Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Suspension › Rear
NHTSA recall 11V089000 · Feb 11, 2011 · 44,147 vehicles
Problem: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Equipment
NHTSA recall 10V414000 · Sep 13, 2010 · 20,224 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2010 Cadillac CTS 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2010 Cadillac CTS 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2010 Cadillac CTS V 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
CTS
22mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
CTS Wagon
22mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
CTS
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
CTS
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
16
1
0
1
79,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Switch
16
1
1
2
43,250 mi
Engine
10
0
0
0
35,250 mi
Power train Driveline › Differential unit
9
0
0
0
41,500 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate
8
0
0
1
63,000 mi
Exterior lighting Tail lights
7
0
1
0
56,000 mi
Unknown or other
7
0
0
1
60,000 mi
Service brakes
5
0
0
0
34,883 mi
Steering
5
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
2
0
0
0
—
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 8, 2025Exterior lighting All of a sudden when I started my car, the lights flickered constantly, the power steering failed, and it blew my starter and fairly new battery. I was so scared; I thought it was going to catch on fire because it smelled burnt. And I was on [XXX] in Hubbard Ohio, and I was trying to get to [XXX] and safety to which I did. THANK Goodness for AAA. I was told this happened because of a plug in wiring to heat or warm the washer fluid. It is available for inspection. My safety was impacted because, I had no power steering, flickering lights and smell of burnt stuff. My problem was fixed by an independent shop. My vehicle was not inspected by a GM dealer or my insurance. Was inspected by an…
Sep 29, 2024Air bags Airbag warning light and Service Air Bag on dash. Code B0087-00 Left Rear SIS. Replaced sensor, still getting warning. Sensor is in LR door. Research revealed possible known issue with bending fatigue from routine door open/close motion and subpar wire size/material causing wire failure. Opened wire harness at pillar and green/black wire was completely separated at typical bending point. Light blue wire was not visibly broken (insulation still intact) but the wire within was broken upon removal of insulation. These are the two wires (light blue and green/black) to the impact sensor. Please investigate GM use of substandard or undersize wiring in entire SRS system especially at bending…
Jan 28, 2024Steering I took my car 1200 Moss St., bingo alignment, and two weeks after my alignment my steering wheel shipped and I bought it over to the shop and told them that they did not talk to the school down on my control arms and the lady told me to get off of her premises and get out and I think thatâs not right she did not on her warranty and I called the police to get an incident report and she just was belligerent and pull guns on me and do all kind of crazy stuff. I would like to have someone investigate her please
Jun 10, 2023Engine Engine warning light on. Diagnosed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado as Po008 code Bank one engine timing off. Further diagnosed as faulty engine cam chain. Advised not to drive car. Car available for inspection. Not being driven. Safety put at risk by possible major engine failure during use. Problem confirmed by two other repair facilities. Engine warning light on for several months. Problem confirmed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado. Taken there at the request of Cadillac customer service phone 800 333 4223. Contact at Cadillac customer service Miguel ext 591 6218. Given case #[XXX] Vehicle inspected by Mike Maroon Cadillac at the request of Miguel at Cadillac customer…
Nov 21, 2018Air bags Passenger presence module malfunction is intermittent. When the malfunction occurs there is a warning light plus "Service Airbag" on the instrument panel. Sometimes the light and warning go off after several minutes, sometimes stays on for days. In Virginia presence of this warning during an annual safety inspection is considered a failure. The vehicle in question is a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V with heated/cooled Recaro seats. Dealership has confirmed that the issue is the module but says the module is not available or on backorder (for years). Issue was first reported to dealer in 2018 and again in 2022 with no resolution. Estimated repair cost is in excess of $1500.
Jun 14, 2013Structure › Body Every time it rains, the inside of my vehicle floods through the ceiling and floors. This is a manufacture defect that is outside of my control. This is a safety issue because it causes mold and mildew in the vehicle which is a hazard to inhale. I'm also concerned that the possibility exist for an electrical hazard.
Jun 8, 2023Air bags Diag: DIAGNOSIS c/s service air bag error message on display. Code DTC B0014- Driver side air bag deployment loop- high resistance. Could not get repaired. Per Dealership the part needed is "discontinued". Non- working airbags are a huge concern. I think that parts for airbags should have to be produced if a vehicle needs serviced for such a problem! The vehicle is in excellent condition overall and should last many more years but this very much needed part for safety isn't even available! That is not right!!! No accident or incident has occurred but this issue is very much a concern.
Mar 30, 2023Steering A black bolt in my steering column fell out onto my floormat and a second bolt was very loose, getting ready to fall out. The steering column just needs to be adjusted - recalibrated. No parts needed, very little time. Foundation Cadillac, Denver Colorado is charging me for diagnostics for bolts. Having my steering column fall would have been a huge safety issue. I need some help getting Foundation to adjust the steering column at no cost to me. My Cadillac is Out of Warranty.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
