2017 Cadillac CTS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Cadillac CTS has 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is transmission problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: car has locked in 2nd or 3rd gear two different times, both after long drives (2+ hours at highway speeds) and would not downshift into 1st to stop movement. the first time was a stop light and almost caused an accident, the second time was in my driveway and almost hit the house. good brakes are . There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
32
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
9 complaints- • CAR HAS LOCKED IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH AFTER LONG DRIVES (2+ HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST TO STOP MOVEMENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS A STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THE SECOND TIME WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALMOST HIT THE HOUSE. GOOD BRAKES ARE
- • THE CAR HAS 37250 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO WALDORF CADILLAC/GM IN WALDORF, MD. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WOULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS: FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, RE-PROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE VALVE, AND
- • The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making a turn, the rear of the vehicle was dragging. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear tires were bowed out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rea
“CAR HAS LOCKED IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH AFTER LONG DRIVES (2+ HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST TO STOP MOVEMENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS A STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THE SECOND TIME WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALMOST HIT THE HOUSE. GOOD BRAKES ARE ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Cadillac CTS
Based on 12 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
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 (2)
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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Cadillac CTS
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Cadillac CTS
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2017 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 32 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: CAR HAS LOCKED IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH AFTER LONG DRIVES (2+ HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST TO STOP MOVEMENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS A STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THE SECOND TIME WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALMOST HIT THE HOUSE. GOOD BRAKES ARE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2017 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V086000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE CADILLAC CUE COMPUTER SCREEN WHICH CONTROLS THE BLUETOOTH, RADIO & GPS, FROZE IN SEPT 2019. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF STATE OUR BLUETOOTH & GPS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS WAS HAPPENING IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, A COMPLETE OFF & ON WITH THE SCREEN GOING BLACK. DE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐WHEELS: 4 FLAT TIRES IN WEEKS. DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WHEEL. TIRE SIDEWALL IS CUT BY THE WHEEL WHEN HITTING ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. THEY ARE LOW PROFILE TIRES BUT THEY DO NOT HANDLE BASIC ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. THE WHEEL AND TIRE COMBO RENDERS THE CAR UNRELIABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Cadillac CTS — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 32
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 81
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Cadillac CTS