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2019 Cadillac CTS Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ethan Miller

Complaint Summary

The 2019 Cadillac CTS has 16 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.8/ 10

Based on 16 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 18.8%

POWER TRAIN

3 18.8%

ENGINE

2 12.5%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 6.2%

SUSPENSION

1 6.2%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 18.8% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 11 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2019 Cadillac CTS

The 2019 Cadillac CTS has 16 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 19% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2019 Cadillac CTS are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3), POWER TRAIN (3), ENGINE (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 7 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2019 Cadillac CTS?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 CTS complaints2017 CTS complaints2016 CTS complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 11 of 11 systems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I LEASED A CADILLAC 2019 CTS IN DECEMBER 2018. THE CAR'S ENGINE ACCELERATES SPORADICALLY ON ITS OWN. IT HAPPENED TO ME APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED, DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND AS I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT. THREE SUCH EVENTS OCCURRED WITHIN TEN MINUTES WHILE INCHING MY WAY TO MERGE AND ENTER THE QUEEN'S MIDTOWN TUNNEL IN NY. EACH TIME I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR BY LEANING VERY HEAVILY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE DEALER UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR WAS IN HIS SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR OVER 20 DAYS. CADILLAC CLAIMS THAT THEY UNAWARE OF ANY SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE LATEST PROPOSAL THAT CADILLAC OFFERED IS TO INSTALL A DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE IN THE CAR WITH THE HOPE THAT THE FAULT WILL SHOW UP. IN THE MEANWHILE CADILLAC EXPECTS ME TO DRIVE THE CAR, ENDANGERING MYSELF, INNOCENT PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER FELLOW DRIVERS.

10/29/2019

My 2019 CTS Cadillac CUE screen shattered for no reason. I was not driving the car. I went out to the car on Thursday, May 27, 2021 and the screen had shattered over night. The system is still working but it is hard to see the screen. The car is leased and only has 20,586 miles. I have only had it 2 years and 5 months. Is this my responsibility to repair or is it covered by warranty?

5/31/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

3 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The vehicle hard shifts in low gear and at low speeds. The hard shifting makes the car hard to handle in slow speed situations such as parking lots. Because the car lurches forward unexpectedly, it poses a safety concern toward nearby pedestrians.

7/5/2022

The rear differential started making noise and growling. Upon draining the differential, we found a lot of metal debris. Upon reading on this issue, we found that Cadillac has had this issue with past models. It seems that the original G.M. part is no longer available. This could be a safety risk if the rear wheels are to lock up due to debris. It has not been confirmed by the dealer, the vehicle is out of warrantee at 91,000 miles.

11/17/2024

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ENGINE

2 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.

7/15/2021

I believe it’s the transmission it’s not changing gears like it supposed to only have 52,000 miles on the dash. It’s have to be defective. No Incident

4/30/2025

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM AUTO BOUTIQUE ON 10/15/19 WITH CAR FAX REPORT SHOWING NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THE CAR WE NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND A VIBRATION. WE WERE TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WENT ON 10/18/19 FOR MY APPT, WAS THERE 8 HOURS TO NO AVAIL, WAS TOLD VIBRATION WAS FROM A BENT RIM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CAR TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RITCHEY'S CADILLAC ON 10/25/19 AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE GAS TANK ISN'T SAFE, 3 BENT RIMS, THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND WERE NOT RESET PROPERLY, AND THIS WAS ONE CAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE CAME FROM REAR SUSPENSION BENT IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, ETC. I HAVE A REPORT FROM RICHIE'S CADILLAC STATING ABOVE, PLUS PICTURES AND A ESTIMATE TO FIX. I NOTIFIED AUTO BOUTIQUE THAT I WANTED TO RETURN CAR FRO REFUND BUT GOT THE RUN AROUND, ALL THEY SAID WAS ALL THERE CARS ARE SOLD AS IS, THE HAVE THE BUYERS GUIDE THAT IS SIGNED WITH NO BOXES CHECKED. THERE ARE NO SIGNS STATING CARS ARE SOLD AS IS. WE TRADED THE CAR IN ON A NEW VEHICLE AND ASKED FOR A REFUND FOR THE DIFFERENCE, $18,000, I WAS TOLD TO RETURN THE CAR AND THEY WOULD FIX THE ISSUES AND CALL ME WHEN IT WAS DONE, I STATED IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THAT BECAUSE I HAD TRADED IT FOR A NEW ONE BECAUSE IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE TO FIX, PHOTOS AND ALL PAPER WORK FROM THE SALE.

12/6/2019

SUSPENSION

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM AUTO BOUTIQUE ON 10/15/19 WITH CAR FAX REPORT SHOWING NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THE CAR WE NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND A VIBRATION. WE WERE TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WENT ON 10/18/19 FOR MY APPT, WAS THERE 8 HOURS TO NO AVAIL, WAS TOLD VIBRATION WAS FROM A BENT RIM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CAR TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RITCHEY'S CADILLAC ON 10/25/19 AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE GAS TANK ISN'T SAFE, 3 BENT RIMS, THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND WERE NOT RESET PROPERLY, AND THIS WAS ONE CAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE CAME FROM REAR SUSPENSION BENT IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, ETC. I HAVE A REPORT FROM RICHIE'S CADILLAC STATING ABOVE, PLUS PICTURES AND A ESTIMATE TO FIX. I NOTIFIED AUTO BOUTIQUE THAT I WANTED TO RETURN CAR FRO REFUND BUT GOT THE RUN AROUND, ALL THEY SAID WAS ALL THERE CARS ARE SOLD AS IS, THE HAVE THE BUYERS GUIDE THAT IS SIGNED WITH NO BOXES CHECKED. THERE ARE NO SIGNS STATING CARS ARE SOLD AS IS. WE TRADED THE CAR IN ON A NEW VEHICLE AND ASKED FOR A REFUND FOR THE DIFFERENCE, $18,000, I WAS TOLD TO RETURN THE CAR AND THEY WOULD FIX THE ISSUES AND CALL ME WHEN IT WAS DONE, I STATED IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THAT BECAUSE I HAD TRADED IT FOR A NEW ONE BECAUSE IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE TO FIX, PHOTOS AND ALL PAPER WORK FROM THE SALE.

12/6/2019

WHEELS

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM AUTO BOUTIQUE ON 10/15/19 WITH CAR FAX REPORT SHOWING NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THE CAR WE NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND A VIBRATION. WE WERE TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WENT ON 10/18/19 FOR MY APPT, WAS THERE 8 HOURS TO NO AVAIL, WAS TOLD VIBRATION WAS FROM A BENT RIM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CAR TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RITCHEY'S CADILLAC ON 10/25/19 AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE GAS TANK ISN'T SAFE, 3 BENT RIMS, THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND WERE NOT RESET PROPERLY, AND THIS WAS ONE CAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE CAME FROM REAR SUSPENSION BENT IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, ETC. I HAVE A REPORT FROM RICHIE'S CADILLAC STATING ABOVE, PLUS PICTURES AND A ESTIMATE TO FIX. I NOTIFIED AUTO BOUTIQUE THAT I WANTED TO RETURN CAR FRO REFUND BUT GOT THE RUN AROUND, ALL THEY SAID WAS ALL THERE CARS ARE SOLD AS IS, THE HAVE THE BUYERS GUIDE THAT IS SIGNED WITH NO BOXES CHECKED. THERE ARE NO SIGNS STATING CARS ARE SOLD AS IS. WE TRADED THE CAR IN ON A NEW VEHICLE AND ASKED FOR A REFUND FOR THE DIFFERENCE, $18,000, I WAS TOLD TO RETURN THE CAR AND THEY WOULD FIX THE ISSUES AND CALL ME WHEN IT WAS DONE, I STATED IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THAT BECAUSE I HAD TRADED IT FOR A NEW ONE BECAUSE IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE TO FIX, PHOTOS AND ALL PAPER WORK FROM THE SALE.

12/6/2019

SEATS

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.

7/15/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.

7/15/2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The backup camera grid on our 2019 vehicle disappears most of the time when we start in reverse after turning on the engine. We have taken our vehicle into local Cadillac dealership service departments over the past 3 years and they have replaced cables, backup camera, radio equipment, interface screen, etc. with no resolution. This issue with the backup camera grid also seems to be tied to a problem with loading profiles upon startup, radio issues, etc. We are writing to NHTSA because we feel that the backup camera grid disappearing is a safety issue.

2/7/2023

STEERING

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the trim on the steering wheel had started to peel off. Due to the failure, the edges of the steering wheel where the trim was located had started peeling off and were sharp, causing serious concerns while driving the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was scheduled for an appointment; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

1/13/2025

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact stated that upon cleaning the catalytic converter and driving for 50 miles, the warning light turned off. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,990.

10/27/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2019 Cadillac CTS?

The most reported complaint category for the 2019 Cadillac CTS is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 3 owner reports. That is about 19% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE.

Are complaints about the 2019 Cadillac CTS a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 7 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2019 Cadillac CTS?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2019 Cadillac CTS severe?

7 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Cadillac CTS: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
16
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

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