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Cadillac CTS vs Lincoln MKZ: reliability compared

From 2007 to 2019, owners filed an average of 87 complaints per model year about the Cadillac CTS and 128 about the Lincoln MKZ.

Side by side

Cadillac CTSLincoln MKZ
Model years compared2007-20192007-2019
Owner complaints1,1371,670
Complaints per model year87128
Recalls2132
Years to avoid200720072008
Best years201520162017201620182019
Most common problemTransmissionAirbags
Crash rating5 2019No data
Fuel economy16-25 mpg combined (2019)20-41 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 Lincoln MKZ: 25920072008 Cadillac CTS: 1752008 Lincoln MKZ: 2812009 Cadillac CTS: 1682009 Lincoln MKZ: 11420092010 Cadillac CTS: 672010 Lincoln MKZ: 1702011 Cadillac CTS: 1012011 Lincoln MKZ: 14520112012 Cadillac CTS: 652012 Lincoln MKZ: 1462013 Cadillac CTS: 732013 Lincoln MKZ: 10920132014 Cadillac CTS: 1462014 Lincoln MKZ: 982015 Cadillac CTS: 492015 Lincoln MKZ: 8420152016 Cadillac CTS: 312016 Lincoln MKZ: 652017 Cadillac CTS: 272017 Lincoln MKZ: 14220172018 Cadillac CTS: 82018 Lincoln MKZ: 362019 Cadillac CTS: 102019 Lincoln MKZ: 212019
Cadillac CTSLincoln MKZ

Problems compared

CTSMKZ
Transmission25894
Electrical211121
Engine173184
Airbags155674
Brakes137283
Steering101116

Questions about the Cadillac CTS vs Lincoln MKZ

Which is more reliable, the Cadillac CTS or the Lincoln MKZ?

Between 2007 and 2019, the Cadillac CTS has 1 year to avoid and the Lincoln MKZ 2. 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 128), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Cadillac CTS or the Lincoln MKZ?

From 2007 to 2019, the Cadillac CTS was covered by 21 recalls and the Lincoln MKZ by 32.

What years of the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln MKZ should you avoid?

Cadillac CTS: 2007. Lincoln MKZ: 2007 and 2008.

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