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Model year record

2016 Cadillac CTS recalls & problems

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 4 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints31filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2016 Cadillac CTS in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 21, 2026

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 26V3290005,014 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.
SteeringMar 20, 2025

Electric power assist system

Recall 25V175000934 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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's number for this recall is N252497020.
SteeringFeb 7, 2019

Electric power assist system

Recall 19V08600026,772 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
SeatsSep 7, 2018

Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

Recall 18V59500052,867 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
Risk
In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.

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

2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac CTS NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Cadillac CTS NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

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 Sedan

25mpg combined
City / highway21 / 30 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

CTS Sedan AWD

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

CTS Sedan

24mpg combined
City / highway20 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

CTS Sedan AWD

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

CTS Sedan

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system1001012,000 mi
Power train900030,000 mi
Engine40007,378 mi
Unknown or other4000—
Steering400027,500 mi
Suspension400015,053 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body30017,000 mi
Wheels2000—
Lane departureBlind spot detection; Warning2000—
Air bags2000—
Service brakes1010—
Fuel/propulsion system1010—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.