VehicleVerdict

2014 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2014 Cadillac CTS sits mid-pack among CTS years: 196 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 148, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 43% of all reports (84 of 196), far ahead of suspension at 16. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

196

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission8443%
Suspension168%
Electrical System158%
Other147%
Steering137%
Tires & Wheels116%
Engine95%
Driver Assistance63%
Lighting53%
Seats53%
Body & Structure42%
Airbags42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Brakes32%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control11%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

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

18V595000SeatsSeptember 7, 2018 · 52,867 units

Defect

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 producing excessive heat.

Consequence

In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.

14V614000Electrical SystemOctober 1, 2014 · 106,307 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence

If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

14V446000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 124,007 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

Consequence

A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

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.

14V338000TransmissionJune 19, 2014 · 90,750 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

Consequence

If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

14V253000Visibility & WipersMay 15, 2014 · 19,225 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.

Consequence

An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT, FOUR LANE ROAD. IT MADE A LOUD THUMP AND FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON. THE CAR PULL HARD LEFT AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SMOKING. MANAGED TO GET THE CAR BACK TO THE RIGHT AND STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE CURB. FORTUNATELY NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 4, 2019 · crash

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURE OF ALL SUBFRAME BUSHINGS. TO INCLUDE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES TOTALING 4 BUSHING FAILURES. FAILURES PERPETUATE EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. RESULTS: UNSOLVEABLE MISALIGNMENT, IN EXTREME SITUATIONS ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CAMBER +/-…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2015 · crash

BOUGHT THIS CAR AND AFTER BUYING IT, I HEARD A VIBRATION. FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD AND THEN THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES. I STARTED CHECKING AROUND FOR TIRES WHEN IT BECAME VERY NOISY SO I CALLED THE DEALER. HE FIRST SAID IT WAS THE POWER TRAIN FLUID NEEDED CHANGED BUT LATER CALLED AND SAID IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 21, 2020

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT, FOUR LANE ROAD. IT MADE A LOUD THUMP AND FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON. THE CAR PULL HARD LEFT AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SMOKING. MANAGED TO GET THE CAR BACK TO THE RIGHT AND STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE CURB. FORTUNATELY NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 4, 2019 · crash

2014 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2014 Cadillac CTS reliable?

It is close to typical for the CTS: 196 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2014 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (84 complaints), suspension (16 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints).

Does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 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.

How safe is the 2014 Cadillac CTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Cadillac CTS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.