2016 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#7 most-complained of 10 CTS years
The 2016 Cadillac CTS has a complaint index of 33, ranking 7th out of 10 model years, with 31 complaints and 4 recalls. NHTSA data mark it 'Good' relative to other CTS years, well below the worst year (2014, index 100).
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 29 hwy
Top 2016 Cadillac CTS problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the battery losing charge and needing multiple replacements, sometimes leaving the car unable to start around 12,000 miles.
- Some report a rear differential howling noise at highway speeds near 70 mph caused by internal bearing failure and metal debris.
- Front wheel shudder around 45 mph has been reported along with hard shifting that feels like a bump from the rear.
- Owners note the power steering warning message appearing along with a curling dashboard and turn signal handle failing to engage.
- One owner reported the vehicle catching fire while driving at 10-20 mph in city traffic, with smoke coming from the front hood.
- A bent front and rear wheel issue was diagnosed after a rumbling noise while driving at unknown speed.
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?
- Relative to other CTS model years, the 2016 is rated 'Good' with a complaint index of 33, ranking 7th out of 10 years tracked, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other CTS years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
- NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area with 10 complaints (32% share), followed by Transmission & Powertrain with 9 complaints (29%) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 6 complaints (19%).
- Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Cadillac CTS covering airbags, steering, and structure & body components, including a power steering gear assembly replacement and a front-driver airbag module replacement.
- What year Cadillac CTS should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2011, 2013, and 2014 are rated 'Avoid' with complaint indexes of 89, 78, and 100 respectively, all worse than the 2016 model's index of 33.
- How many complaints does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
- NHTSA lists 31 complaints for the 2016 Cadillac CTS, with 0 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 deaths reported.