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.
Research · Midsize Cars
2016 Cadillac CTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2016 Cadillac CTS. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and power train (9). The EPA rates it 19–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
19–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
31
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Steering: electric power assist system
Free remedy
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Steering: electric power assist system
Free remedy
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
31 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2016 – Dec 2025
- Electrical system10
- Power train9
- Steering4
- Suspension4
- Engine4
- Structure3
- Air bags2
- Wheels2
- Forward collision avoidance1
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 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
10 reports1 fire
“Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.”
Power train
9 reports
“Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.”
Steering
4 reports
“The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
5 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S8)
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline · 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 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS Sedan Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | $3,100 | 360 |
| CTS Sedan Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 378 |
| CTS Sedan AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 372 |
| CTS Sedan AWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 399 |
| CTS Sedan Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 472 |
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Cadillac 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%
Overall
5 / 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- 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.
2016 CTS questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
4 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 CTS problems?
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), power train (9), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Cadillac CTS get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac CTS at 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
How safe is the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Cadillac CTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026