Cadillac

CTS (3rd)

2014-2019 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.7)
264 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
Includes data from: CTSCTS-V
View all 3 generations of the Cadillac CTS → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

LF3

3.6L 6-cyl Turbo
โœ… Recommended (3.7)
58 complaints 13.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
36
steering
7
engine
6
wheels tires
5
suspension
4

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (36 complaints)
Steering Issues (7 complaints)
Engine Issues (6 complaints)

Same engine used in

LTG

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.7)
110 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
50
electrical
16
other
16
suspension
12
engine
12

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (50 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (16 complaints)
Suspension Issues (12 complaints)

LFX

3.6L 6-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.6)
74 complaints 34.5 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
40
suspension
10
steering
9
wheels tires
8
electrical
7

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (40 complaints)
Suspension Issues (10 complaints)
Steering Issues (9 complaints)
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Cadillac CTS Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (4.5)
9 complaints 3.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
3
electrical
3
interior
2
wheels tires
2
brakes
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (3 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Interior Issues (2 complaints)

LSA

6.2L 8-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.6)
9 complaints 2.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
4
electrical
3
suspension
1
brakes
1
steering
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (4 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

LTG - SIDI: Spark Ignited Direct Injection, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, ALUM DOHC, DCVCP Turbo, E0-E100, ALUM

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
1
engine
1
electrical
1
interior
1

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

LFW

3.0L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

LMT

1.0L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac CTS regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (126 complaints)
transmission serious
Electrical System Issues (24 complaints)
electrical critical
Suspension Issues (23 complaints)
suspension critical
Engine Issues (19 complaints)
engine critical
Steering Issues (16 complaints)
steering cosmetic

Recalls (10)

25V175000Mar 19, 2025serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

20V038000Jan 22, 2020serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Cadillac CTS-V Sport vehicles equipped with 3.6L Twin Turbo V6 engines. The roll pins in the rear-axle differential may fracture.

19V086000Jul 1, 2019serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.

18V595000Jul 8, 2018serious
Seats

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.

15V358000Sep 5, 2015serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

14V446000Jul 22, 2014serious
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. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

14V338000Jun 18, 2014serious
Powertrain

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. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

14V253000May 14, 2014serious
Visibility

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 jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.

14V394000Feb 6, 2014serious
Electrical System

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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

14V614000Jan 9, 2014serious
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. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS problems?

The 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS has accumulated 264 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Electrical System, Suspension. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac CTS engine is most reliable?

The 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS was offered with 8 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.6L Turbo 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS a good used car?

The 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 264 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS have?

The 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS has 264 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac CTS?

Before buying a used Cadillac CTS, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Electrical System, Suspension, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the CTS?

The 2019 Cadillac CTS received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (10.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 264 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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