Cadillac CTS — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 4 to watch and 6 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution4 years

Best bets6 years

Complaint history

2003: 313 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 224 complaints, Caution 2005: 277 complaints, Caution 2006: 269 complaints, Caution 2006 2007: 217 complaints, Caution 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2009: 167 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 67 complaints, Recommended 2011: 101 complaints, Recommended 2012: 65 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 73 complaints, Recommended 2014: 145 complaints, Recommended 2015: 47 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 31 complaints, Recommended 2017: 27 complaints, Not enough data 2018: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2019: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2003 · 313
2003: 313 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 224 complaints, Caution 2005: 277 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 269 complaints, Caution 2007: 217 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2009: 167 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 67 complaints, Recommended 2011: 101 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 65 complaints, Recommended 2013: 73 complaints, Recommended 2013 2014: 145 complaints, Recommended 2015: 47 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 31 complaints, Recommended 2017: 27 complaints, Not enough data 2017 2018: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2019: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2019 2003 · 313
2003: 313 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 224 complaints, Caution 2004 2005: 277 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 269 complaints, Caution 2006 2007: 217 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 167 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 67 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 101 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 65 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 73 complaints, Recommended 2013 2014: 145 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 47 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 31 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 27 complaints, Not enough data 2017 2018: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2019: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2019 2003 · 313
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2019 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2018 ○ Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2017 ○ Not enough data 27 Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2015 ▲ Recommended 47 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2014 ● Recommended 145 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2013 ▲ Recommended 73 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2012 ▲ Recommended 65 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2011 ▲ Recommended 101 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 67 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ● Recommended 167 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 175 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 217 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ◆ Caution 269 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2005 ◆ Caution 277 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 ◆ Caution 224 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 313 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

27

recalls on file across every Cadillac CTS model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Cadillac models