2016 Cadillac Cts

Routine

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train8
000
Electrical System8
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Wheels2
000
Suspension2
000
Steering2
000
Engine2
000
Air Bags2
000
Structure › Body › Door › Handle › Interior1
001
Service Brakes1
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module26V329000
Filed May 21, 20265,014 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System25V175000
Filed Mar 20, 2025934 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System19V086000
Filed Feb 7, 201926,772 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

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.

Risk. 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.

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler18V595000
Filed Sep 7, 201852,867 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Dec 8, 202593,942 milesCA

The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 16, 2025PA

Message "Shift to Park" even though the car is already in Park, preventing shutting down the car.

Structure › Body › Door › Handle › Interior1 injured
Filed Apr 29, 202520,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece. The contact stated that the occupant was stabbed in the back of the right arm. No medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on all four of the door panels and the glove compartment had been replaced several times. The contact stated the glove compartment carbon fiber optic piece was replaced three times. In addition, the contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on each door panel had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 1, 2025FL

The passenger side airbag stays illuminated after the vehicle is started and continues to stay on as the vehicle is driven, never going off. General Motors have not issued a recall on this safety problem with the 2016 Cadillac CTS. My [XXX] address [XXX] . My phone number is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Feb 26, 202549,790 milesFL

The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,790.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 29, 2024TN

Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.

Power Train
Filed Jan 3, 2024IL

Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.

Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 202360,000 milesAL

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the rear end of the vehicle lowered. There was an abnormal roaring noise detected from the wheels. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the failure was due to the run flat tires. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the differential was not properly lubricated; and informed him not to drive the vehicle. The parts to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 2022FL

Torque converter shudders and jerks abruptly. There’s trouble slowing down at times and it has a difficult time shifting up or shifting down i gears.

Power Train
Filed Jun 23, 2022PA

I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty and it is now worse outside of warranty! #2 Adaptive cruise has also been reported multiple times and I have paid to get both front sensors replaced. Only to have the issue continue. The dash will show a car is in the path, but there is a 2-3 second delay before car starts to slow down. Often brakes do not engage and the alarms just go off. I have driven a loaner car of similar years and they do not operate the same. This car is an outlier.

Power Train
Filed Jun 12, 2022CT

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 been with the dealer for the past 2 months. No warning lights or signals.

Power Train
Filed Apr 22, 2022CT

The component that failed was the rear differential. I had to pull over on a grassy area on the merrit parkway which put my safety at risk. The component has been inspected by the dealer. No warning lamps appeared. I heard a whining sound and a grinding noise.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 29, 2021MA

The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No

Electrical System
Filed Aug 29, 2021TN

CUE screen is “cracked”. Can no longer see about 1/2 of back up camera screen. Barely missed backing into my neighbors car.

Power Train
Filed Jul 11, 2021NC

A known issue. “Clutch slow to fill” is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be fixed with an “update” but tried to charge over $300 for the “update” when it is a defect that should have been fixed under warranty for free or have a recall.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 1, 2021IN

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 that had a $64,000 price tag.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 28, 202048,000 milesNJ

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 WENT AWAY. IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.

Power Train
Filed Nov 7, 202030,000 milesCA

WHEN I ACCELERATED THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO REV WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE I WAS NOT MOVING. RPM CONTINUED TO GO UP BUT NO POWER. OTHER TIMES A VIG BUMP IS FELT WHEN I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS FOR A KOMENT AND WHEN I PLACE IT BACK ON TO ACCELERATE THE BIG BUMP IS FELT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO CADILLAC SEVICE TWICE AND BOTH TIMES TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT IT DID NOT DIX THE PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 8, 202023,000 milesMD

THE CADILLAC CUE DISPLAY FOR RADIO, INFO, HVAC, NAV, ETC. HAS BEGUN TO CRACK (AKA SPIDERWEB CRACKS) WHICH HAS NO MADE THE TOUCH SCREEN UNUSABLE AND BEGUN TO DEGRADE VEHICLE CA0PABILITY. THE DISPLAY FREQUENTLY BLINKS AND MAKES EMITS RANDOM AUDIO TONES BOTH OF WHICH ARE VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.

Wheels
Filed Jul 3, 202048,000 milesOH

AT 45MPH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SHUDDERS. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. I'VE CHECKED IT ON VERY SMOOTH ROADS TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE CONDITON OF THE ROAD CAUSING THE SHUDDER. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS, IT SHIFTS VERY HARD AS IF BEING BUMPED IN THE REAR. I HAD IT CHECKED AND I'M TOLD IT MAY BE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT NOT SURE. THE ORIGINAL TIRES ARE ON THE CAR AND AT 48 THOUSAND MILES THEY HAVE WORN EVEN. I'VE HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND THE FRONT WHEELS BALANCED. THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201910000Routine
20188200Routine
201727200Routine
2016 — this page31410Routine
201547320Routine
2014146600Routine
201373200Routine
201265200Routine
2011101230Routine
201067310Routine
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: May 21, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.