Air bags: inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints for the 2015 Cadillac CTS. Most complaints involve power train (20) and service brakes (8). The EPA rates it 14–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each CTS model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 319 |
| 2004 | 229 |
| 2005 | 284 |
| 2006 | 272 |
| 2007 | 218 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 108 |
| 2012 | 67 |
| 2013 | 73 |
| 2014 | 146 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
“The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag warning light and the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Service Vehicle Soon" was displayed. Additionally, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal roaring sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a multi-point inspection was performed. The dealer replaced the purge valve due to a leak, an oil change was performed, and the check engine warning light was reset. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnose regarding the roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer determined that the rear differential was leaking due to a pinion bearing failure and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V038000 (Power Train) and 26V329000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 143,145.”
“Component Affected: SERVICE BRAKES Description of Safety Defect & Incidents: Experienced a recurring, systemic mechanical failure within its camshaft-driven brake vacuum assist system, creating an imminent crash hazard on public roadways. On two separate occasions while traveling at operational roadway speeds trying to slow down for an interchange, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of power brake assistance. The brake pedal instantly became completely rigid, hard pedal, requiring maximum physical exertion to slow the vehicle and drastically extending the emergency stopping distance.Repair History & Manufacturer Involvement: The primary brake vacuum pump was initially replaced by an authorized Cadillac dealership in July 2023. Following that service, the "Brake Assist" warning lamp remained persistently illuminated. I called the dealership to ask how I can reset the warning and no one called me back, so I just lived with it. After driving only approximately 5,000 miles over 3 years, the system completely failed again, causing the second aforementioned on-road moving brake failures.The vehicle was towed back to the authorized Cadillac dealership on…”
“The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced, and the rear differential was leaking. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The water pump was replaced under the warranty. The contact stated that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced every two months. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS Sedan Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 374 |
| CTS Sedan Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,850 | 407 |
| CTS Sedan AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| CTS Sedan AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 419 |
| CTS Sedan Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 480 |
| CTS Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,850 | 561 |
| CTS Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,550 | 638 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (20), service brakes (8), suspension (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Cadillac CTS at 14–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Cadillac CTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.