YearToAvoid

2018 Cadillac CTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2018 Cadillac CTS ranks best among 15 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and just 8 complaints on file. It carries 2 recalls, both for electric power steering assist failure, but no do-not-drive recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#15 of 15 CTS years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
8
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
20 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2018 Cadillac CTS problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (50%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain3 (38%)
  3. Airbags1 (13%)
  4. Engine1 (13%)
  5. Other1 (13%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe the CUE infotainment display developing web-like cracks or defects on one side of the panel around 7,250 miles.
  • Some report the transmission shuddering or shifting roughly with no advance warning, sometimes described as possibly electronic or mechanical.
  • One owner reported the engine shaking and vibrating after light acceleration between 50 and 60 mph at 12,300 miles, with rough, jerky shifting.
  • A rear differential failure was confirmed by a dealer, with a fluid leak and loud noise preceding the failure and a warning that rear wheels could lock up.
  • One owner reported the auto start/stop system failing multiple times, raising concern about the car stalling and not restarting.
  • An airbag failed to deploy in a single-vehicle crash into a tree, resulting in significant front-end damage.
2018 Cadillac CTS complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2019Jul 2020Mar 2021Sep 2022May 2024Apr 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to Jan 2026; peak Jan 2019 (1).

2018 Cadillac CTS recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2018 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.

2018 compared with other CTS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Best2131424
2017Best1427224
2018Best08224
2019Best710023

All Cadillac CTS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 CTS is rated Best among 15 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and only 8 complaints filed.
Does the 2018 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 CTS, both involving electric power steering assist failure. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Cadillac CTS?
Electrical System issues make up 50% of complaints, including CUE display defects and auto start/stop failures, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 38%.
What year Cadillac CTS should I avoid?
Among CTS model years, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes as high as 100, compared to 0 for the 2018 model.
How does the 2018 CTS compare to other recent CTS years?
The 2017 and 2019 CTS are also rated Best, with complaint indexes of 14 and 7 respectively, making the 2017-2019 span the lowest-complaint years for this model.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.