Cadillac CTS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Cadillac CTS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (8) and the 2003 the most (313).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19–25 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
10 | 0 | Power train | 5★ | 16–25 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
27 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 17–25 |
| 2016 | 31 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 17–25 |
| 2015 | 47 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 14–24 |
| 2012 | 65 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 14–21 |
| 2010 | 67 | 3 | Air bags | — | 14–22 |
| 2013 | 73 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 14–21 |
| 2011 | 101 | 2 | Air bags | — | 14–21 |
| 2014 | 146 | 6 | Power train | 5★ | 14–23 |
| 2009 | 167 | 5 | Engine | — | 19–21 |
| 2008 | 175 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 19–21 |
| 2007 | 217 | 6 | Air bags | — | 16–19 |
| 2004 | 224 | 6 | Power train | — | 17–19 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
269 | 6 | Air bags | — | 17–19 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
277 | 6 | Power train | — | 16–19 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
313 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Cadillac CTS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2003 Cadillac CTS: 313 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 56 (18%); Service brakes 47 (15%); Engine and engine cooling 38 (12%).
Reports mention 29 crashes, 12 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 72,300 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Cadillac CTS: 277 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 82 (30%); Air bags 74 (27%); Electrical system 39 (14%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 4 fires, 31 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 67,581 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Cadillac CTS: 269 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 87 (32%); Service brakes 56 (21%); Power train 45 (17%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 2 fires, 13 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 66,998 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Cadillac CTS years with the fewest complaints
2018 Cadillac CTS: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (38%); Power train 3 (38%); Air bags 1 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Cadillac CTS: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 3 (30%); Engine 2 (20%); Back over prevention 1 (10%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Cadillac CTS: 27 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 9 (33%); Steering 8 (30%); Wheels 3 (11%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 37,247 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Cadillac CTS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37,247 |
| 2016 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2015 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 62,500 |
| 2014 | 146 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 57,978 |
| 2013 | 73 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2012 | 65 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 43,000 |
| 2011 | 101 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 40,500 |
| 2010 | 67 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 56,000 |
| 2009 | 167 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 65,153 |
| 2008 | 175 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 58,521 |
| 2007 | 217 | 26 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2006 | 269 | 23 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 66,998 |
| 2005 | 277 | 25 | 4 | 31 | 2 | 67,581 |
| 2004 | 224 | 25 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2003 | 313 | 29 | 12 | 21 | 0 | 72,300 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Cadillac CTS recalls
- GM/FMVSS 225/OWNER'S MANUAL INFORMATION (2003 model year; 1,707,825 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2003; 03V250000)
- HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT (2008–2009 model years; 1,365,070 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2010; 10V240000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2003–2014 model years; 554,328 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V394000)
- DRIVE AXLE SEAL LEAK (2005–2007 model years; 275,936 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2007; 07V589000)
- FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES (2003–2007 model years; 139,131 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2010; 10V105000)
All 27 Cadillac CTS recall campaigns · Cadillac CTS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Cadillac CTS years FAQ
Which Cadillac CTS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (8). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Cadillac CTS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2005 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Cadillac CTS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (461 of 2,217 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Cadillac CTS have?
NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering the Cadillac CTS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Cadillac CTS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.