2018 Cadillac CTS Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 9,775miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4–5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl RWD · 20 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Cadillac CTS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2018 Cadillac CTS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and air bags (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,775 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1,088 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 201 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 124 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 38%
- Air bags1 13%
- Engine1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11341495, filed 2020-07, 7,250 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 available for 3-6 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11486548, filed 2022-09Air bags: “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 leading up to or immediately following the accident. The lack of airbag deployment increased the risk of serious injury, especially due to the vehicle impacting a tree and being lodged several feet off the road in the woods. …”
NHTSA complaint #11655332, filed 2025-04Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,250 and 12,300 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Cadillac CTS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| CTS · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| CTS-V · sedan RWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Cadillac CTS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,300 |
| CTS RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| CTS RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| CTS AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
| CTS AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| CTS-V RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 25V175000Mar 20, 2025Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Cadillac CTS 2016–2018, Chevrolet Corvette 2017–2018, Camaro 2017–2018 +1 more
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.
- 19V086000Feb 7, 2019Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Cadillac CTS 2016–2018, Chevrolet Corvette 2017, Camaro 2017 +1 more
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.
Recall details for the 2018 Cadillac CTS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,088 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037550Sep 21, 2026Other or unknown. This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027689Jan 12, 2026Other or unknown. This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
Other model years of the Cadillac CTS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 59,000 | 0 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 8 | 9,775 | 2 | 4–5 | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 27 | 36,124 | 2 | 4–5 | 24 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 31 | 20,000 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 49 | 62,500 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 13 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 146 | 57,978 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 73 | 26,000 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 58 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 65 | 43,000 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 101 | 40,500 | 2 | — | 19 | 60 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 67 | 56,000 | 3 | — | 21 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2009 | 167 | 65,153 | 5 | — | 20 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2008 | 175 | 58,260 | 2 | — | 20 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 217 | 77,000 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 269 | 65,999 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 277 | 67,581 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 224 | 50,000 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 313 | 72,300 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Cadillac CTS model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Cadillac CTS have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2018 Cadillac CTS as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Cadillac CTS is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2018 Cadillac CTS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Cadillac CTS do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Cadillac CTS 4–5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Cadillac CTS get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Cadillac CTS (CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 20 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Cadillac CTS reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,775 miles and the middle half falls between 7,250 and 12,300 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.