Which year to buy
Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest
Newest we'd buy2019The latest year rated a good buy
AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad
Be careful2014–2015, 2017More problems; check the recalls were done
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
85 serious complaints of 108, the most about air bags (25) and power train (25); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 14v341000 (air bags, power train) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the parts needed were unavailable for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Mar 2015
“The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Sep 2023
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Impala; 2008, 2011-2012 MY… (GCUS-9-939, Sep 2015)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal;… (GCUS-9-1009, Oct 2015)
- Extended coverage Special Coverage Adjustment - Superchasrger Warranty Extension - Equipped with 6.2L V8 Engine (LSA) (13313, May 2014)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles, equipped with a 6.2l v8 engine (lsa), may have a condition where the engines supercharger may not function as designed. 13313 - special coverage. (G-192624, May 2014)
- Extended coverage On some 2011 model year cadillac cts-v vehicles, the pcv hose may crack. 15317 - special coverage. (15317, Aug 2015)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
108 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14–21 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl; 3.6L 6-cyl; 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged · Drive: AWD, RWD
2011 CTS trims
| Base | Luxury | Perfomance | Performance | Premium | Sport Appearance Package | V |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Cadillac reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Cadillac aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | AWD, RWD | 19–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 0 | 10 | Power train (3) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | AWD, RWD | 19–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 2 | 8 | Power train (3) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | AWD, RWD | 18–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 2 | 27 | Power train (9) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | AWD, RWD | 19–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 31 | Electrical system (10) | Yes |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged manual available | AWD, RWD | 14–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 48 | Power train (19) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl turbo 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged manual available | AWD, RWD | 14–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 146 | Power train (84) | No |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged manual available | AWD, RWD | 14–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 73 | Electrical system (26) | No |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged manual available | AWD, RWD | 14–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 67 | Exterior lighting (10) | No |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged manual available | AWD, RWD | 14–21 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 108 | Air bags (25) | No |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl manual available | AWD, RWD | 19–22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 0 | — | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: CTS 2016–2019 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 8 |
| 2018 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 8 |
| 2018 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 27 |
| 2017 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 27 |
| 2017 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 21 |
| 2016 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 31 |
| 2016 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 31 |
| 2016 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 3 | 30 |
| 2015 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 48 |
| 2015 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 48 |
| 2015 | Cadillac CTS-V 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 46 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS SW AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS SW RWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 6 | 146 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 7 | 138 |
| 2014 | Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 7 | 138 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS SW AWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS SW RWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2013 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 73 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS SW AWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS SW RWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2012 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 67 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS SW RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2011 | Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 108 |
| 2010 | Cadillac CTS 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 67 |
| 2010 | Cadillac CTS 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | CTS | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
19–25 |
| 2019 | CTS AWD | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21–24 |
| 2018 | CTS | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
19–25 |
| 2018 | CTS AWD | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
22–24 |
| 2017 | CTS | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
18–25 |
| 2017 | CTS AWD | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
22–24 |
| 2016 | CTS Sedan | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
19–25 |
| 2016 | CTS Sedan AWD | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
22–24 |
| 2015 | CTS | Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–16 |
| 2015 | CTS Sedan | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
18–24 |
| 2015 | CTS Sedan AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21–22 |
| 2014 | CTS | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2014 | CTS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 21 |
| 2014 | CTS Sedan | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo |
18–23 |
| 2014 | CTS Sedan AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21–22 |
| 2014 | CTS Wagon | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2014 | CTS Wagon AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21 |
| 2013 | CTS | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2013 | CTS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
| 2013 | CTS Wagon | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2013 | CTS Wagon AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
| 2012 | CTS | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2012 | CTS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21 |
| 2012 | CTS Wagon | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2012 | CTS Wagon AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21 |
| 2011 | CTS | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2011 | CTS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
| 2011 | CTS Wagon | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg |
14–21 |
| 2011 | CTS Wagon AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
| 2010 | CTS | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
19–22 |
| 2010 | CTS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
| 2010 | CTS Wagon | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
21–22 |
| 2010 | CTS Wagon AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.