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Vehicle safety record

2016 Cadillac CTS Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2016 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (10) and the transmission & drivetrain (9). Those complaints describe 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in May 2026 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2015 has 50 and the 2017 has 27.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical CTS year, for its age

#156 most complained-about 2016 vehicle

Complaints
31
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2016 Cadillac CTS problems

Share of all 31 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2016 Cadillac CTS recalls 4

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

26V3290005,014 vehicles affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

Steering: electric power assist system

25V175000934 vehicles affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
The risk
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

Steering: electric power assist system

19V08600026,772 vehicles affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
The risk
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

Seats: seat heater / cooler

18V59500052,867 vehicles affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
The risk
In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.

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31 complaints about the 2016 Cadillac CTS

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Steering

The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11703838
Other & unknown

Message "Shift to Park" even though the car is already in Park, preventing shutting down the car.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11667214
Body, doors & structure1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece. The contact stated that the occupant was stabbed in the back of the right arm. No medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on all four of the door panels and the glove compartment had...

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been replaced several times. The contact stated the glove compartment carbon fiber optic piece was replaced three times. In addition, the contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on each door panel had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11657637
Airbags

The passenger side airbag stays illuminated after the vehicle is started and continues to stay on as the vehicle is driven, never going off. General Motors have not issued a recall on this safety problem with the 2016 Cadillac CTS. My [[redacted]] address [[redacted]] . My phone number is [[redacted]] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11645750
Airbags

The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,790.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11645131
Electrical system

Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11611649
SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.

Filed Incident Suspension · Power trainNHTSA 11563267
Suspension

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the rear end of the vehicle lowered. There was an abnormal roaring noise detected from the wheels. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the failure was due to the run flat tires. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the differential was not properly lubricated; and informed him not to drive the vehicle. The parts to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11501662
Transmission & drivetrain

Torque converter shudders and jerks abruptly. There's trouble slowing down at times and it has a difficult time shifting up or shifting down i gears.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11487639
Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistance

I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It won't go into gear causing safety concerns. I have reported the transmission issue multiple times while under warranty and it is now worse outside of warranty! #2 Adaptive cruise has also been reported multiple times and I have paid to get...

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both front sensors replaced. Only to have the issue continue. The dash will show a car is in the path, but there is a 2-3 second delay before car starts to slow down. Often brakes do not engage and the alarms just go off. I have driven a loaner car of similar years and they do not operate the same. This car is an outlier.

Filed Incident Power train · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11470625
Transmission & drivetrain

The component that failed on my vehicle is the rear differential. My safety was put at risk by my vehicle hesitating on the highway where I lost speed and was almost rear ended. At that point I had to pull over onto a shoulder with grass to wait on the side of the highway for a tow. My vehicle has been with the dealer for the past 2 months. No warning lights or signals.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11468827
Transmission & drivetrain

The component that failed was the rear differential. I had to pull over on a grassy area on the merrit parkway which put my safety at risk. The component has been inspected by the dealer. No warning lamps appeared. I heard a whining sound and a grinding noise.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11461848
Electrical systemDriver assistance

The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No

Filed Incident Electrical system · Lane departureNHTSA 11434935
Electrical system

CUE screen is "cracked". Can no longer see about 1/2 of back up camera screen. Barely missed backing into my neighbors car.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11430899
Transmission & drivetrain

A known issue. "Clutch slow to fill" is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replaced transmission valve body under warranty and flushed transmission twice but problem remains. Dealership claims it can be fixed with an "update" but tried to charge over $300 for the "update" when it is a defect that should have been fixed under warranty for free or have a recall.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11424320
Other & unknown

Cracked CUE screen dealership states not covered under warranty and requesting $1700.00 to replace. My 2016 CTS has only 28,500 miles and has always been kept in the garage since I purchased it new in 2016. I truly feel GM should being covering the cost of replacement on this system on a vehicle that had a $64,000 price tag.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11423114
SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

While accelerating from a stop, my vehicle loses all power temporarily. Throttle modulation does not increase rpm. At times the vehicle will jerk forward and back as if power is being put down then stopped abruptly. One time I had this happen, my lights, gauges, power steering, and engine power all went away. It fixed itself after about 15 minutes of trying to figure out what was happening. Very dangerous and scary experience when this happens on the road.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11385311
Transmission & drivetrain

When I accelerated the transmission felt like it got stuck and continued to rev when I attempted to accelerate and felt like I was not moving. Rpm continued to go up but no power. Other times a vig bump is felt when I take foot off gas for a koment and when I place it back on to accelerate the big bump is felt. Have taken it to cadillac sevice twice and both times transmission was reprogrammed but it did not dix the problem.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11373601
Electrical system

The cadillac cue display for radio, info, hvac, nav, etc. Has begun to crack (aka spiderweb cracks) which has no made the touch screen unusable and begun to degrade vehicle ca0pability. The display frequently blinks and makes emits random audio tones both of which are very distracting while driving and causing a safety hazard.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11353726
Wheels & tires

At 45mph the right front wheel shudders. It only happens occasionally. I've checked it on very smooth roads to make sure it wasn't the conditon of the road causing the shudder. Sometimes, when the car shifts, it shifts very hard as if being bumped in the rear. I had it checked and I'm told it may be a transmission issue but not sure. The original tires are on the car and at 48 thousand miles they have worn even. I've had the front end checked for alignment and the front wheels balanced. That is not the issue.

Filed Incident Wheels · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11337345
Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac cts. A howling noise emerging from the rear of the vehicle rear end diferential internal bearing failure and metal debri no consequence, vehicle repaired by the dealer under warranty the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph a howling noise emerging from the rear of the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer parkway cadillac valencia, 24055 creekside rd, santa clarita, ca 91355, they determined that the rear end differential bearing failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,053.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11308790
Electrical systemBrakesFuel systemFire

The car caught on fire while driving in nyc at speeds of 10-20 mph first the car started to smoke in the front hood while turning left on 5th avenue. I got out of the car and the car was on flames. I have a dash camera and iphone footage of the incident. I bought this car from an authorized cadillac dealership in june 2019 and the car caught on fire on christmas day 2019

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11307353
SteeringElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the battery became inoperable and the vehicle failed to start. Also, while making a turn, the signal indicator handle failed to engage in position. Additionally, the dashboard leather was curling and there was an abnormal rumbling noise while reversing. The contact stated that the power steering message was displayed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to conklin fangman cadillac (3200 main st, lot b, kansas city, mo...

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64111, (816) 714-7654) where the battery was recharged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 7,000. The vin was invalid.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11265320
Transmission & drivetrain

Car has just passed the warranty. Put the car in the shop for an oil change, when I got it back I could hear a yang yang noise like I had a bad tire, in the mean time on star sent a notice that the something was wrong with the brakes and stability control. The noise could be heard at any speed. So now I have to spend $4000 for car repairs for a car not quite 3 years old? Need a break, discount or something. I'm still making payments on this car.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11258688
Electrical system

I bought the car as new with 6711 miles. Around 12000 miles the vehicle wouldn't start. Roadside assistance had to replace the battery on 3 different occasions from 6-28-17 to 8-19-17. The battery was completely down,no cells, can't be charged. The car was parked each time. Dealer and gm couldn't find the problem. No feedback from them. Dealer kept the car from 8-19-17 until 11-1-17. Still no valid explanation the problem. They said they can't duplicate it.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11043114

Cadillac CTS: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201910000Engine & coolingA
20188210Electrical systemA
201727210Transmission & drivetrainA
201631401Electrical systemA
201550322Transmission & drivetrainA
2014146640Transmission & drivetrainC
2013732100Electrical systemB
201267260Electrical systemB
All CTS years

2016 Cadillac CTS vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2016 Cadillac CTS

Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Cadillac CTS: inflator module (May 2026); electric power assist system (March 2025); electric power assist system (February 2019); seat heater / cooler (September 2018). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac CTS?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (10), transmission & drivetrain (9), steering (4).

How many complaints has the 2016 Cadillac CTS had?

31 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 1, 2016 and the latest on December 8, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 86 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Cadillac CTS year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Cadillac CTS years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2016 Cadillac CTS has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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