Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 47 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (10 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, 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 2016 Cadillac CTS?

The 2016 Cadillac CTS gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is electrical problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac cts. while driving at a low rate of speed or stopping, the vehicle made a clanking sound and jerked with a loud noise. while shifting gears automatically, a loud wind noise could be heard through the door jams of the front driver and passenger side doors. also, t. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

21%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, T
• STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ALL LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE, ACCELERATOR STUCK AND FUEL SHUT OFF WHEN GOING HARD ON BRAKE DID NOT WORK REQUIRING SNIT INTO NEUTRAL, MANY OTHER ISSUES. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR MANY TIM
• I BOUGHT THE CAR AS NEW WITH 6711 MILES. AROUND 12000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM 6-28-17 TO 8-19-17. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DOWN,NO CELLS, CAN'T BE CHARGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED EACH TIME. DEALER AND GM COUL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Cadillac CTS

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 17K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 7 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 (4)

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 2016 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/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 2016 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 2016 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 47 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR STOPPING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND JERKED WITH A LOUD NOISE. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, A LOUD WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE DOOR JAMS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ALSO, T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE AUTO STOP/START CANNOT BE SAFE. I ALMOST GOT T-BONED IN MY FIRST SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES IN A NEW CAR WITH THIS FEATURE. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND NEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I DID NOT REALIZE THE DELAY WOULD BE THAT GREAT AND ALMOST GOT T-BONED TURNING ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHEN YOU ENTER AN ADDRESS INTO THE NAVIGATION AND SAVE IT INTO CONTACTS. IT RE- REOUTES YOU TO A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE STATED ADDRESS. IT SHOWS THE LOCATOR PIN ON THE CORRECT ADDRESS, BUT YOU ARE TAKEN TO A LOCATION MORE THAN 1/2 MILE AWAY (AS THE CROW FLIES) IN A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)