Cadillac CTS
The 2019 Cadillac CTS offers a 5-star safety rating and a potent 3.6L V6, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict, driven by powertrain and engine complaints, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2014 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | wagon | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| 2018 | wagon | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | Automatic | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| 2017 | wagon | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | Automatic | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2016 | wagon | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2015 | wagon | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2014 | wagon | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2013 | wagon | 8 | 6.2 | Regular | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2012 | wagon | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2011 | wagon | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | Keyless ignition | Steering location | Seat rows | GVWR | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | — | — | — | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 114.6 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 114.6 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 114.5 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 388 | 13.7 | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 | 1643 | 58 | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | blindSpotMonitoring | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | nhtsaSafetyRatings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2019 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 5, Rated vehicle: 2019 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2017 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 5, Rated vehicle: 2017 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 5, Rated vehicle: 2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | 2014 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rated vehicle: 2014 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | 2013 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rated vehicle: 2013 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | 2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rated vehicle: 2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD |
| 2011 | — | — | — | 4 | 2011 Cadillac CTS SW AWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2011 Cadillac CTS SW AWD |
Model year reports
2019
NewestThe 2019 Cadillac CTS offers a 5-star safety rating and a potent 3.6L V6, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict, driven by powertrain and engine complaints, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
2018
The 2018 Cadillac CTS presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to critical electric power steering (EPS) failures.
2017
The 2017 Cadillac CTS presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2016
The 2016 Cadillac CTS presents a below-average reliability profile, with significant concerns around its electric power steering (EPS) system and electrical components.
2015
The 2015 Cadillac CTS presents a compelling performance package, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict demands a cautious approach for used buyers.
2014
The 2014 Cadillac CTS is a performance-oriented sedan with a 'Below Average' reliability rating.
2013
The 2013 Cadillac CTS is rated as below average for reliability, with significant concerns regarding its electrical system and powertrain.
2012
The 2012 Cadillac CTS presents a below-average reliability profile, with significant concerns surrounding its braking system and electrical components.
2011
The 2011 Cadillac CTS earns a 'Below Average' reliability verdict, primarily due to significant safety-critical issues concerning **air bags** and the **power train**.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Cadillac CTS?
Carfocal currently has 9 published CTS reports, covering 2011 through 2019. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2019 Cadillac CTS offers a 5-star safety rating and a potent 3.6L V6, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict, driven by powertrain and engine complaints, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Is the Cadillac CTS reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Cadillac CTS. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2019 cadillac cts offers a 5-star safety rating and a potent 3.6l v6, but its 'below average' reliability verdict, driven by powertrain and engine complaints, demands careful pre-purchase inspection. and the 2019 cadillac cts can represent good value if purchased at a significant discount, reflecting its 'below average' reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
9 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Cadillac CTS?
Carfocal answers common-problem questions in the year-specific reports. Published guides currently cover 2011 through 2019.
Problem patterns will populate as repair-prediction coverage expands.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 9
- Years tracked
- 9
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints