Research · Midsize Cars

2007 Cadillac CTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 218 owner complaints for the 2007 Cadillac CTS. Most complaints involve air bags (64) and electrical system (42). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2014
Owner complaints
218
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Remedy pending

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 9, 2014NHTSA 14V542000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V394000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Air bagsReported Dec 17, 2010NHTSA 10V644000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

218 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2006 – May 2026
  1. Air bags64
  2. Electrical system42
  3. Service brakes37
  4. Power train33
  5. Engine22
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic21
  7. Steering16
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Structure8

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 CTS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003319
2004229
2005284
2006272
2007218
2008175
2009168
20100
2011108
201267
201373
2014146
201550
201631
201727
20188
201910
Crashes reported
26
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

64 reports15 crashes
“The contact owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 40-43 MPH, a bicyclist suddenly pulled in front of the vehicle. The contact veered away from the bicyclist, causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole. The utility pole was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy, and the contact hit the chest and head against the steering wheel. The contact immediately went to the hospital and was provided medical assistance. The contact sustained contusions on the chest and on the head, and the contact sustained bruises on the left and right legs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 71,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11695192

Electrical system

42 reports5 crashes2 fires
“Vehicle primarily failed while parked at owner residence [XXX] and remained inoperable for approximately three weeks prior to tow to Cadillac dealership. The ignition key became trapped and could not be removed. A manual override release beneath the driver-side steering column was required to free the key — confirming the lock was held electronically, not mechanically jammed. Fault confirmed by authorized Cadillac dealer: intermittent electrical fault within the shifter assembly lock mechanism. A similar intermittent concern was previously documented on this vehicle in 2011 (logged as "Customer Concern Not Duplicated"), establishing a recurring pattern. GM Technical Service Bulletin 07-07-30-032D (2006–2011 Cadillac CTS, automatic transmission) explicitly documents this exact condition: key sticking, Shift to Park DIC message, shifter binding, and battery drain. OEM replacement part is now discontinued. Manufacturer declined goodwill or recall coverage. Dealer refuses repair unless owner assumes full financial responsibility for a used part with no warranty and no guarantee against recurrence. Safety concern: ignition/shift interlock failure causing vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11737285

Service brakes

37 reports7 crashes
“Brakes failed. This happened at low speed and control was kept of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was seen the flexible brake line connecting the driver's side brake caliper had separated at the point it transitions from rubber to metal. It happened immediately after turning right at a stop light and there was no warning. The design of the transition meant that there was no leak of fluid (warning) until the connection had corroded to the point it lost its strength, failed and completely detached. The local GM dealership was called and they advised there was no recall and would only work on the vehicle for payment, so it was not taken to them. The components were replaced on both sides. Old parts have been kept.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2025Service brakesODI 11687468
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.8L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CTS
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
CTS
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162519$3,300468
CTS
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152519$3,300468
CTS
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$3,450494
  • CTS
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    15 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Cadillac CTS as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2099
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

2007 CTS questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Cadillac CTS have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2007 Cadillac CTS problems?

Owners filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (64), electrical system (42), service brakes (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Cadillac CTS get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Cadillac CTS at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026