Cadillac CTS complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Cadillac CTS problems
All model years combined.
- Transmission462
- Electrical383
- Airbags378
- Engine332
- Brakes313
- Steering162
- Suspension119
- Body113
- Lights109
- Acceleration103
- Fuel system97
- Driver assistance92
Most reported problems on the Cadillac CTS
Airbag light 164Stalling 108No deployment 66Loss of power 52Headlights 50Fire or smoke 40
Cadillac CTS problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 95 | 10 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | 95 | 8 | Electrical | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | 91 | 27 | Transmission | 37,247 | 2 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2016 | 88 | 31 | Electrical | 20,000 | 4 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2015 | 85 | 49 | Transmission | 62,500 | 3 | 2 | Fewest complaints |
| 2014 | 58 | 146 | Transmission | 57,978 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 79 | 73 | Electrical | 27,000 | 2 | 10 | |
| 2012 | 82 | 65 | Electrical | 43,000 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 74 | 101 | Airbags | 40,500 | 2 | 11 | |
| 2010 | 81 | 67 | Airbags | 56,000 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 54 | 168 | Engine | 65,153 | 5 | 10 | |
| 2008 | 55 | 175 | Electrical | 58,521 | 2 | 12 | |
| 2007 | 42 | 217 | Airbags | 77,000 | 6 | 26 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 36 | 269 | Airbags | 66,998 | 6 | 23 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 33 | 277 | Transmission | 67,581 | 6 | 25 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 41 | 224 | Transmission | 50,000 | 6 | 25 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 32 | 313 | Engine | 72,300 | 4 | 29 | Avoid |
Recalls 27
Cadillac CTS warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Compare the CTS
CTS vs Audi A4CTS vs Mercedes-Benz C300CTS vs BMW 328ICTS vs Lincoln MKZCTS vs Lexus ES350CTS vs Acura TLX
Questions about the Cadillac CTS
What years of the Cadillac CTS should you avoid?
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Each has more than twice the Cadillac CTS's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2003 alone has 313, mostly about engine and electrical.
What is the best year for a used Cadillac CTS?
2017, 2016 and 2015 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (27, 31 and 49).
What is the most common problem with the Cadillac CTS?
Transmission, with 462 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (383) and airbags (378).
How many recalls does the Cadillac CTS have?
27 recalls between 2003 and 2019. The 2014 model year has the most, with 6.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Cadillac CTS?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
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