YearToAvoid

2019 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

11/100

#9 most-complained of 10 CTS years

The 2019 Cadillac CTS ranks 9th out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 11, making it one of the best CTS years for reported problems. It has 10 complaints, no recalls, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.

Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
19 city / 29 hwy

Top 2019 Cadillac CTS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine3 (30%)
  2. Other3 (30%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain3 (30%)
  4. Electrical System1 (10%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (10%)
  6. Fuel System1 (10%)
  7. Steering1 (10%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (10%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (10%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the check engine light illuminating along with vibration, in one case tied to a bent rim, at the time of purchase.
  • One owner described the driver's seat adjusting on its own while driving, moving between memory presets and turning on the seat heater unexpectedly.
  • Owners report hard shifting in low gears at low speeds, causing the car to lurch forward unexpectedly in parking-lot situations.
  • One owner reported the backup camera grid disappearing after startup in reverse, with dealership visits over several years replacing cables, the camera, and interface screen without fixing it.
  • One owner reported a growling noise from the rear differential with metal debris found upon draining it, noting the original GM replacement part was no longer available.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel trim peeling off, leaving sharp edges near the driver's hands.
  • One owner reported a check engine light at 40 mph diagnosed as catalytic converter failure at 74,990 miles, with the light turning off after cleaning.
2019 Cadillac CTS complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2019May 2021Jul 2022Nov 2024Apr 2025
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Oct 2025; peak Jul 2021 (3).

2019 Cadillac CTS recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2019 Cadillac CTS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
23 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.

2019 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
2017Best2227224
2018Best08224
2019Best1110023

All Cadillac CTS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 CTS ranks 9th out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 11 and only 10 complaints, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other CTS years.
Does the 2019 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 Cadillac CTS.
What is the top problem area for the 2019 Cadillac CTS?
Engine complaints and Transmission & Powertrain complaints each make up 30% of reported issues, tied as the top problem areas.
What year Cadillac CTS should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2011 and 2014 CTS model years have the highest complaint indexes (89 and 100) and are rated 'Avoid,' while 2019 is one of the better years.
What mileage do 2019 Cadillac CTS problems typically show up at?
Median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for the 2019 CTS is 59,000 miles overall, with engine-related failures reported at a median of 74,990 miles.

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.