Reliability
Cadillac

CTS (3rd)

2014-2019 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
270 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
CTSCTS-V
View all 3 generations of the Cadillac CTS → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.4 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 138 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 109.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall138 complaints against about 109 for similar vehicles
6.4
Last three years31 complaints against about 31 for similar vehicles
7.1
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced12 complaints against about 26 for similar vehicles
8.6
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20145.6
  • 20156.3
  • 20167.6
  • 20177.5
  • 20188.1
  • 20197.6

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

2.0L 4-cyl turbo 7.4/10
About 55% fewer powertrain complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (58 complaints, about 61,000 built)
3.6L 6-cyl 4.8/10
About 3 times as many powertrain complaints as this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (80 complaints, about 31,000 built)
6.2L 8-cyl (turbo and non-turbo together) 8.9/10
No clear difference from this generation's other engines. (0 complaints, about 7,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LTG

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
116 complaints 18.7 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
51
electrical
18
other
16
engine
15
suspension
12

LFX

3.6L 6-cyl
69 complaints 34.5 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

LF3

3.6L 6-cyl Turbo
40 complaints 13.3 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
28
engine
5
suspension
4
steering
4
electrical
3

Same engine used in

LGX - DI: Direct Injection, VVT, ALUM, GEN 2

3.6L 6-cyl Turbo
20 complaints 6.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
8
steering
4
wheels tires
3
other
3
engine
1
Show 6 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Cadillac CTS Unidentified Engine

9 complaints 3.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
3
electrical
3
interior
2
wheels tires
2
brakes
1

LGX - DI: Direct Injection, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 2

3.6L 6-cyl
5 complaints 2.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
3
electrical
2
steering
1
suspension
1
wheels tires
1

LSA

6.2L 8-cyl
5 complaints 2.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2
safety systems
1
suspension
1
brakes
1
steering
1

LT4 - DI: Direct Injection, SC, AFM, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, ALUM

6.2L 8-cyl
4 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
3
interior
1
electrical
1

Same engine used in

LFW

3.0L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

LMT

1.0L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac CTS, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Transmission: 127 owner complaints
Electrical System: 36 owner complaints
Steering: 30 owner complaints
Suspension: 28 owner complaints
Engine: 23 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS

On a used 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (127), the electrical system (36) and the steering (30). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 127 owner complaints on the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 36 owner complaints on the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS about the electrical system.
  3. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS about the steering.
  4. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS about the suspension.
  5. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS about the engine, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS

Recalls (11)

26V329000May 21, 2026critical
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

25V175000Mar 20, 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 23, 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.

19V086000Feb 7, 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.

18V595000Sep 7, 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.

Show 6 older recalls
15V358000Jun 9, 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.

14V614000Oct 1, 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.

14V446000Jul 23, 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.

14V394000Jul 2, 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.

14V338000Jun 19, 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 15, 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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the steering.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 270 owner complaints on file for the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS?

NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac CTS?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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. 270 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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