Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac CTS vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac CTS and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Cadillac CTS vs FORD F 150: The CTS averages 51.9 complaints per year with 26 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints and 151 recalls. The CTS has fewer reported issues, but both have safety-related defects. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac CTS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS is a luxury sedan with a moderate complaint volume over 10 years, averaging about 52 complaints per year. Owners frequently report transmission jerking, steering seizure, and electrical glitches like touchscreen failure. While there are no reported deaths in the data, 28 injuries and 35 crash-related complaints suggest some safety concerns. Overall, it's a vehicle that demands attention to powertrain and steering systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume, averaging over 1,160 complaints per year. Common issues include transmission problems, electrical faults, and engine troubles, with 297 injuries and 1 death reported. The sheer number of complaints and recalls indicates frequent repairs and potential safety risks. Buyers should be aware of recurring transmission and electrical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac CTS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 519 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 51.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 28 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Cadillac CTS
- 01POWER TRAIN169
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM90
- 03STEERING55
- 04AIR BAGS52
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER51
Owners report transmission jerking when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and at highway speeds, sometimes nonstop. A humming noise that persists after tire and brake replacements may indicate internal transmission damage. These issues can lead to costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
The auto start/stop system has failed multiple times, and the touchscreen has failed, requiring replacement. These failures can distract the driver and affect vehicle operation. Electrical gremlins are a common frustration.
The steering wheel can seize without warning, making it difficult to steer, and owners report generally poor steering handling. This is a serious safety concern, especially at speed. Multiple recalls address electric power assist system issues.
The airbag warning light may appear, indicating a fault, and in at least one case, the airbag system failed to deploy in a crash. This compromises occupant protection. Buyers should ensure any recalls are addressed.
“I purchased this vehicle is certified preowned Cadillac and during the warranty time I had a transmission issue that was causing the transmission to jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and at highway speeds, it would start jerking nonstop. I took it to th…”
“I began hearing a “hum” when driving my vehicle and dismissed it thinking it was the type of low profile, no flat tires. After a getting new tires, brakes, brake pads, and control arms, we still heard the “hum” and it continued to get louder. We took the car…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The lead frame issue causes transmission problems and near collisions; some trucks go into limp mode and get stuck in 5th gear. Output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode. These defects can leave you stranded or cause accidents.
The lead frame issue also affects electrical systems, and rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical faults are widespread and may lead to safety hazards like sudden window breakage.
Complaints include rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered windows. This is a surprising and dangerous failure that can occur without warning. It adds to the list of unpredictable issues.
Engine-related complaints are common, though specific patterns are not detailed in the sample. Recalls for engine issues suggest potential problems. Buyers should check for recalls and service history.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Cadillac CTS — 26 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM…
The defect: 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.
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac CTS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac CTS has far fewer complaints per year (about 52) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160). This means CTS owners report fewer problems overall, but the CTS still has notable steering and transmission issues. The F-150's higher volume suggests more frequent repairs and a higher chance of encountering defects.
Key differences
- The Cadillac CTS has 519 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621, indicating a much higher rate of owner-reported issues for the F-150.
- Steering seizure is a reported safety concern for the CTS, with multiple recalls for electric power assist, whereas the F-150's major issues are transmission lead frame failures and electrical shorts.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 26 for the CTS, suggesting more widespread defect campaigns for the truck.
- Injury reports: CTS has 28 injuries and 0 deaths; F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death, reflecting the higher volume and severity of incidents in the F-150.
- During a test drive, check for transmission jerking when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear or at highway speeds; this could indicate a failing transmission.
- Test the steering for any stiffness or seizure, especially at various speeds, and verify that all steering-related recalls have been performed.
- Listen for transmission issues like harsh shifting or limp mode during a test drive; the lead frame problem is common and may not be fixed by recalls.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of electrical shorts that could cause the window to shatter.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on transmission, steering, and electrical systems.
- For the Cadillac CTS, specifically test the touchscreen, auto start/stop, and steering response.
- For the Ford F-150, test the transmission for limp mode and check the rear window defroster operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Cadillac CTS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 52 |
| 2018 | 8 | 79 |
| 2017 | 27 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Cadillac CTS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac CTS vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac CTS total complaints
- 519
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac CTS total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac CTS avg complaints/year
- 51.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac CTS
- Cadillac CTS top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN