VehicleVerdict

2015 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2015 Cadillac CTS is among the quieter years of the CTS on NHTSA's books: 65 complaints (56% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

65

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other CTS years?

CTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted450 complaints2003: 450 complaints2004: 294 complaints2005: 396 complaints2006: 371 complaints2007: 314 complaints2008: 252 complaints2009: 222 complaints2010: 101 complaints2011: 148 complaints2012: 81 complaints2013: 106 complaints2014: 196 complaints2015: 65 complaints2016: 47 complaints2017: 32 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 16 complaints
CTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1929%
Brakes812%
Other711%
Electrical System711%
Engine58%
Suspension58%
Speed Control46%
Tires & Wheels46%
Steering35%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%
Seats12%

Does the 2015 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

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

26V329000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 4,125 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

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.

15V358000BrakesJune 9, 2015 · 2,163 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Consequence

If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2015 Cadillac CTS Luxury, 81k miles, rear differential has metal chunks in its fluid and makes load roaring sound. Dealership mecahnics said that the differential dailing that early is a known issue, and if it had progressed rhe differential would have seized up and the rear tires would have locked…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 24, 2022

“WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 10, 2018 · crash

“CUE SCREEN BEGINS SHAKING AND TOUCH SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. THIS SCREEN CONTROLS HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, NAVIGATION, PHONE, SETTINGS. I HAD IT REPLACED AT 26,053 MILES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND AT 63,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY, IT IS DOING THE SAME THING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 20, 2019

“APRIL 4, 2018 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS IS MY RECOLLECTION AT DISCOVERING THAT MY CADILLAC CTS 2015 GOT ON FIRE AT MY FRIENDS HOME IN SHELBY MICHIGAN ON MARCH 25TH, 2018. ON MARCH 24TH MY WIFE (LOURDES ROBLES) AND I ARRIVED AT OUR FRIENDS HOME AT 48307 RED OAK IN SHELBY MICHIGAN TO CELEBRATE OUR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2018 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 13, 2015

2015 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2015 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 65 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CTS year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2015 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (19 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2015 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Cadillac CTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.