VehicleVerdict

2016 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2016 Cadillac CTS is among the quieter years of the CTS on NHTSA's books: 47 complaints (68% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (10), transmission (9), and other (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

47

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other CTS years?

CTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1021%
Transmission919%
Other49%
Engine49%
Steering49%
Suspension49%
Body & Structure36%
Driver Assistance36%
Airbags24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Brakes12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

4 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.

25V175000SteeringMarch 20, 2025 · 934 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

19V086000SteeringFebruary 7, 2019 · 26,772 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.

Consequence

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 25, 2019 · fire

“The component that failed on my vehicle is the rear differential. My safety was put at risk by my vehicle hesitating on the highway where I lost speed and was almost rear ended. At that point I had to pull over onto a shoulder with grass to wait on the side of the highway for a tow. My vehicle has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 1, 2022

“WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 1, 2020

“Cracked CUE screen dealership states not covered under warranty and requesting $1700.00 to replace. My 2016 CTS has only 28,500 miles and has always been kept in the garage since I purchased it new in 2016. I truly feel GM should being covering the cost of replacement on this system on a vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 1, 2021

“WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 2020

2016 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 47 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CTS year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), transmission (9 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 Cadillac CTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.