2010 Cadillac CTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Cadillac CTS has a complaint index of 36, ranking 10th out of 15 model years, and carries a "Good" verdict relative to other CTS years. It had 67 complaints, 3 recalls, and no reported deaths, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #10 of 15 CTS years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2010 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring near the sun visor caught fire and damaged ceiling upholstery and sunroof trim.
- Vehicles reportedly stalled without warning at low speed, in one case leading to a crash into a parked car.
- Door locking systems failed intermittently, in one case trapping a passenger inside the vehicle.
- Owners described sluggish acceleration followed by a sudden surge of speed.
- A loud bang while driving was linked to a cracked rear differential and wheel lockup.
- Tires reportedly blew out unexpectedly during normal driving on inflated tires.
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 owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 CTS has a complaint index of 36 and ranks 10th out of 15 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other CTS years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac CTS?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem areas are Electrical System (30% of complaints), Airbags (24%), and Engine (21%).
- Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 CTS, covering the electrical system's key fob/airbag interaction, rear suspension toe link jam nuts, and glove compartment/instrument panel occupant protection.
- What year Cadillac CTS should I avoid?
- According to NHTSA complaint data, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 CTS model years carry "Avoid" verdicts with complaint indexes of 93, 79, 86, and 100 respectively, all worse than the 2010 model's index of 36.
- How does the 2010 CTS compare in fuel economy?
- EPA rates the 2010 CTS at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.