Is the 2010 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2010 Cadillac CTS has 101 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (16 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (16 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (12 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Cadillac CTS?

The 2010 Cadillac CTS gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Cadillac CTS is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Cadillac CTS has 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is air bags problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: 2010 cadillac cts. consumer states problem with brakes *tgw the consumer stated she began having problems with the brakes one week after purchasing the vehicle. the brakes were allegedly replaced in march 2010. also, the driver's air bag compartment became loose and had to be repaired several time. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 2 crash reports 5 injuries

101

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

16 complaints

16%

• 2010 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE ALLEGEDLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2010. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG COMPARTMENT BECAME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED SEVERAL TIME
• SPORADICALLY, A "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING COMES ON WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. ALSO, IN A FEW INSTANCES, THE AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AFTER COMPLETION OF THE BRIEF SYSTEM CHECK WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE MATTER AND FOUND THAT THE HIST
• PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO GO OFF AFTER SYSTEM CHECK. MANUAL SAYS SENSORS NEEDS TO BE SERVICED OR INJURY MAY OCCUR DURING ACCIDENT DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE. ACCORDING TO INTERNET CADILLAC FORUMS, MANY DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND DEALE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“2010 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE ALLEGEDLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2010. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG COMPARTMENT BECAME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED SEVERAL TIME”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Cadillac CTS

Based on 62 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 63K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION02/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Cadillac CTS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2010 CTS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 101 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: 2010 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE ALLEGEDLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2010. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG COMPARTMENT BECAME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED SEVERAL TIME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PASSANGER SIDE SUNVISOR WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT SOME OF CEILING UPHOLSTERY AND MELTED PLASTIC TRIM AROUND SUN ROOF . *TT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE I PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I CALLED TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND LATER THAT DAY I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE DEALER CALLED GM AND THEY WERE TOLD TO REBUILD THE ENGINE. THIS I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AS IF IT HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED AND THEN THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)