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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.
2014CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly power train and suspension Extended coverage
117 serious complaints of 146, the most about power train (84) and suspension (17); per car on the road, 1.7× this model's usual year. 6 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH, he heard an abnormal loud roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. However, the parts were not available.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, May 2022
“The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the rear axle, rear differential, and another undisclosed warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Aug 2026
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Some vehicles equipped with a 2.0L turbo engine, may have a condition where a wire within the exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid valve may break. Special Coverage. (18369, Nov 2018)
- Extended coverage N192210220 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause bearings in the engine supercharger to emit an excessive rattling or knocking noise that is especially prominent at idle. (A low-level mechanical thrumming noise from the supercharger at idle by… (N192210220, Jul 2019)
- Extended coverage For vehicles equipped with a haptic seat option (rpo ufl or uhx) and a non-motorized seat belt retractor (rpo ax7), the airbag warning light may be illuminated due to a potential fault with the drivers side diagnosable buckle switch. 44240 - special coverage. (44240, Jun 2016)
- Repair program On certain 2014 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with a 3.6L twin-turbo engine (LF3), the engine control module wiring harness may rub on the metal edge of the alternator bracket or on a weld on the vehicle body rail. Dealers are to inspect and, if necessary, repair the wire harness. (14189, Feb 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)
- 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.
146 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14–23 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2014 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: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 3.0L 6-cyl; 3.6L 6-cyl; 3.6L 6-cyl turbo; 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged · Drive: AWD, RWD
2014 CTS trims
| Luxury | Performance | Premium | Standard | 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.