Is the 2015 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2015 Cadillac CTS has 65 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (19 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Cadillac CTS?

The 2015 Cadillac CTS gets 15 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3200. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Cadillac CTS is approximately $1,853/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.

2015 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Cadillac CTS has 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle accelerated on its own when it was in park, with the emergency brake engaged, and the engine was turned off. home security camera captured the entire incident on film. would be happy to provide the nhtsa with the footage.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 4 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

19 complaints

29%

• THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.
• WHEN IDLING OR WHEN YOU COLD START THE CAR IT TENDS TO HAVE A SLIGHT SHAKE/TREMBLE FEEL ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR EVEN PASSENGERS FELT IT ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY AND YOU HIT 15 MPH CAR TENDS TO SHIFT HARD INTO 2ND GEAR
• ON AUGUST 5, 2019, I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD @ 35-40 MPH AND WITH A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. I WENT INTO A SKID AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR SWERVED BACK AND FORTH ACROSS BOTH LANES. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER ON THE ROAD AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Cadillac CTS

Based on 32 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 57K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 78K mi · 9 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)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER07/09/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.

Risk: In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,201

Per month

$267

Per mile

26.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$4,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,527/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 2015 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

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

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 2015 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 65 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I PURCHASED THIS CAR 15MAR16 FROM DUBLIN CADILLAC IN DUBLIN, CA. THE DRIVER SIDE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT "I WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITHOUT IT". SINCE TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,038
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)