2010 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
56/100
#5 most-complained of 10 CTS years
The 2010 Cadillac CTS has a complaint index of 56, ranking 5th worst of 10 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 67 complaints, 3 recalls, and the top problem area is the Electrical System (30% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
Top 2010 Cadillac CTS problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System20 (30%)
- Airbags16 (24%)
- Engine14 (21%)
- Structure & Body10 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (13%)
- Brakes8 (12%)
- Other7 (10%)
- Steering5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (6%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
What owners report
- Sunvisor wiring caught fire and burned ceiling upholstery near the sun roof.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a T-bone collision, leaving the driver with lasting injuries.
- Vehicle stalled without warning at low speed and veered into a parked car, causing injuries.
- Door locking system stopped working intermittently, trapping a passenger inside the back seat.
- Accelerator response lagged for a few seconds before the car lurched forward unexpectedly.
- Rear differential cracked after a loud bang and locked wheels while driving 65 mph, causing the car to spin across three lanes.
2010 Cadillac CTS recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V394000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System554,328 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
- NHTSA 11V089000Feb 11, 2011Suspension, Wheels & Tires44,147 vehicles
Suspension:rear
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which a wax coating on the rear suspension toe link jam nuts may allow the nut(s) to loosen. If a nut sufficiently loosens, the toe link could separate and the rear wheel would be able to turn inboard or outboard. Owners may hear a metallic clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle that may warn of a loosening nut.
Risk: The driver may experience sudden changes with vehicle handling and may not be able to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean all wax residue from the rear suspension toe link and install two new jam nuts. If necessary the rear suspension toe link may be replaced. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
- NHTSA 10V414000Sep 13, 2010Other20,224 vehicles
Equipment
Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts all wheel drive and cts-v vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the front passenger may be at an increased risk of leg injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the glove compartment assembly and, in some vehicles modify the instrument panel structure. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
2010 Cadillac CTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 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.
2010 compared with other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010 CTS carries a complaint index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst out of 10 model years covered.
- What is the top problem area for the 2010 Cadillac CTS?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 20 reports, 30% of the total, including one fire incident, at a median mileage of 43,250 miles.
- Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 CTS, covering the electrical system (key fob/airbag interaction), a rear suspension toe link jam nut issue, and a glove compartment/instrument panel occupant crash protection defect.
- Which Cadillac CTS model years should be avoided?
- NHTSA data shows 2011, 2013, and 2014 rated Avoid, with 2014 having the highest complaint index at 100, compared to the 2010's index of 56.
- How many complaints does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have?
- NHTSA lists 67 complaints for the 2010 CTS, including 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries, with no deaths reported.