Research · Midsize Cars
2019 Cadillac CTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2019 Cadillac CTS. Most complaints involve power train (3) and engine (2). 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
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
10
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2019 Cadillac CTS as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2019 – Oct 2025
- Power train3
- Engine2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Steering1
- Back over prevention1
- Electrical system1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
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
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- 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
Power train
3 reports
“I believe it’s the transmission it’s not changing gears like it supposed to only have 52,000 miles on the dash. It’s have to be defective. No Incident”
Engine
2 reports
“Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.”
Engine and engine cooling
1 report
“The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact stated that upon cleaning the catalytic converter and driving for 50 miles, the warning light turned off. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,990.”
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 Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,100 | 353 |
| CTS AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 373 |
| CTS Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 396 |
| CTS AWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 433 |
| CTS Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 21mpg 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.
2019 CTS questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Cadillac CTS have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2019 Cadillac CTS problems?
Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), engine (2), engine and engine cooling (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2019 Cadillac CTS get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Cadillac CTS at 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
How safe is the 2019 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Cadillac CTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026