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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-CADILLAC-CTSNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Cadillac
2016 Cadillac CTS problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 31 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 31 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,500 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 CTS?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Cadillac CTS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,500 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 26,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,978 mi · ~$700 to fix
suspension — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,527 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 26,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 CTS· steering
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,…
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…
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…
I bought the car as new with 6711 miles. Around 12000 miles the vehicle wouldn't start. Roadside assistance had to replace the battery on 3 different occasions from 6-28-17 to 8-19-17. The battery was completely down,no cells, can't be charged. The car was parked each…
Had a problem with your 2016 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats
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.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Cadillac CTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Cadillac CTS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Cadillac CTS?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Cadillac CTS a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 31 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 72,500 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac CTS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Cadillac CTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 31 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Cadillac/CTS.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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