VehicleVerdict

2010 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Cadillac CTS sits mid-pack among CTS years: 101 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 149, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (18), airbags (16), and engine (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

101

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1818%
Airbags1616%
Engine1212%
Transmission99%
Body & Structure88%
Other77%
Lighting77%
Brakes77%
Steering55%
Tires & Wheels33%
Speed Control22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seat Belts22%
Suspension11%
Fuel System11%
Seats11%

Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

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.

11V089000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2011 · 44,147 units

Defect

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.

10V414000OtherSeptember 13, 2010 · 20,224 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PASSANGER SIDE SUNVISOR WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT SOME OF CEILING UPHOLSTERY AND MELTED PLASTIC TRIM AROUND SUN ROOF . *TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 26, 2011 · fire

I HAVE A 2010 CTS CADILLAC; I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 9/3/2013 IN WHICH I WAS T-BONE BY SOME RUNNING A RED LIGHT MY AIRBAGS DID OT DEPLOY, I HAVE INJURIES FROM THAT ACCIDENT THAT I AM STILL DEALING WITH. I WAS STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT IN A 2 WAY LEFT TURN I WAS ON THE OUTSIDE THE BLIND SIDE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 3, 2013 · crash

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CODE P0008 TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. CADILLAC HAS A RECALL ON THE 3.6 TIMING CHAINS BUT MY VIN FOR SOME REASON ISN'T INCLUDED. MY CADILLAC ONLY HAS 76844 MILES ON IT. THE RECALL THEY HAVE IN PLACE IS FOR 10 YEARS 120000 MILES. AGAIN FOR SOME REASON MY CAR ISN'T INCLUDED EVEN THO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 17, 2017

I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL GET OUT OF GEAR WHEN I'M AT A STOP. IT WILL ACT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THERE ARE NO CODES THAT TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLUTCH GOES BAD. I ONLY HAVE 88K MILES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 30, 2020

DOOR LOCKS FREEZE UP. THE DRIVERS DOOR FROZE UP WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS (WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN TN) COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT. THAT WAS IN 9/2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FLUKE! PAID OVER $600 FOR REPAIR. YESTERDAY I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN!…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 3, 2017

2010 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2010 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 101 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CTS year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2010 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), airbags (16 complaints), engine (12 complaints).

Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.