Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners filed 50 complaints about the 2015 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA between Jul 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (20).
Complaints
50
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train20
- Service brakes8
- Suspension5
- Electrical system5
- Steering4
- Engine4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Wheels3
- Equipment2
- Air bags1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Tires1
- Exterior lighting1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
1
4
4
5
7
5
11
1
4
3
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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…”
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.”
Electrical system
5 reports1 fire
“THE CUE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WAS JUMP AND MOVE AROUND AND WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN TOUCHED. THE SCREEN IS CRACKED. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOW DOING IT AGAIN NOW THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS UNSAFE AND VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF THE SCREEN”
Steering
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various slow speeds, the message "Driver Assist Unavailable" and the steering wheel was abnormally firm, requiring excess effort to drive the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was advised that there was no failure found with the vehicle, and the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.”
Engine
4 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Brakes , emergency brake , engine overheating , How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car shut off in the highway while i was with my kids Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes it went in the shop 05/12/22 but problem with car still continued Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes i dont know how it passed due to emergency brake and engine & brakes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? yes first engie light came on then car shut off”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.