2016 Cadillac CTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2016 Cadillac CTS has a complaint index of 21, the second-lowest among 15 model years, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 31 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 fire, and 1 injury for this year, with electrical system issues as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 21/100
- #12 of 15 CTS years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (29%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (19%)
- Engine4 (13%)
- Other4 (13%)
- Steering4 (13%)
- Structure & Body3 (10%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
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 the vehicle caught fire while driving at low speed, with smoke first appearing from the front hood.
- Some describe the battery going completely dead multiple times at low mileage, requiring repeated roadside replacements.
- Others report a clanking or jerking sensation at low speed along with instrument panel lights fading in and out.
- Several mention a howling or rumbling noise from the rear axle area linked to a bearing failure with metal debris.
- Some describe the front wheel shuddering at highway speed along with hard shifting from the transmission.
- A few note the power steering warning message appearing along with a rumbling noise while reversing.
2016 Cadillac CTS recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V329000May 21, 2026Airbags5,014 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 25V175000Mar 20, 2025Steering934 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V086000Feb 7, 2019Steering26,772 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Cadillac CTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 CTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- Among CTS model years tracked, 2016 ranks 12th worst out of 15, with a complaint index of 21 and a Best verdict relative to other CTS years.
- What problems does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
- NHTSA complaints point to electrical system issues (32% of complaints) as the top problem area, followed by transmission and powertrain (29%) and suspension, wheels and tires (19%).
- Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Cadillac CTS, covering airbags, electric power steering assist (two separate campaigns), and heated front seats.
- How does 2016 compare to other Cadillac CTS years?
- The 2016 CTS has a much lower complaint index (21) than early years like 2009 (100) or 2005 (93), and it is close to top-ranked years like 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
- EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac CTS at 24 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.