Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2010 Cadillac CTS: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Cadillac CTS, most recently filed July 2014. Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Cadillac CTS. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2010 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V394000 Filed Jul 2, 2014

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
64.8% repairedof 554,328 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V394000
Listed for 2010 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V089000 Filed Feb 11, 2011

REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.
Consequence
THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Repair progress not yet reported44,147 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V089000
Listed for 2010 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 10V414000 Filed Sep 13, 2010

OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION UNBELTED PASSENGER

Equipment
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Repair progress not yet reported20,224 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V414000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (67)

67 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
1involved a fire
5injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Cadillac CTS, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 67.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2010 compares with other CTS years

Best and worst CTS years →
2006200720082009201020112012201320142015
This year (2010)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
18
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2010 Cadillac CTS configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 22$3,050404
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 22$3,050404
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,200423
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,200423
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200423
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200423
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200423
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200423
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19$3,550468
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 26 / 19$3,550468
6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$5,150555
6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14$5,850635

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2010 CTS for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All CTS years

Where to next

2010 Cadillac CTS FAQ

How many recalls does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 14V394000 (electrical), 11V089000 (suspension), 10V414000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2010 Cadillac CTS problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (16), Electrical system (16), Engine (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2010 Cadillac CTS get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 18 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2010 CTS compare with other years?

Among the 2006–2015 Cadillac CTS model years at least five years old, the 2015 drew the fewest complaints (47) and the 2006 the most (269). The 2010 drew 67. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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