The Lemon Index
201520173rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,911 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 BMW 3 Series 352016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 542016 Audi A4 35
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V329000 (airbags), 25V175000 (steering) and 19V086000 (steering) done? It has 4 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 oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 1577 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…”?
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 9 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 6K to 13K miles (11K to 22K km) on the car (9 of all 9 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.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1577 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- If a vehicle comes into the dealership with a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
- Steering · recall issued 2025
The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
- Steering · recall issued 2019
The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Show all 4 recalls
- 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.
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 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac CTS-V 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$4,400 (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, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,911 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (44%), engine (33%) and transmission & drivetrain (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac CTS get?
17 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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.
Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). 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