Owners have filed 47 complaints
about the 2016 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA between 2016 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 17 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Cadillac CTS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 44
8.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
61% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
516.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
722.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
619.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1032.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
13.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
13.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
13.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2016peak 4Dec 2025
Recalls on the 2016 Cadillac CTS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2026246328 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and metal fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag module.
Recall 20202913,715 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. Safety Risk: A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor and apply a protective wax coating. If the bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion, the steering gear will be replaced.
Recall 20184812,488 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with heated front seats, the seat heating element may become damaged, causing localized over-heating. In a situation where the vehicle is started remotely and the heated seats are turned on, the seat could over-heat and melt, creating an increased risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the body control module to deactivate the heated seat function when the vehicle is started remotely.
Recall 20184631,851 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear housing may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. The resulting increase in steering effort could create the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the mounting bolts and apply a corrosion protection coating to the gear housing and bolts. If the bolts bolt cannot be removed, a replacement steering gear will be installed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 20,000 milesFort Lauderdale, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece. The contact stated that the occupant was stabbed in the back of the right arm. No medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on all four of the door panels and the glove compartment had been replaced several times. The contact stated the glove compartment carbon fiber optic piece was replaced three times. In addition, the contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on each door panel had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11657637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesNEW York, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2019 AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2019
NHTSA complaint #11307353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesNEW York, NYFire
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2019 AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2019
NHTSA complaint #11307353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesNEW York, NYFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2019 AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2019
NHTSA complaint #11307353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 93,942 milesTemecula, CA
STEERING
The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.
NHTSA complaint #11703838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Message "Shift to Park" even though the car is already in Park, preventing shutting down the car.
NHTSA complaint #11667214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesFort Lauderdale, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece. The contact stated that the occupant was stabbed in the back of the right arm. No medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on all four of the door panels and the glove compartment had been replaced several times. The contact stated the glove compartment carbon fiber optic piece was replaced three times. In addition, the contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on each door panel had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11657637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Opa Locka,, FL
AIR BAGS
The passenger side airbag stays illuminated after the vehicle is started and continues to stay on as the vehicle is driven, never going off. General Motors have not issued a recall on this safety problem with the 2016 Cadillac CTS. My [XXX] address [XXX] . My phone number is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11645750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,790 milesOpa Locka, FL
AIR BAGS
The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,790.
NHTSA complaint #11645131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.
NHTSA complaint #11611649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, IL
POWER TRAIN
Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.
NHTSA complaint #11563267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, IL
SUSPENSION
Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.
NHTSA complaint #11563267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBirmingham, AL
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the rear end of the vehicle lowered. There was an abnormal roaring noise detected from the wheels. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the failure was due to the run flat tires. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the differential was not properly lubricated; and informed him not to drive the vehicle. The parts to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11501662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
POWER TRAIN
Torque converter shudders and jerks abruptly. There’s trouble slowing down at times and it has a difficult time shifting up or shifting down i gears.
NHTSA complaint #11487639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensalem, PA
POWER TRAIN
I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty and it is now worse outside of warranty! #2 Adaptive cruise has also been reported multiple times and I have paid to get both front sensors replaced. Only to have the issue continue. The dash will show a car is in the path, but there is a 2-3 second delay before car starts to slow down. Often brakes do not engage and the alarms just go off. I have driven a loaner car of similar years and they do not operate the same. This car is an outlier.
NHTSA complaint #11470625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensalem, PA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty and it is now worse outside of warranty! #2 Adaptive cruise has also been reported multiple times and I have paid to get both front sensors replaced. Only to have the issue continue. The dash will show a car is in the path, but there is a 2-3 second delay before car starts to slow down. Often brakes do not engage and the alarms just go off. I have driven a loaner car of similar years and they do not operate the same. This car is an outlier.
NHTSA complaint #11470625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelton, CT
POWER TRAIN
The component that failed on my vehicle is the rear differential. My safety was put at risk by my vehicle hesitating on the highway where I lost speed and was almost rear ended. At that point I had to pull over onto a shoulder with grass to wait on the side of the highway for a tow. My vehicle has been with the dealer for the past 2 months. No warning lights or signals.
NHTSA complaint #11468827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelton, CT
POWER TRAIN
The component that failed was the rear differential. I had to pull over on a grassy area on the merrit parkway which put my safety at risk. The component has been inspected by the dealer. No warning lamps appeared. I heard a whining sound and a grinding noise.
NHTSA complaint #11461848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No
NHTSA complaint #11434935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No
NHTSA complaint #11434935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No
NHTSA complaint #11434935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CUE screen is “cracked”. Can no longer see about 1/2 of back up camera screen. Barely missed backing into my neighbors car.
NHTSA complaint #11430899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chapel Hill, NC
POWER TRAIN
A known issue. “Clutch slow to fill” is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be fixed with an “update” but tried to charge over $300 for the “update” when it is a defect that should have been fixed under warranty for free or have a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11424320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New Haven, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Cracked CUE screen dealership states not covered under warranty and requesting $1700.00 to replace. My 2016 CTS has only 28,500 miles and has always been kept in the garage since I purchased it new in 2016. I truly feel GM should being covering the cost of replacement on this system on a vehicle that had a $64,000 price tag.
NHTSA complaint #11423114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesMullica Hill, NJ
STEERING
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER ALL WENT AWAY. IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11385311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesMullica Hill, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER ALL WENT AWAY. IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11385311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesMullica Hill, NJ
ENGINE
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER ALL WENT AWAY. IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11385311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesOxnard, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN I ACCELERATED THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO REV WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE I WAS NOT MOVING. RPM CONTINUED TO GO UP BUT NO POWER. OTHER TIMES A VIG BUMP IS FELT WHEN I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS FOR A KOMENT AND WHEN I PLACE IT BACK ON TO ACCELERATE THE BIG BUMP IS FELT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO CADILLAC SEVICE TWICE AND BOTH TIMES TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT IT DID NOT DIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11373601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesLeonardtown, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CADILLAC CUE DISPLAY FOR RADIO, INFO, HVAC, NAV, ETC. HAS BEGUN TO CRACK (AKA SPIDERWEB CRACKS) WHICH HAS NO MADE THE TOUCH SCREEN UNUSABLE AND BEGUN TO DEGRADE VEHICLE CA0PABILITY. THE DISPLAY FREQUENTLY BLINKS AND MAKES EMITS RANDOM AUDIO TONES BOTH OF WHICH ARE VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11353726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.