Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
49 serious complaints of 73, the most about power train (13) and air bags (11); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be shifted into reverse and had difficulty stopping. The vehicle was taken to capitol cadillac where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective due to a leak and needed to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Jun 2017
“The contact owned a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, the contact crashed into a deer which caused an air bag deployment message; the air bags were not deployed. The contact stated only an odd smelling powder emitted from the air bag location.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, May 2021
Fixes and extended coverage
- 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 Special Coverage Adjustment - Superchasrger Warranty Extension - Equipped with 6.2L V8 Engine (LSA) (13313, May 2014)
- Repair program 14515 - customer satisfaction program (stop delivery expansion). (14515, Dec 2014)
- 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)
- Repair program Certain vehicles may have a condition that if involved in a non-deployment crash may not automatically activate any post-crash actions, including an automatic crash response (acr) call from onstar, door unlock, interior lamp illumination, hazard lamp activation, hvac blower shutdown, and fuel pump… (15404, Nov 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.
73 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14–21 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2013 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
2013 CTS trims
| Base | Luxury | Performance | Premium | 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.