CSR

Cadillac · NHTSA safety record

2014 Cadillac CTS

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 146 safety complaints about the 2014 Cadillac CTS with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 84 complaints, 58% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 57,978 miles, the median across the 83 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2013 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

146 complaints on file

146

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 84 · 58%
SUSPENSION 17 · 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13 · 9%
STEERING 13 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 · 9%
ENGINE 9 · 6%
WHEELS 6 · 4%
SEATS 5 · 3%
TIRES 5 · 3%
AIR BAGS 4 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 · 3%
STRUCTURE 4 · 3%
0 35 69

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 146.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 27.

32 24 16 8
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Cadillac CTS, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.1% 10.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

18V595000 · September 7, 2018

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

General Motors LLC · up to 52,867 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14V614000 · October 1, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
The risk
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

General Motors LLC · up to 106,307 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

14V446000 · July 23, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
The risk
A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

General Motors LLC · up to 124,007 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

14V394000 · July 2, 2014

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

General Motors LLC · up to 554,328 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

14V338000 · June 19, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
The risk
If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

General Motors LLC · up to 90,750 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

14V253000 · May 15, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
The risk
An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.

General Motors LLC · up to 19,225 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

I was hit by a truck while parked with the car on and the airbags weren’t deployed the truck hit me going at least 45-60

NHTSA complaint 11460202. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · 18,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA complaint 10691469. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · 6,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 21 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HIS HEAD TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DASHBOARD. AFTER THE CRASH, ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND KNEES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA complaint 10782540. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured · 4,000 miles

RETURNED HOME IN DRIVEWAY SHUT OFF CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY MOVES AS FAR BACK AS THE TRACK WILL ALLOW WELL MY GRAND DAUGHTER WAS IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE REAR BEHIND ME, THE DRIVER AND THE SEAT CRUSHED HER FOOT AND BENT HER FOOT BACK WARDS . HER FOOT WAS TRAPPED AND WEDGED BETWEEN THE SEATS THE DRIVER SEAT COMES WITHIN A FEW INCHES OF THE BACK SEAT. SO, ANYONE SITTING THERE WOULD HAVE THEIR KNEES CRUSHED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF AN ADULT WAS SITTINGTHERE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10593974. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

99,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the rear axle, rear differential, and another undisclosed warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA complaint 11758015. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

100,250 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Caution - Pull Over Immediately - Turn off Engine and Wait to Restart Vehicle" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and followed the instructions, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact could not pull over in time, and the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11757423, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have taken my vehicle or rather had my vehicle towed back to my dealership on three different occasions for repair of a Shift Cable Replacement I can have a very bad accident in my vehicle or lose my life or injure someone else the first time I didn't understand why my vehicle shutdown while I was driving on a very busy highway I was very upset, and I had to pray that none ran into me Lucky for me my AAA service reached me at my location and towed my vehicle to the dealership where they kept it for five to six days I had an extended warranty that I brought from the dealership (F.C Kerbeck and Sons 100 Route 73 in Palmyra N.J. 08065 [XXX]) this was incident occurred XXX Mileage (57874 The

NHTSA complaint 11742161, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
On April 30,2026 I was pulling into a parking space and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park with my foot the brake and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park with my foot the brake and the gear shifter wouldn't go in to park . The tow truck driver who finally responded was able to lift the rear of the car up to see what was wrong with my car and I was placing it in the back of the he determined the cable for thre gear shifter was broken.

NHTSA complaint 11735366. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
My 2014 Cadillac CTS has been making what sounded like road noise. After another person road in my car that was not in it daily like I was, they told me how loud it really was. After further investigation, my rear differential has gone out at only 80,000 miles. It’s impossible to drive due to the extreme safety concerns for not only myself but other drivers on the turnpikes and highways.

NHTSA complaint 11716449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CTS. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the recall remedy could not be performed because the transmission and axle had failed and required repair and replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11709498. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Cadillac CTS

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 8 2 —
2017 27 2 —
2016 31 4 —
2015 47 3 —
2013 73 2 —
2012 65 2 —
2011 101 2 —
2010 67 3 —

Other 2014 Cadillac models

SRX 390 ATS 104 XTS 50 Escalade 20 ELR 17

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Cadillac on this site — 97 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst