2010 Cadillac Cts

Routine

Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
56,000 milesMedian miles at failure

41 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags15
101
Electrical System10
112
Engine7
000
Structure › Body5
000
Power Train5
000
Unknown or Other4
001
Steering3
000
Service Brakes3
000
Exterior Lighting3
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V394000
Filed Jul 2, 2014554,328 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Rear11V089000
Filed Feb 11, 201144,147 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment10V414000
Filed Sep 13, 201020,224 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 20, 2025OH

All of a sudden when I started my car, the lights flickered constantly, the power steering failed, and it blew my starter and fairly new battery. I was so scared; I thought it was going to catch on fire because it smelled burnt. And I was on [XXX] in Hubbard Ohio, and I was trying to get to [XXX] and safety to which I did. THANK Goodness for AAA. I was told this happened because of a plug in wiring to heat or warm the washer fluid. It is available for inspection. My safety was impacted because, I had no power steering, flickering lights and smell of burnt stuff. My problem was fixed by an independent shop. My vehicle was not inspected by a GM dealer or my insurance. Was inspected by an independent shop that it was towed to. Warnings prior to incident: I would turn the ignition and nothing. But that would only happen several weeks apart. I thought maybe the starter was going, but it was odd because it was so many weeks far apart that it would happen. It might have been a total of 4 times since October of 2024. During the incident, power steering warning came on, charging system came on and the car sounded like it was barely running. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Sep 30, 2024NE

Airbag warning light and Service Air Bag on dash. Code B0087-00 Left Rear SIS. Replaced sensor, still getting warning. Sensor is in LR door. Research revealed possible known issue with bending fatigue from routine door open/close motion and subpar wire size/material causing wire failure. Opened wire harness at pillar and green/black wire was completely separated at typical bending point. Light blue wire was not visibly broken (insulation still intact) but the wire within was broken upon removal of insulation. These are the two wires (light blue and green/black) to the impact sensor. Please investigate GM use of substandard or undersize wiring in entire SRS system especially at bending fatigue potential failure points. Three pictures attached - one picture showing initial finding of green/black broken wire but light blue still visibly intact (insulation only), one picture showing same in close up, one picture showing both wires are not intact (light blue wire was inspected further and determined insulation intact but wire within was not intact) and insulated separated with fingernail pressure only. Wires should not fail within typical lifetime of a vehicle. Uncertain on operation of system, but could short between two wires and/or grounding cause airbag to deploy without accident/at random causing personal injury to occupants and/or an accident because of random deployment? Date of incident is when wiring issue was discovered and pictures taken upon discovery.

Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2024LA

I took my car 1200 Moss St., bingo alignment, and two weeks after my alignment my steering wheel shipped and I bought it over to the shop and told them that they did not talk to the school down on my control arms and the lady told me to get off of her premises and get out and I think that’s not right she did not on her warranty and I called the police to get an incident report and she just was belligerent and pull guns on me and do all kind of crazy stuff. I would like to have someone investigate her please

Engine
Filed Nov 21, 2023CO

Engine warning light on. Diagnosed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado as Po008 code Bank one engine timing off. Further diagnosed as faulty engine cam chain. Advised not to drive car. Car available for inspection. Not being driven. Safety put at risk by possible major engine failure during use. Problem confirmed by two other repair facilities. Engine warning light on for several months. Problem confirmed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado. Taken there at the request of Cadillac customer service phone 800 333 4223. Contact at Cadillac customer service Miguel ext 591 6218. Given case #[XXX] Vehicle inspected by Mike Maroon Cadillac at the request of Miguel at Cadillac customer service. Inspection done at owners expense. Cadillac customer service not returning calls. Owners contact # [XXX] Mike Maroon Cadillac contact, Dave 303 442 3160 R/o #[XXX] Do not have capability to upload files. Will fax upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2023VA

Passenger presence module malfunction is intermittent. When the malfunction occurs there is a warning light plus "Service Airbag" on the instrument panel. Sometimes the light and warning go off after several minutes, sometimes stays on for days. In Virginia presence of this warning during an annual safety inspection is considered a failure. The vehicle in question is a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V with heated/cooled Recaro seats. Dealership has confirmed that the issue is the module but says the module is not available or on backorder (for years). Issue was first reported to dealer in 2018 and again in 2022 with no resolution. Estimated repair cost is in excess of $1500.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 14, 2023CA

Every time it rains, the inside of my vehicle floods through the ceiling and floors. This is a manufacture defect that is outside of my control. This is a safety issue because it causes mold and mildew in the vehicle which is a hazard to inhale. I'm also concerned that the possibility exist for an electrical hazard.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 9, 2023IN

Diag: DIAGNOSIS c/s service air bag error message on display. Code DTC B0014- Driver side air bag deployment loop- high resistance. Could not get repaired. Per Dealership the part needed is "discontinued". Non- working airbags are a huge concern. I think that parts for airbags should have to be produced if a vehicle needs serviced for such a problem! The vehicle is in excellent condition overall and should last many more years but this very much needed part for safety isn't even available! That is not right!!! No accident or incident has occurred but this issue is very much a concern.

Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2023TN

Timing chain broke at 66,900 miles causing motor failure.

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2023CO

A black bolt in my steering column fell out onto my floormat and a second bolt was very loose, getting ready to fall out. The steering column just needs to be adjusted - recalibrated. No parts needed, very little time. Foundation Cadillac, Denver Colorado is charging me for diagnostics for bolts. Having my steering column fall would have been a huge safety issue. I need some help getting Foundation to adjust the steering column at no cost to me. My Cadillac is Out of Warranty.

Engine
Filed Feb 9, 2023123,000 milesCO

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. Additionally, the RPM and power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 2, 2021TX

There needs to be a better system on alerting used car buyers. When I purchased my car from Carvana used in 2017 at 83k-ish miles, I had no idea that there was an extended 10 yr/120k warranty on some models of GM vehicles. I have been experiencing issues with my car and just learning 1 yr and 30k miles too late that there were known issues, and that my issues most likely were related to the timing chain. Timing chains aren't generally something that wear out by 100k - had I been made aware of that when I purchased the car, then that would have been the first course of action. I checked the VIN, no recalls, but no extended warranty alerts either. Anyone else having issues would not have known other year models were experiencing problems that could have affected different year models as well. I have researched my cars issues and I have taken it to mechanics- even to a Chevrolet dealer when I first bought it. Absolutely no mention of this, until I just happened to stumble on a Cadillac forum post from 2019 at 1 am 6/2/2021. Now I am the almost owner of a car that books out at maybe $5k with over $2k worth of work that is needed. It sits while I make payments. With all the technology, there should be some way for car dealerships to have to give a new owner any updated information regarding any vehicle related to the one they are purchasing.

Power Train
Filed Aug 6, 202088,123 milesWA

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 ON MY CAR AND SO MANY PEOPLE SEAM TO HAVE THE EXACT SE PROBLEM AS I AM.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 7, 2020WA

IN JANUARY CHEVROLET BURIEN DID SERVICING ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AFTER 3 WEEKS OF THEM HAVING IT; THEY GAVE IT TO ME WITH A FLAT TIRE WITH SEVERAL STUDS IN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THERE WAS AN INCH OF WATER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I REQUESTED MANAGEMENT AND THEY DENIED ME AND FORCED ME TO MOVE MY VEHICLE OFF THE PROPERTY IN FEAR OF MY LIFE. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE ARE NO LONGER USABLE. THERE WAS MOLD ALL OVER THE INSIDE THAT SERIOUSLY EFFECTED MY ASTHMA. THEIR MANAGEMENT STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ABOUT REMEDYING THIS ISSUE. THEY ALSO DAMAGED MY GLOVE BOX SO THAT THE WATER THAT THEY LET LEAK INTO MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T 'BUILD UP' AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE SO THEY WERE COMPLETELY AWARE THAT THEY WERE LETTING MY CAR FLOOD WHILE STORING IT.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 10, 2020134,000 milesTX

FRONT AIR BAGS LIGHT COME ON A FRON IMPACT SENSOR FSIL

Power Train
Filed Oct 19, 2019128,550 milesFL

2010 CADILLAC CTS4 PREMIUM 3.6 WAGON I REPLACED THE REAR PROP SHAFT OF THE AWD SYSTEM IN JANUARY 2018. I NOW AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR PROP SHAFT YET AGAIN, NOT 2 YEARS LATER. I BELIEVE THE DRIVESHAFT CARRIER BEARING IS FAILING AGAIN (SAME AS BEFORE)! WITH APPROXIMATELY 49K MILES ON IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THIS SAME ITEM AGAIN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE, I NOW BELIEVE GM HAS NO CLUE TO MAKE A RELIABLE AWD VEHICLE. WORST CAR EVER.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 7, 2019118,000 milesNJ

THIS RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY CALAREMI CADILLAC, BUDD LAKE, NJ. THE CAR IS THERE RIGHT NOW.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 2019RI

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ON DASH AND RED AIR BAG SYMBOL IS SHOWING ON THE DASH BOARD

Structure › Body
Filed May 21, 2019110,100 milesFL

MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY WAGON HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR DUE TO POOR DESIGN. SPOKE WITH CADILLAC & GM, BOTH REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT'S A DESIGN FLAW ON THE WAGON MODELS. BOTH STATED CAR OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE/YEAR. ASKED IF THEY COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS USED TO ATTACH LAMPS TO VEHICLE, NEITHER HAS A CLUE. DEALER WANTS $2100 TO REPLACE, BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE JANUARY 2019, CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR CAR NOT STARTING ON 1ST TRY. FIRST TIME, NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TIGHTENED, 2ND TIME REPLACED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, 3RD TIME DEALER HAS NO IDEA AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH COME ON, ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER WHILE PARKED. IT WILL START ON THE 2ND TRY, SOMETIMES IT HESITATES. DEALER TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR UNTIL VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN.

Air Bags
Filed May 1, 2019114,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE WILLEY AUTOMOTIVE (2840 IOWA ST, LAWRENCE, KS 66046, (785) 727-1124) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. SAFETY CONCERN WITH AIRBAG CONCERN WITH AIRBAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.*JB

Engine
Filed Nov 13, 201829,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN AT A SLOW SPEED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARCIA CADILLAC (6401 SAN MATEO BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, (505) 837-5200), BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE AT A VERY LOW SPEED BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A FAULTY RELAY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

20 of 67 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201910000Routine
20188200Routine
201727200Routine
201631410Routine
201547320Routine
2014146600Routine
201373200Routine
201265200Routine
2011101230Routine
2010 — this page67310Routine
2009167503Fatalities reported
2008175230Routine
2007217660Above average
2006269621Fatalities reported
2005277642Fatalities reported
2004224610Above average
20033134120Above average

Compare every Cts year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 2, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.