2016 Cadillac Cts: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Cadillac Cts? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 31 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2016 Cadillac Cts Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2016 Cadillac Cts trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2016 Cadillac Cts Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Cadillac Cts has 31 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- Cts
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 31
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 29
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Cadillac Cts Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Transmission / Drivetrain, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Cadillac Cts?
The 2016 Cadillac Cts looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Cadillac Cts
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of faults.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect steering and suspension components before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of faults.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect steering and suspension components before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Cadillac Cts, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Cadillac CTS, the data suggests potential issues concentrated in electrical faults and transmission/drivetrain components. No crash-related complaints were reported, but the confidence level is low due to the limited sample size.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints among the reported components.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are the second most common complaint category.
- No crash-related complaints were recorded for this model year.
- Electrical faults
- Transmission/drivetrain problems
- Steering defects
All 2016 Cadillac Cts Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Cadillac Cts. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Cadillac Cts. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The v…
Message "Shift to Park" even though the car is already in Park, preventing shutting down the car.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-o…
The passenger side airbag stays illuminated after the vehicle is started and continues to stay on as the vehicle is driven, never going off. General Motors have not issued a recall on this safety problem with the 2016 Cadillac CTS. My [XXX] address [XXX] . My phone number is …
The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator neede…
Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.
Rear differential failed @ 44,600 miles. Dealer said car was unsafe to drive. Dealer unable to obtain replacement after 30 days. Internet search shows this to be a known issue.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the rear end of the vehicle lowered. There was an abnormal roaring noise detected from the wheels. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who…
Torque converter shudders and jerks abruptly. There’s trouble slowing down at times and it has a difficult time shifting up or shifting down i gears.
I have 2 complaints. #1 The transmission shifts extremely hard in and out of gear 1. This issue a known issue, but GM has no resolution. There is a bulletin. The problem is, my car is no shifting poorly in all gears and causing a serious safety issue at all speeds and gears. It w…
The component that failed on my vehicle is the rear differential. My safety was put at risk by my vehicle hesitating on the highway where I lost speed and was almost rear ended. At that point I had to pull over onto a shoulder with grass to wait on the side of the highway for a t…
The component that failed was the rear differential. I had to pull over on a grassy area on the merrit parkway which put my safety at risk. The component has been inspected by the dealer. No warning lamps appeared. I heard a whining sound and a grinding noise.
The side detection light in both side mirrors stays on even when the vehicle is turned off. This may cause an accident while driving The problem is confirmed by the dealer No No
CUE screen is “cracked”. Can no longer see about 1/2 of back up camera screen. Barely missed backing into my neighbors car.
A known issue. “Clutch slow to fill” is a defect of the 8 speed transmission that causes the vehicle to violently buck and surge at low speeds and is dangerous as it makes it unreliable when driving at low speeds since it can randomly lunge forward dangerously. Dealership replace…
Cracked CUE screen dealership states not covered under warranty and requesting $1700.00 to replace. My 2016 CTS has only 28,500 miles and has always been kept in the garage since I purchased it new in 2016. I truly feel GM should being covering the cost of replacement on this sys…
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TEMPORARILY. THROTTLE MODULATION DOES NOT INCREASE RPM. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD AND BACK AS IF POWER IS BEING PUT DOWN THEN STOPPED ABRUPTLY. ONE TIME I HAD THIS HAPPEN, MY LIGHTS, GAUGES, POWER STEERING, A…
WHEN I ACCELERATED THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO REV WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE I WAS NOT MOVING. RPM CONTINUED TO GO UP BUT NO POWER. OTHER TIMES A VIG BUMP IS FELT WHEN I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS FOR A KOMENT AND WHEN I PLACE IT BACK ON TO…
THE CADILLAC CUE DISPLAY FOR RADIO, INFO, HVAC, NAV, ETC. HAS BEGUN TO CRACK (AKA SPIDERWEB CRACKS) WHICH HAS NO MADE THE TOUCH SCREEN UNUSABLE AND BEGUN TO DEGRADE VEHICLE CA0PABILITY. THE DISPLAY FREQUENTLY BLINKS AND MAKES EMITS RANDOM AUDIO TONES BOTH OF WHICH ARE VERY DISTR…
AT 45MPH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SHUDDERS. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. I'VE CHECKED IT ON VERY SMOOTH ROADS TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE CONDITON OF THE ROAD CAUSING THE SHUDDER. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS, IT SHIFTS VERY HARD AS IF BEING BUMPED IN THE REAR. I HAD IT CHECKE…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Cadillac Cts.
2016 Cadillac Cts Recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Cadillac Cts. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Cadillac Cts Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Cadillac Cts reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 31 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Cadillac Cts looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac Cts?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (10 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (9 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (4 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Cadillac Cts?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Cadillac Cts?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Cadillac Cts, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 31 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Cadillac Cts. A major recall area is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Cadillac Cts?▾
The 2016 Cadillac Cts looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Cadillac Cts reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Cadillac Cts based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.