Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Cadillac CTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

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.

Combined MPG
14–24mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
50
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V329000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Sep 7, 2018NHTSA 18V595000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 9, 2015NHTSA 15V358000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

50 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train20
  2. Service brakes8
  3. Suspension5
  4. Electrical system5
  5. Steering4
  6. Engine4
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Wheels3
  9. Equipment2

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
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
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

20 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, Air bagsODI 11769277

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Service brakesODI 11772315

Suspension

5 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025Suspension, Service brakes, EngineODI 11676097
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-spd
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
CTS Sedan
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
203024$2,600374
CTS Sedan
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182822$2,850407
CTS Sedan AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
CTS Sedan AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950419
CTS Sedan
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162418$4,300480
CTS
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,850561
CTS
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$5,550638
  • CTS Sedan
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • CTS Sedan
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • CTS Sedan AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • CTS Sedan AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CTS Sedan
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    12 city · 18 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    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
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9520Vehicle 9519
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

2015 CTS questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Cadillac CTS 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 2015 Cadillac CTS problems?

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.

What MPG does the 2015 Cadillac CTS get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Cadillac CTS at 14–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Cadillac CTS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Cadillac CTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026