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Cadillac CTS vs Lexus ES350: reliability compared

From 2007 to 2019, owners filed an average of 87 complaints per model year about the Cadillac CTS and 111 about the Lexus ES350.

Side by side

Cadillac CTSLexus ES350
Model years compared2007-20192007-2019
Owner complaints1,1371,438
Complaints per model year87111
Recalls2111
Years to avoid2007200720082009201020112012
Best years201520162017None stand out
Most common problemTransmissionAirbags
Crash rating5 2019No data
Fuel economy16-25 mpg combined (2019)26 mpg combined (2019)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2007 Cadillac CTS: 2172007 Lexus ES350: 53920072008 Cadillac CTS: 1752008 Lexus ES350: 2552009 Cadillac CTS: 1682009 Lexus ES350: 14520092010 Cadillac CTS: 672010 Lexus ES350: 1372011 Cadillac CTS: 1012011 Lexus ES350: 15320112012 Cadillac CTS: 652012 Lexus ES350: 892013 Cadillac CTS: 732013 Lexus ES350: 2320132014 Cadillac CTS: 1462014 Lexus ES350: 282015 Cadillac CTS: 492015 Lexus ES350: 1620152016 Cadillac CTS: 312016 Lexus ES350: 212017 Cadillac CTS: 272017 Lexus ES350: 2220172018 Cadillac CTS: 82018 Lexus ES350: 52019 Cadillac CTS: 102019 Lexus ES350: 52019
Cadillac CTSLexus ES350

Problems compared

CTSES350
Transmission25838
Electrical21155
Engine17339
Airbags155865
Brakes13750
Steering10117
Acceleration55212
Body6383
Visibility1749

Questions about the Cadillac CTS vs Lexus ES350

Which is more reliable, the Cadillac CTS or the Lexus ES350?

Between 2007 and 2019, the Cadillac CTS has 1 year to avoid and the Lexus ES350 6. The Cadillac CTS has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Cadillac CTS drew fewer complaints per model year (87 vs 111), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Cadillac CTS or the Lexus ES350?

From 2007 to 2019, the Cadillac CTS was covered by 21 recalls and the Lexus ES350 by 11.

What years of the Cadillac CTS and Lexus ES350 should you avoid?

Cadillac CTS: 2007. Lexus ES350: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

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