Research · Large Cars

2016 Cadillac CT6Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2016 Cadillac CT6. Most complaints involve power train (6) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
11
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The Park/Position lights may be excessively bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Sep 29, 2021NHTSA 21V759000

Seats: mid

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The inboard child seat anchorage bars may have had excess structural adhesive applied during assembly, which can interfere with the installation of a child seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

SeatsReported Jun 28, 2018NHTSA 18V437000

Seat belts: webbing

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cadillac CT6 vehicles manufactured July 21, 2016, to July 22, 2016. The bolt that connects the front passenger seat belt webbing to the seat's anchor plate may be missing. Without the bolt, the seat belt webbing may detach from the seat anchor.

Seat beltsReported Sep 23, 2016NHTSA 16V687000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Oct 2025
  1. Power train6
  2. Air bags2
  3. Engine2
  4. Fuel/propulsion system1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Wheels1
  7. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CT6 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201611
201726
201812
201918
202011
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

6 reports
“I am experiencing recurring transmission and drivability issues with my 2016 Cadillac CT6. 1.Rough Shifting: When shifting from park to reverse, the transmission shifts roughly, causing a noticeable jolt throughout the vehicle. 2.Fluid Leakage: I have observed fluid leaking from underneath the car when parked in my driveway. However, the leak is inconsistent—it disappears for a few days after rain or washing my driveway but then reappears under similar conditions. 3.Delayed Shifting: When accelerating from a stoplight, there is a delay before the transmission engages, causing hesitation before the car moves forward. 4.Automatic Start-Stop Issue: The vehicle has an automatic engine shut-off feature that activates when stopping at a light. When I take my foot off the brake, the engine restarts abruptly, causing a harsh jerk that shakes the entire car. This makes it feel like the transmission or another component is not engaging smoothly. 5.Check Engine Light Issue: The check engine light came on for a day, but before I could take it to a repair facility, it turned off on its own. Because of this, I was unable to retrieve any diagnostic codes. I am concerned these…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2025Power trainODI 11651834

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“The contact's husband owned a 2016 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while her husband was making a left turn, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact stated that her husbands air bag did not deploy. Medical attention was needed, and the contact's husband was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that there were no additional injuries. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11694492

Engine

2 reports
“The turbo boost failed cylinder 2 ( after being repaired ) continues to show issues”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2025EngineODI 11679344
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CT6
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500357
CT6 AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700424
CT6 AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950414
  • CT6
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • CT6 AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CT6 AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Cadillac CT6 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 10371Vehicle 10370
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 CT6 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac CT6 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Cadillac CT6 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (6), air bags (2), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Cadillac CT6 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac CT6 at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026