2014 Cadillac CTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Cadillac CTS has a complaint index of 57 and ranks 7th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 146 complaints and 6 recalls, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 58% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #7 of 15 CTS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 146
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2014 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain84 (58%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (17%)
- Electrical System17 (12%)
- Other14 (10%)
- Steering13 (9%)
- Engine10 (7%)
- Structure & Body9 (6%)
- Brakes5 (3%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden stalling at low speeds, including a case where the vehicle stalled at about 30 mph and crashed into a curb.
- Some drivers describe the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while shifting, with the gear selector moving into park on its own.
- The rear differential has locked up while driving at highway speed, causing a loud thump, hard pull to one side, and smoking tires.
- Brake pedal failures have been reported while driving over bumps, in one case resulting in a crash into a tree with the front airbag failing to deploy.
- The driver seat has been reported to move backward automatically after the car is turned off, creating a pinch hazard for passengers seated behind it.
- Windshield glare and reflection from the light-colored dashboard interior has been reported as a visibility distraction.
2014 Cadillac CTS recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V595000Sep 7, 2018Structure & Body52,867 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 14V614000Oct 1, 2014Electrical System106,307 vehicles
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMÂs number for this recall is 14515.
- NHTSA 14V446000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body124,007 vehicles
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
2014 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.
2014 compared with other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 CTS a complaint index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 15 model years of the CTS. Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 58% of the total.
- What problems does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have?
- NHTSA lists 146 complaints for the 2014 CTS, with Transmission & Powertrain issues (84 complaints, 58% share) as the top problem area, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires (17%) and Electrical System (12%).
- Does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA recorded 6 recall campaigns for the 2014 CTS, covering areas including Electrical System, Structure & Body, Transmission & Powertrain, and Visibility & Wipers, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 CTS compare to other CTS model years?
- The 2014 CTS's complaint index of 57 is worse than 2015 (29), 2016 (21), 2017 (14), 2018 (0), and 2019 (7), all of which earn Best or Good verdicts, but better than 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009, which are rated Avoid.
- What is the median mileage for transmission complaints on the 2014 CTS?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 78,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2014 Cadillac CTS.