YearToAvoid

2018 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#10 most-complained of 10 CTS years

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

The 2018 Cadillac CTS ranks best among 10 model years, with only 8 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and 2 recalls. Electrical System issues account for 50% of complaints, but no fires or deaths were reported.

Complaints
8
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
20 city / 29 hwy

Top 2018 Cadillac CTS problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the CUE infotainment display developing web-like defects on the panel, in one case at 7,250 miles.
  • Some drivers describe the automatic start/stop system failing repeatedly, leaving the car unable to restart.
  • Owners describe the transmission shuddering unpredictably with no warning, which they attribute to an electronic or mechanical cause.
  • At 12,300 miles, one owner reported shaking and vibrating when lightly accelerating between 50 and 60 mph, along with rough, jerky shifting.
  • One owner reported a rear differential failure confirmed by the dealer, with grinding noise and a fluid leak preceding the failure.
  • In one case, the airbag system did not deploy during a single-vehicle crash into a tree, resulting in front-end damage.
2018 Cadillac CTS complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2019Jul 2020Mar 2021Sep 2022May 2024Apr 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to Jan 2026; peak Mar 2021 (2).

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)02550751002010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good3331424
2017Best2227224
2018Best08224
2019Best1110023

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 Cadillac CTS ranks best of the 10 model years tracked, with only 8 complaints and a complaint index of 0.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints make up 50% of reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain issues at 38%. Airbags and Engine each account for 13%.
Does the 2018 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 Cadillac CTS, both involving the electric power steering (EPS) assist system, which may fail. Neither recall is a do-not-drive order.
How does the 2018 CTS compare to other CTS model years?
The 2018 CTS has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all years listed, compared to a high of 100 for the 2014 model year, which is rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Cadillac CTS?
The 2018 Cadillac CTS gets 24 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.

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.