VehicleVerdict

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

YearWhyComplaints
2003High complaint rate450
2005High complaint rate396
2006High complaint rate371
2007High complaint rate314
2004High complaint rate294
2008High complaint rate252
2009High complaint rate222

Every CTS year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2019160
2018102
2017322
2016474
2015653
20141966
20131062
2012812
20111482
20101013
2009avoid2225
2008avoid2522
2007avoid3146
2006avoid3716
2005avoid3966
2004avoid2946
2003avoid4504

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 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.