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2016 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

31 reports
15,053 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. A HOWLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE REAR END DIFERENTIAL INTERNAL BEARING FAILURE AND METAL DEBRI NO CONSEQUENCE, VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH A HOWLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. A HOWLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE REAR END DIFERENTIAL INTERNAL BEARING FAILURE AND METAL DEBRI NO CONSEQUENCE, VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH A HOWLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PARKWAY CADILLAC VALENCIA, 24055 CREEKSIDE RD, SANTA CLARITA, CA 91355, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL BEARING FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,053.

NHTSA ODI #11308790

43,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesFire

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2019 A…

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THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2019 AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2019

NHTSA ODI #11307353

7,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE SIGNAL INDICATOR HANDLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD LEATHER WAS CURLING AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING NOISE WHILE REVERSING. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE SIGNAL INDICATOR HANDLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD LEATHER WAS CURLING AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING NOISE WHILE REVERSING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONKLIN FANGMAN CADILLAC (3200 MAIN ST, LOT B, KANSAS CITY, MO 64111, (816) 714-7654) WHERE THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11265320

115,000 miles · Sep 28, 2019
Power Train

CAR HAS JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY. PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHEN I GOT IT BACK I COULD HEAR A YANG YANG NOISE LIKE I HAD A BAD TIRE, IN THE MEAN TIME ON STAR SENT A NOTICE THAT THE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD AT ANY SPEED. SO NOW I HAVE TO SPEND $4000 FOR C…

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CAR HAS JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY. PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHEN I GOT IT BACK I COULD HEAR A YANG YANG NOISE LIKE I HAD A BAD TIRE, IN THE MEAN TIME ON STAR SENT A NOTICE THAT THE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD AT ANY SPEED. SO NOW I HAVE TO SPEND $4000 FOR CAR REPAIRS FOR A CAR NOT QUITE 3 YEARS OLD? NEED A BREAK, DISCOUNT OR SOMETHING. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11258688

12,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Electrical System

I BOUGHT THE CAR AS NEW WITH 6711 MILES. AROUND 12000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM 6-28-17 TO 8-19-17. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DOWN,NO CELLS, CAN'T BE CHARGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED EACH TIME. DEALER AND GM COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. NO FEE…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR AS NEW WITH 6711 MILES. AROUND 12000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM 6-28-17 TO 8-19-17. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DOWN,NO CELLS, CAN'T BE CHARGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED EACH TIME. DEALER AND GM COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. NO FEEDBACK FROM THEM. DEALER KEPT THE CAR FROM 8-19-17 UNTIL 11-1-17. STILL NO VALID EXPLANATION THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11043114

17,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE AND THE WHEELS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FAULKNER CHEVROLET (298 STOKE PARK ROAD BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 (866) 457-4666) FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEELS AND REA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE AND THE WHEELS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FAULKNER CHEVROLET (298 STOKE PARK ROAD BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 (866) 457-4666) FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEELS AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WERE BENT DUE TO DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM. THE WHEELS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINE- NOT SNAPPED IN PROPERLY AS PER REPAIR. THE TIRES WERE FOUND 3 OUT OF WHEEL PHYSICALLY BENT, AFTER INSPECTION OF A RUMBLE NOISE ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 7/17/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #11022821

6,968 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ALL LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE, ACCELERATOR STUCK AND FUEL SHUT OFF WHEN GOING HARD ON BRAKE DID NOT WORK REQUIRING SNIT INTO NEUTRAL, MANY OTHER ISSUES. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES IN SERVICE OVER 40+ DAYS SI…

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STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ALL LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE, ACCELERATOR STUCK AND FUEL SHUT OFF WHEN GOING HARD ON BRAKE DID NOT WORK REQUIRING SNIT INTO NEUTRAL, MANY OTHER ISSUES. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES IN SERVICE OVER 40+ DAYS SINCE NOVEMBER 2016. NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. CUE SCREEN REPLACED MURIOPLE TIMES AS WELL BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND EVEN AIR CONDITIONING SWITCHING TO HEAT, WINDOWS RANDOMLY ROLLING DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, SPEEDOMETER GOES OFF AND THEN COMES BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. TOO MANY ISSUES TO NAME, GM/CADILLAC HAS REFUSED A PROPER REPURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AND IS STATING THEY WANT A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST THEM IN ORDER TO GIVE A FAIR SETTLEMENT AS THEY ARE WANTING ME TO PAY LARGER THAN NORMAL DEPRECIATION ON A NON-WORKING VEHICLE IN A REPURCHASE AGREEMENT. THESE ISSUES ARE LIFE THREATENING AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO NOTE THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND ACTUALLY SELL IT TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER. THEY ARE NOW ADVISING (GM EXECUTIVE OFFICE) THE DEALER TO PUT THAT THEY ARE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN" ON ALL FURTHER SERVICE VISITS SHOULD I RETURN HOWEVER I AM NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS IS NOT SOLVING LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS BUT ACTUALLY COVERING THEM UP. COME TO FIND OUT THEY EVEN SERVICED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AS NEW THAT THEY PREFORMED SERVICE ON SOME OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I WAS HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #11022147

8,000 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHEN YOU ENTER AN ADDRESS INTO THE NAVIGATION AND SAVE IT INTO CONTACTS. IT RE- REOUTES YOU TO A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE STATED ADDRESS. IT SHOWS THE LOCATOR PIN ON THE CORRECT ADDRESS, BUT YOU ARE TAKEN TO A LOCATION MORE THAN 1/2 MILE AWAY (AS THE CROW FLIES) IN A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH CADI…

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WHEN YOU ENTER AN ADDRESS INTO THE NAVIGATION AND SAVE IT INTO CONTACTS. IT RE- REOUTES YOU TO A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE STATED ADDRESS. IT SHOWS THE LOCATOR PIN ON THE CORRECT ADDRESS, BUT YOU ARE TAKEN TO A LOCATION MORE THAN 1/2 MILE AWAY (AS THE CROW FLIES) IN A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH CADILLAC TO FIX IT BUT THEY CAN NOT (OR WILL NOT)

NHTSA ODI #11018960

13,857 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN AT LATIN MOTORS (3175 NW 37TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33142). THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FREON, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER NOT TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN AT LATIN MOTORS (3175 NW 37TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33142). THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FREON, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER NOT TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING USED IN A HOT CLIMATE STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,857.

NHTSA ODI #11014256

100 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FADE IN AND OUT WITHOUT WARNING, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY WAS INCORRECT, AND A TAPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RYDELL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC OF GRAND FORKS (LOCATED AT 2700 S WASHINGTON ST., GRAND FORKS, ND 58201 (701) 772-7211), BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.

NHTSA ODI #10992913

Official recalls

4

26V329000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 21, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

25V175000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 20, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

19V086000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Feb 7, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V595000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Sep 7, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.