Cadillac CTS years to avoid
The Cadillac CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2018 is the cleanest year on record.
3,101
Total complaints
27
Recall campaigns
2003–2019
Years covered
7
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
CTS years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 450 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 396 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 371 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 314 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 294 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 252 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 222 |
Every CTS year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 47 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 65 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 196 | 6 | |
| 2013 | 106 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 81 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 148 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 101 | 3 | |
| 2009avoid | 222 | 5 | |
| 2008avoid | 252 | 2 | |
| 2007avoid | 314 | 6 | |
| 2006avoid | 371 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 396 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 294 | 6 | |
| 2003avoid | 450 | 4 |
Common questions
What are the worst Cadillac CTS years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest year on record is 2018.
What is the best year for the Cadillac CTS?
By complaint volume, 2018 has the cleanest NHTSA record among CTS years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Cadillac CTS have?
Across all model years, the CTS has 27 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,101 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.