2016 Cadillac CT6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 CT6 years
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 has a Complaint Index of 100, the worst among the 5 model years with data, and is ranked #1 worst overall. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 55% of its 11 complaints, plus 3 recalls including a seat belt anchor bolt defect.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
Top 2016 Cadillac CT6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (55%)
- Airbags2 (18%)
- Engine2 (18%)
- Other2 (18%)
- Fuel System1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
What owners report
- Owners report a hesitation of about two seconds before the vehicle responds when accelerating from a slow rolling stop.
- Harsh downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear at low speed feel like being struck from behind.
- Sudden violent jerking or clunking noises occur when shifting into low gear or accelerating.
- Some owners describe hesitation and loss of power in traffic around 40 mph, with one case diagnosed as a transfer case issue.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a highway crash and in a separate collision during a left turn, the latter resulting in a death.
- A turbo boost failure affecting cylinder 2 recurred even after repair.
2016 Cadillac CT6 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V759000Sep 29, 2021Electrical System181 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The Park/Position lights may be excessively bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The excessive brightness may affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install right and left side in-line headlight jumper harnesses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N162016079.
- NHTSA 18V437000Jun 28, 2018Structure & Body22,043 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The inboard child seat anchorage bars may have had excess structural adhesive applied during assembly, which can interfere with the installation of a child seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: If the child seat cannot be attached correctly to the anchorage bar, there is an increased the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, remove any excess adhesive, and apply anti-corrosion primer to the inboard child seat anchorage bars, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 18228.
- NHTSA 16V687000Sep 23, 2016Seat Belts131 vehicles
Seat belts:front:webbing
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cadillac CT6 vehicles manufactured July 21, 2016, to July 22, 2016. The bolt that connects the front passenger seat belt webbing to the seat's anchor plate may be missing. Without the bolt, the seat belt webbing may detach from the seat anchor.
Risk: If the seat belt webbing detaches from the seat anchor, the seat belt may not properly restrain the front seat passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing front passenger seat belt webbing anchor bolt, or install a bolt if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2016. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 16035. Note: Owners are advised not to allow an occupant to sit in the front passenger seat until the recall remedy has been performed.
2016 Cadillac CT6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other CT6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Cadillac CT6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 CT6 has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest (worst) of the 5 CT6 model years with data, giving it an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other CT6 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Cadillac CT6?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 55% of all reported issues, including delayed acceleration, harsh shifting, and jolting, with a median mileage at failure of 9,875 miles.
- Does the 2016 Cadillac CT6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 CT6: a seat belt anchor bolt issue, a child seat anchorage adhesive problem, and an excessively bright park/position light. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 CT6 compare to other CT6 years?
- The 2016 CT6 ranks worst of the 5 years with data (Complaint Index 100), while 2018 is rated 'Best' with a Complaint Index of 0 and 2017 is rated 'Good' with a Complaint Index of 25.
- What fuel economy does the 2016 Cadillac CT6 get?
- The EPA rates the 2016 CT6 at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.