The Lemon Index
2006
20081st generation
About average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 BMW 3 Series 1502007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2007 Lexus IS 115
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2007 Cadillac CTS
- Timing chain14 complaintsmostly at 80,000–130,000 miles (129,000–209,000 km)
- Engine stalling13 complaintsmostly at 4,800–86,000 miles (7,800–138,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion9 complaintsmostly at 40,000–110,000 miles (64,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 218 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Cadillac CTS (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,800 and 27,000 miles (7,800–43,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V394000 (electrical) and 10V644000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 881 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent unwanted downshift, no upshift 5l40e/5l50e”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 45 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 27K miles (8K to 43K km) on the car (27 of all 45 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2007 Cadillac CTS have a bad brake system. Consumer states that the pads and rotors are rusted with only 27k miles.
2007 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10262288
More owner reports
2007 Cadillac CTS has issues with the clutch and flywheel. Consumer states that gm indicated that the clutch, flywheel and actuator burnt out due to driver wear and tear.
NHTSA complaint 10262310
2007 Cadillac CTS with several brake problems. Consumer states he has experienced partial brake failure three times. He states that mechanic stated they couldn't find a problem. Brake problems continue.
NHTSA complaint 10222848
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 881 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent unwanted downshift, no upshift 5l40e/5l50e
- Fluid leak condition
- Rear axle pinion seal leak products
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Airbags · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUS…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
- Body structure · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, 'POWER OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS.' UNDER THE STANDARD, THE SUNROOF MAY ONLY BE CLOSED WHEN …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedIee passenger sensing system mats2011
- ClosedFailure of the rear differential2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,700 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2007" title="Cadillac CTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-cts/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Cadillac CTS reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac CTS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2007 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), brakes (27%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Cadillac CTS have?
6 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Cadillac CTS get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,800 and 27,000 miles (7,800–43,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2007 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2007 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Cadillac CTS have?
2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Cadillac CTS year than the 2007?
Not nearby: the 2007 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Cadillac CTS years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works