Cadillac CT6 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Cadillac CT6 options? We analyzed 5 model years (2016–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac CT6 has 76 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls across model years 2016–2020. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2020 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- CT6
- Model years analyzed
- 2016–2020 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 76
- Safety recall campaigns
- 13
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (26 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2020 (11 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Cadillac CT6: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe CADILLAC CT6 has 76 NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls on record. 5 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 76 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 13 federal recall campaigns
- 5 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
13 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2016–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 76 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
76 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
On July 22, 2025, at 20,245 miles, I brought my 2019 Cadillac CT6-V to an authorized dealer while still under factory warranty, reporting hard shifting during both acceleration and deceleration — the exact symptom described in GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631, which addresses a defective transmission control valve subject to premature wear (P0747 diagnostic condition). The dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the issue at that visit and returned the vehicle to me without resolving the defect. The same condition recurred. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer (Crestview Cadillac, Rochester Hills, MI) on May 26, 2026. The vehicle remained at the dealership for over three weeks before any loaner vehicle was offered. Replacement parts were reported as received on July 3, 2026, and again on July 17, 2026, and as of this filing the vehicle has still not been returned to me — over two months out of service. The repair estimate is approximately $12,000, covering the transmission control valve, a power transfer case, and a high-pressure oil pump. GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 states that the control valve body replacement is covered at no charge for vehicles that return with a P0747 condition after the TCM software update, for 15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, regardless of ownership. My vehicle meets these conditions. Despite this, GM's case team has offered only a $4,500 "goodwill" credit plus reward points toward the total repair, characterizing this as a discretionary gesture outside of warranty, and has stated this is their final position. I am filing this complaint because: (1) the original recall/coverage remedy did not resolve the underlying defect when I first brought the vehicle in under warranty, resulting in continued use of a vehicle with an unrepaired safety-related transmission defect until the condition worsened; (2) GM's dealer network has taken an extended and, in my view, excessive amount of time to complete.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the wheels locked up and the vehicle started swaying from side to side, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with rear differential failure, and DTC: P0747 (Transmission Solenoid Stuck Open); was retrieved. The differential was replaced. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the transmission experienced hard shifting, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before the recall was issued. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission was shifting hard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured transmission control valve. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to the recall, but the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to lose automotive power and decelerate. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V148000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled backwards approximately 1 to 2 feet. The driver's door was ajar with the driver’s foot near the vehicle, and the contact was able to depress the brake pedal and stop the vehicle. The contact pressed the Push to Start button, and after several attempts, moved the column shifter back and forth until the vehicle shifted to drive(D). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while in line at the drive-thru, the column shifter was stuck on neutral(N). After several attempts, the contact was able to move the gear shifter to drive(D). Most recently, the contact stated that upon parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll back 1 to 2 feet. Additionally, the contact engaged the parking brake. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, including Schepel Cadillac (2929 W Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, IN 46410). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact notified GM's Chief Executive of the failure through email. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
On several separate occasions, my Cadillac CT 6 which has been under recall for months by General Motors does not have an adequate repair for the repair shops authorized by the manufacturer, namely GM franchised Cadillac dealer repair shops and hence I am unable to have my vehicle repaired because the franchised GM dealers inform me that due to the recall and General Motor’s refusal or inability to provide specific reason for the transmission failure and the automobile not being able to shift into park when it is on an incline has rolled backwards when my door was open. I was attempting to get out of the car when it began rolling backward I was able to step on the brake: I would’ve been severely crippled or killed. Further to the preceding I have contacted CEO Mary Barra pertaining to the preceding and an executive inquiry person named “Thomas” informed me he will call me back with a resolution and has not done so. I do not have any other vehicle. I am a [XXX]. I have [XXX] and I cannot utilize my car safely and General Motors: Refuses to give me a replacement car, refuses to provide the franchisee with a written cause for the failures and solution for their mechanics to fix the vehicle, and therefore I respectfully request that the manufacturer be mandated to buy this vehicle back for its full purchase price: that they sold it to me defective knowing that there was a defect in this transmission and that they previously have covered up engine failure when the CEO was Mary Barra, the CEO again is Mary Barra, and she authorized General Motors to pay to the federal government $900 million because General motors “covered up” the engine defect in 2015 and approximately 3 to 4 years later in 2018–2019 CEO Mary Barra & GMC commit recidivism and in 2025 place me in harms way. I emailed Mary Barra directly as well as called her office and she refuses to inform me what the cause of this failure of the transmission and powertrain is. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was lagging. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated upon parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll back 1 to 2 feet. The contact stated that his foot was still near the vehicle, and the contact was able to depress the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact pressed the Push to Start button and moved the column shifter back and forth until the vehicle successfully shifted to drive(D). The contact then shifted to park(P). Additionally, the contact engaged the parking brake. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train); and the contact related the failure to the recall; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact notified GM's Chief Executive of the failure through email. The contact later received a call from a GM Executive, who informed the contact that the recall repair part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available .
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the wheels locked up. The traction control warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted hard. The 4WD service message was displayed. The contact received notification of Manufacturer Recall Number: N242480630 (Power Train)/NHTSA Campaign Number (PENDING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ABS system error StabiliTrak error Cruise Control error Vehicle with <14,000 miles is exhibiting symptoms of earlier ABS recall.
HELLO, ON AN ESTIMATED 8+ TIMES, I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO GEAR, DROVE OFF AND BOTH MY SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE IN THE CLOSED/UP POSITION. I HAVE LEARNED FROM GM SUPPORT THAT GM DID NOT DEVELOP SOFTWARE WHERE THE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY OPEN: WHEN EITHER OPENING THE DOORS OR PUTTING INTO GEAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ON MY FORMER MERCEDES E-350 LEASES, THIS SAFETY TECHNOLOGY WAS STANDARD. THE LATEST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN WEST TO EAST ROUTE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES, NEEDED TO GET INTO THE RIGHT LANE, WENT TO LOOK AT MY RIGHT MIRROR, AND IT WAS COMPLETELY FOLDED UP. IT WAS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS, ALMOST GOT ME REAR-ENDED SINCE I BRAKED HARD WHEN I NOTICED AND I ALMOST SIDE-SWIPED THE CAR TO MY RIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CADILLAC CT6. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5610946955. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
The contact's husband owned a 2016 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while her husband was making a left turn, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact stated that her husbands air bag did not deploy. Medical attention was needed, and the contact's husband was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that there were no additional injuries. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was unknown.
The turbo boost failed cylinder 2 ( after being repaired ) continues to show issues
I am experiencing recurring transmission and drivability issues with my 2016 Cadillac CT6. 1.Rough Shifting: When shifting from park to reverse, the transmission shifts roughly, causing a noticeable jolt throughout the vehicle. 2.Fluid Leakage: I have observed fluid leaking from underneath the car when parked in my driveway. However, the leak is inconsistent—it disappears for a few days after rain or washing my driveway but then reappears under similar conditions. 3.Delayed Shifting: When accelerating from a stoplight, there is a delay before the transmission engages, causing hesitation before the car moves forward. 4.Automatic Start-Stop Issue: The vehicle has an automatic engine shut-off feature that activates when stopping at a light. When I take my foot off the brake, the engine restarts abruptly, causing a harsh jerk that shakes the entire car. This makes it feel like the transmission or another component is not engaging smoothly. 5.Check Engine Light Issue: The check engine light came on for a day, but before I could take it to a repair facility, it turned off on its own. Because of this, I was unable to retrieve any diagnostic codes. I am concerned these issues indicate a faulty transmission system or related defect that may worsen over time. I request an investigation into whether this is a common defect in the 2016 Cadillac CT6 and if any recalls or manufacturer repairs are available.
The car keep losing power pressure when driving it's jerk when put into gear
Showing 20 of 76 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac CT6
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac CT6, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac CT6 has 76 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac CT6 has 13 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 5 of the Cadillac CT6's 76 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac CT6 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac CT6 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac CT6 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Cadillac CT6 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac CT6.
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Cadillac CT6 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Cadillac CT6 reliable?
Average. The Cadillac CT6 has 76 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Cadillac CT6 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (26 complaints), 2019 (16 complaints), 2018 (12 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Cadillac CT6 problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (46 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (8 complaints); ENGINE (8 complaints).
Does the Cadillac CT6 have recalls?
Yes — 13 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac CT6. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.