What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

The biggest complaint group is air bags with 17 complaints, then the electrical system with 16 and the engine with 12.

Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes, the year has 3 recalls on record. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints are there for the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

See the fuel economy section on this page for EPA figures and yearly fuel cost.

Is the 2010 Cadillac CTS a good year to buy?

The by-year comparison on this page shows how it stacks up against other years of the same model. Read it alongside the complaint groups above.

2010 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Cadillac CTS^[1]. The air bag group is the biggest, with 17 complaints^[2].

68owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

14–22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners named most, biggest first.

Air Bags. 17 complaints^[2]. Owners describe warning lights that come on or stay lit, a loose driver air bag compartment, and one case of curtain air bags going off while driving. One owner says the air bags did not go off in a side crash.
Electrical System. 16 complaints^[5]. Owners describe an air bag warning light, an ignition key that slipped out of the run position when a knee bumped the fob, and wiring near the sunroof that burned. Some owners also wrote about waiting for parts for a recall repair.
Engine. 12 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe an engine that locked up after a loud knock, a car that shut off while driving, and an engine that revved high when slowing down. Others mention a timing chain code and a computer that failed.
Power Train. 9 complaints^[7]. Owners describe slow, jerky acceleration, a car that cut out on the highway, wheels that locked at speed, and a driveshaft part that wore out again soon after a repair.
Structure. 8 complaints^[8].
Exterior Lighting. 7 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 7 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 6 complaints^[11].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 CTS is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V394), July 2014. About 554,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Suspension › Rear (11V089), February 2011. About 44,147 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Equipment (10V414), September 2010. About 20,224 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	16 / 25 / 19	$3,550
CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS-V, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	14 / 19 / 16	$5,150
CTS-V, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[21]	12 / 18 / 14	$5,850
CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	18 / 27 / 22	$3,050
CTS AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[23]	18 / 27 / 22	$3,050
CTS Wagon AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[25]	16 / 26 / 19	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4-DR WAGON W/SAB RWD/AWD^[26]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%
4-DR W/SAB RWD/AWD^[27]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	313	4
2004	229	7
2005	284	7
2006	272	7
2007	218	7
2008	175	2
2009	167	5
2010	68	3
2011	108	2
2012	67	2
2013	73	2
2014	146	7
2015	50	4
2016	31	4
2017	27	2
2018	8	2
2019	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the CTS show 68 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 10 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (8) and the most are for 2003 (313)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 CTS?

The 2010 Cadillac CTS has 68 complaints on file^[1], and air bags and the electrical system lead the list^[2]^[5]. The engine and power train groups follow, and owners describe cars that cut out while driving^[6]^[7]. The year also has 3 recalls on record^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a guide and not a score. Check the sections on this page for recalls and fuel costs before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac CTS?: The biggest complaint group is air bags with 17 complaints^[2], then the electrical system with 16^[5] and the engine with 12^[6].
Does the 2010 Cadillac CTS have recalls?: Yes, the year has 3 recalls on record^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints are there for the 2010 Cadillac CTS?: NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Cadillac CTS?: See the fuel economy section on this page for EPA figures and yearly fuel cost.
Is the 2010 Cadillac CTS a good year to buy?: The by-year comparison on this page shows how it stacks up against other years of the same model. Read it alongside the complaint groups above^[1].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Cadillac CTS

2004 229 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 284 complaints, 7 recalls
2006 272 complaints, 7 recalls
2007 218 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 175 complaints, 2 recalls
2009 167 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 this page
2011 108 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 73 complaints, 2 recalls
2014 146 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 50 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 31 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Cadillac CTS

Other Cadillac models from 2010

2010 Cadillac SRX 474 complaints, 6 recalls

All Cadillac models

Similar cars from 2010: midsize cars

2010 Ford Fusion 5,639 complaints, 11 recalls
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 252 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Mercury Milan 1,062 complaints, 11 recalls
2010 Toyota Prius 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Volvo S80 27 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Acura TL 64 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Cadillac CTS (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
16 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,250). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,500). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,500). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,766). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V089, filed February 11, 2011: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V414, filed September 13, 2010: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS-V, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS-V, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR WAGON W/SAB RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and fuel economy