The Lemon Index
2013
20153rd generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2014 BMW 3 Series 532014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 442014 Lexus IS 48
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 26,000 miles (6,400–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 31 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 18V595000 (seats), 14V614000 (electrical) and 14V446000 (seats) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 2065 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “From rear differential, there is leaking, on some vehicles, due to pinion seal journal having…”?
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 31 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 26K miles (6K to 42K km) on the car (25 of all 31 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
2014 Cadillac CTS recalled for ignition problem. Customer is dissatisfied with recall remedy..
2014 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10653276
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 2065 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- From rear differential, there is leaking, on some vehicles, due to pinion seal journal having…
- Gmc/cadillac/chevrolet: after positioning shift lever into park, it fails to hold and vehicle…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Seats · recall issued 2018
The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Show all 6 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
- Visibility · recall issued 2014
If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump …
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac CTS SW AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac CTS SW RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$5,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2014 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 2014 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2014" 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/2014/">Lemon Index</a> (2014 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2014 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 88; 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 2014 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (23%), tires (13%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have?
6 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Cadillac CTS get?
14 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Cadillac CTS safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 26,000 miles (6,400–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2014 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 2014 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $5,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Cadillac CTS year than the 2014?
Not nearby: the 2014 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