2016 Cadillac CTS: common problems and reliability

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 61 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and power train. Owners most often flag transmission problems — includes shuddering, slipping, delayed engagement, and complete failure. affects the 8-speed automatic (8l45/8l90) in later models and older automatics in earlier models. very frequent.

Safety record for the 2016 model year

61
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
20
power train
18
suspension
8
engine
8
steering
7

Recalls affecting the 2016 CTS

seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

Campaign 18V595000

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 produci…

steering:electric power assist system

Campaign 19V086000

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.

steering:electric power assist system

Campaign 25V175000

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.

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 26V329000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and specific powertrain. The third-generation CTS (2014-2019) and its high-performance variants (CTS-V, V-Sport) receive significant praise for their handling dynamics, competitive performance, and value p

  • Transmission problems — Includes shuddering, slipping, delayed engagement, and complete failure. Affects the 8-speed automatic (8L45/8L90) in later models and older automatics in earlier models. Very frequent.
  • Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system failures — Screen delamination, unresponsive touchscreen, phantom touches, and complete failure requiring costly replacement. Very frequent.
  • Electrical system issues — Battery drain problems, faulty sensors, malfunctioning modules (TCM, ECM communication loss), anti-theft system malfunctions, and accessory failures (heated/cooled seats, steering wheel buttons). Very frequent.
  • Engine issues — Oil consumption/burning, timing chain problems (early 3.6L engines), misfires, rough idle, and coolant temperature sensor failures. Recurrent.
  • Suspension and driveline problems — Rear air suspension failure (sagging), leaking differential seals, failing wheel bearings, and driveshaft support bearing failure. Recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the CTS.

Typical used price

Used CTS listings typically run $10,979–$17,080 across 2008 to 2019 model years.

Other CTS model years

2014 CTS2011 CTS2010 CTS2008 CTS2004 CTS2003 CTS
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