CarBrief

NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Cadillac CTS, and the power train is the group named most often[1][2]. Four recalls are on file, including an air bag recall whose remedy is not yet available[3].

50owner complaints[1]
4recalls[4]
14–24MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, two a fire, and none report injuries or deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Power train[2] 20
Brakes[7] 9
Unknown or other[8] 8
Electrical system[9] 5
Suspension[10] 5
Engine[11] 5
Speed control[12] 4
Steering[13] 4

Power train. Median mileage at failure for these complaints is 79,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries[2]. In a sample of 12 power train complaints we read, 6 describe rear differential trouble, such as noise, metal in the fluid, a leak, or rear wheels locking up[2]. Several of these mention the differential recall below[2][14]. Three of the 12 describe waiting for repair parts that were not yet available[2].

Brakes. Brakes have 9 complaints and 2 crashes, with a median mileage of 57,100[7]. In a sample of 8 brake complaints we read, 2 describe a hard brake pedal or lost brake assist and name a faulty vacuum pump[7]. Two describe cruise control or adaptive cruise not releasing, or the car moving forward unexpectedly[7].

Speed control. 4 complaints name speed control, and 2 of them mention a crash[12]. The group is small, so it says little on its own.

The other groups each have 8 or fewer complaints[8][9][10][11][13]. We would not call any of them a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year[4], newest first.

Owners can call Cadillac customer service at the numbers listed in each recall notice[3][14][15][16].

Fuel economy

EPA lists several engines and drive layouts for the 2015 CTS. Combined MPG runs from 14 to 24[17][5].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, RWD, Automatic (S6), Regular[5] 20 / 30 / 24 $2,800
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, AWD, Automatic (S6), Regular[18] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,050
3.6L 6-cyl, RWD, Automatic (S8), Regular[19] 18 / 28 / 22 $3,050
3.6L 6-cyl, AWD, Automatic (S6), Regular[20] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.6L 6-cyl turbo, RWD, Automatic (S8), Premium[21] 16 / 24 / 18 $4,550
6.2L 8-cyl, RWD, Manual 6-spd, Premium[22] 14 / 19 / 16 $5,150
6.2L 8-cyl, RWD, Automatic (S6), Premium[17] 12 / 18 / 14 $5,850

Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[20][22][17][21][19][18][5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 door versions 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 10.1%[6]. This holds for both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive[6][23]. The 2 door rear-wheel drive car has 5 stars for side and rollover and the same 10.1% rollover risk[24].

Engine and size

EPA lists three engines for this model year. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 272 hp[25]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated 301 to 420 hp depending on version[26]. The 6.2L 8-cylinder is rated 556 hp[27].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for every version listed, at 196, 72, 57 and 115 inches[28][29][30][31][32].

Version Curb weight
2.0L RWD sedan[29] 3,620 lb
2.0L AWD sedan[28] 3,777 lb
3.6L RWD sedan[31] 3,754 lb
3.6L AWD sedan[30] 3,887 lb
VSPORT sedan RWD[32] 3,984 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

2003: 313 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 229 complaints, 7 recalls2005: 284 complaints, 7 recalls20052006: 272 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 218 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 175 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 167 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 68 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 108 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 67 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 73 complaints, 2 recalls20132014: 146 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 50 complaints, 4 recalls5020152016: 31 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 27 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 8 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2015 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20033134
20042297
20052847
20062727
20072187
20081752
20091675
2010683
20111082
2012672
2013732
20141467
2015504
2016314
2017272
201882
2019100

With 50 complaints[1], 2015 sits below every model year from 2003 to 2014[4]. The lowest of those is 2012 with 67[4]. It has more than 2016 (31), 2017 (27), 2018 (8) and 2019 (10)[4].

Its 4 recalls tie 2003 and 2016[4]. Several years have more, including 2009 with 5, and 2004 to 2007 and 2014 with 7 each[4]. Years with fewer include 2008, 2010 to 2013 and 2017 to 2019[4].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show a pattern and not a rate.

Should you buy a used 2015 CTS?

The complaint count is modest next to older CTS years, and the crash ratings are strong[1][4][6][23]. The power train is the group to look at, and The power train is the group to look at, because owners describe rear differential trouble in the complaints we read, and a differential recall exists for CTS-V Sport cars with the 3.6L twin turbo V6[2][14].[2][14]. Check the VIN for open recalls before you buy. The air bag inflator recall has no remedy yet, so a car with that recall open cannot be fixed today[3]. Fuel cost varies widely by engine, from $2,800 to $5,850 a year[5][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2015 Cadillac CTS?
Power train is the group named most often, with 20 of 50 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. In a sample we read, rear differential trouble came up often[1][2].
Does the 2015 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls[4], covering the air bag inflator, rear differential, seat heaters and brake pedal bracket. The air bag remedy is not yet available[3][14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of a 2015 Cadillac CTS?
EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 24 MPG[17][5]. The 2.0L turbo RWD gets 24 and the 6.2L automatic gets 14[5][17].
How safe is the 2015 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA rates the 4 door versions 5 stars overall[6][23].
Is 2015 a good year for the Cadillac CTS?
It has fewer complaints than every year from 2003 to 2014, but counts are not adjusted for sales[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Cadillac CTS (2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 20 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 26V329, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 20V038, filed January 23, 2020: Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V595, filed September 7, 2018: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 15V358, filed June 9, 2015: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for CTS, 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
  18. EPA rating for CTS Sedan AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for CTS Sedan 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
  21. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for CTS, 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
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Cadillac CTS with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Cadillac CTS with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 301 to 420 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Cadillac CTS with 6.2L 8-cylinder: rated 556 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS 4DR SEDAN 2.0L AWD: length 196 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,777 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS 4DR SEDAN 2.0L RWD: length 196 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,620 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS 4DR SEDAN 3.6L AWD: length 196 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,887 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS 4DR SEDAN 3.6L RWD: length 196 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,754 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS VSPORT 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 196 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,984 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

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.