Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Cadillac CTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2018 Cadillac CTS. Most complaints involve power train (3) and electrical system (3). 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
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2025
Owner complaints
8
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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.

SteeringReported Mar 20, 2025NHTSA 25V175000

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.

SteeringReported Feb 7, 2019NHTSA 19V086000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2019 – Jan 2026
  1. Power train3
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Air bags1
  4. Engine1
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Other / unknown1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

3 reports
“THE TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERS". It does not happen with any regularity and with no advance warning. It may be electronic or mechanical or both.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11713692

Electrical system

3 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? From 2018. The uauto start/stop system has failed 3 times. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? These components failing subjects the driver and surroundings to a stalled car that may not start again. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Inspection by vehicle dealer only. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2025Electrical systemODI 11706788

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“The airbag system failed to deploy during a single-vehicle accident in which the car left the service road and struck a tree. The vehicle sustained significant front-end damage. The driver lost consciousness or experienced disorientation and was unable to recall the events leading up to or immediately following the accident. The lack of airbag deployment increased the risk of serious injury, especially due to the vehicle impacting a tree and being lodged several feet off the road in the woods. Although there were no major injuries in this case, the airbag failure presented a serious safety risk and could have resulted in much worse outcomes. No, the airbag failure has not yet been confirmed or diagnosed by a dealership or independent service center. However, an insurance adjuster did state that based on the crash damage, the airbags should have deployed. The vehicle has not been inspected. No — there were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a problem with the airbag system prior to the crash. The vehicle appeared to be functioning normally before the incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11655332
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

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 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 (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
223025$3,100360
CTS
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
203024$2,600376
CTS AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200368
CTS AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850398
CTS
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050488
  • CTS
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • CTS AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • CTS AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • CTS
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 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%
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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 12233Vehicle 12232
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

2018 CTS questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Cadillac CTS have?

2 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 2018 Cadillac CTS problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), electrical system (3), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Cadillac CTS get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Cadillac CTS at 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Cadillac CTS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Cadillac CTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026