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2016 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on NHTSA and EPA records. Published by Humblebee.

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 31 owner complaints with NHTSA, fewer than any CTS year from 2003 to 2015[1]. Its recalls deserve close attention, and the driver air bag recall has no remedy yet[2].

31owner complaints[3]
4recalls[1]
17–25MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Cadillac CTS[3]. One reports a fire and one reports an injury. None report a crash or a death[3]. One complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the group counts below add up to more than 31[3].

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[6] 10
Power train[7] 9
Engine[8] 4
Unknown or other[9] 4
Steering[10] 4
Suspension[11] 4
Structure[12] 3
Wheels[13] 2

Electrical system. This group has the fire report, and the median mileage at failure is 12,000[6]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the center touch screen cracking, blinking or going dark, which cuts off access to car settings and part of the backup camera picture[6]. Others describe a battery that goes flat while the car sits parked, so it will not start, and dealers that could not find the cause[6]. Two owners in the sample describe the car suddenly losing power while driving, and one says the lights and gauges went out too[6].

Power train. In the complaints we read, owners describe hard shifts, jerking, bucking or surging, often at low speed, and say dealer reprogramming or parts did not always cure it[7]. Three of the power train complaints we read describe rear differential failures. One mentions whining and grinding, and in each case the owner had to pull over or was told the car was unsafe to drive[7]. Rear differential trouble with howling from the rear also shows up in the suspension complaints we read[11].

Steering. The steering complaints we read describe lost power steering assist or a power steering warning[10]. This matches the two steering recalls below. One owner says their car was not covered by the recall, so check your own VIN[10].

The other groups have 4 complaints or fewer each, which is too few to call a pattern[8][9][12][13].

Recalls

Our data has details for four recalls that cover the 2016 CTS[2][14][15][16]. Each one applies only to certain cars, so check your VIN on NHTSA.gov.

NHTSA's year list also counts 4 recalls for the 2016 CTS[1].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive type[17][18][4][19][20][21]. All versions use an Automatic (S8) transmission[17][18][4][19][20][21].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, RWD[4] 21 / 30 / 25 Premium $3,300
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, AWD[17] 21 / 29 / 24 Premium $3,400
3.6L 6-cyl, RWD[19] 20 / 29 / 24 Regular $2,800
3.6L 6-cyl, AWD[21] 19 / 27 / 22 Regular $3,050
3.6L 6-cyl turbo, RWD[18] 16 / 24 / 19 Premium $4,350
CTS-V 6.2L 8-cyl, RWD[20] 14 / 21 / 17 Premium $4,850

The 2.0L turbo with rear-wheel drive has the best combined rating at 25 MPG[4]. The 3.6L with rear-wheel drive has the lowest yearly fuel cost at $2,800, and it runs on regular gas[19]. The annual cost figures use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 2016.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the CTS sedan 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal crash, side crash and rollover, in both AWD and RWD form[5][22]. The rollover risk is 10.1%[5]. The CTS-V has side and rollover ratings only, both 5 stars, with the same 10.1% rollover risk[23].

Engine and size

Horsepower comes from EPA test car listings:

The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[27].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2.0L RWD[28] 196 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 3,620 lb
2.0L AWD[27] 196 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 3,777 lb
3.6L RWD[29] 196 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 3,754 lb
3.6L AWD[30] 196 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 3,887 lb
VSport RWD[31] 196 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 3,984 lb
CTS-V RWD[32] 198 in 72 in 57 in 115 in 4,145 lb

How 2016 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 recalls20152016: 31 complaints, 4 recalls3120162017: 27 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 8 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2016 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20033134
20042297
20052847
20062727
20072187
20081752
20091675
2010683
20111082
2012672
2013732
20141467
2015504
2016314
2017272
201882
2019100

The 2016 CTS has 31 complaints and 4 recalls on file with NHTSA[1]. That is fewer complaints than every CTS model year from 2003 through 2015[1]. The 2015 has 50 complaints, and the highest year is 2003 with 313[1]. Only the newer 2017 (27), 2018 (8) and 2019 (10) have fewer[1].

Its 4 recalls match 2003 and 2015[1]. The 2004 to 2007 cars, the 2009 and the 2014 each have more, while 2008, 2010 to 2013 and 2017 to 2019 have fewer[1]. Keep in mind these counts are not adjusted for sales, and newer cars have had less time on the road to collect complaints.

Should you buy a used 2016 CTS?

The 2016 CTS has a lighter complaint record than any earlier CTS year, with 31 complaints on file[1]. The complaints that do exist point to the electrical system and the power train, and owners in the sample we read describe screen failures, dead batteries, rough shifting and rear differential trouble[6][7]. Before buying, confirm the steering recalls and the heated seat recall were done on that exact car[14][15][16]. The driver air bag recall has no remedy yet, so ask the seller about it and watch for GM's follow-up letter[2]. A test drive that checks low-speed shifting, a working touch screen and a quiet rear end is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
The electrical system has the most NHTSA complaints with 10, followed by the power train with 9[6][7]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe touch screen failures, dead batteries, rough shifting and rear differential failures[6][7].
Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
Yes. Our data details four: a driver air bag inflator recall with the remedy not yet available (26V329), two power steering assist recalls (25V175 and 19V086), and a heated seat recall (18V595)[2][14][15][16].
What MPG does the 2016 CTS get?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 MPG for the 2.0L turbo RWD to 17 MPG for the CTS-V[4][20].
Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?
It has 31 NHTSA complaints, fewer than any CTS year from 2003 to 2015[1]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so this is a rough guide, not a reliability score.
Is the 2016 CTS safe?
NHTSA rates the sedan 5 stars overall in both AWD and RWD form[5][22]. Check that the air bag and steering recalls apply to your car and their status[2][14][15].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 26V329, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  3. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Cadillac CTS (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 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
  6. 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 25V175, filed March 20, 2025: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V086, filed February 7, 2019: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V595, filed September 7, 2018: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for CTS Sedan AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for CTS Sedan, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for CTS-V, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for CTS Sedan AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. 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
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Cadillac CTS with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Cadillac CTS with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 335 to 420 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Cadillac CTS with 6.2L 8-cylinder: rated 640 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  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 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
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS-V 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 198 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,145 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.