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The 2018 Cadillac CTS has 1 active recall campaign on file and only 8 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2018 Cadillac CTS has 8 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 12,300 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 CTS | 47 | 0 |
| 2016 CTS | 31 | 1 |
| 2017 CTS | 26 | 0 |
| 2018 CTS (this page) | 8 | 1 |
| 2019 CTS | 10 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 8 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 1 active recall on file.
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first.
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.
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: 2018 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.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? From 2018. The uauto start/stop system has failed 3 times. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? These components failing subjects the driver and surroundings…
Rear differential failure confirmed by the dealer at 41,000 miles. Told not to drive it as rear wheels could lock up causing accident. Rear was making load noise 2 days prior to failure with fluid leak upon inspection. Dealer states failure is under warranty but no parts…
Cue display panel suddenly has strange web-like defects in right side of panel. Vehicle has been mostly parked in shaded driveway due to covid-19 closures and restrictions. Driven 2 -3 times a week on grocery trips.
The airbag system failed to deploy during a single-vehicle accident in which the car left the service road and struck a tree. The vehicle sustained significant front-end damage. The driver lost consciousness or experienced disorientation and was unable to recall the events…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Limited NHTSA data. Only 8 owner complaints have been filed for the 2018 Cadillac CTS, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2018 Cadillac CTS without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2018 Cadillac CTS to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 8 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 12,300 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 12,300 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 8 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.