CSR

Cadillac · NHTSA safety record

2015 Cadillac CTS

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

46

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Cadillac CTS have filed 46 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2015 and July 2025. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 19 of them (41%). The typical failure was reported at 55,750 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

26V329000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 5,014 vehicles across all model years covered

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

15V358000 · June 9, 2015

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
The risk
If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,163 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 46.

POWER TRAIN 19 41%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 15%
SUSPENSION 5 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 9%
ENGINE 4 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 9%
STEERING 3 7%
WHEELS 3 7%
EQUIPMENT 2 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 11.

2015 2022 2025
2015 to 2025

In owners' own words

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

SEATS

fire

MY CAR WAS PARKED ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. I USED MY REMOTE START AND WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR WITH MY 14 MONTH OLD SON ONLY 3-4 MINUTES LATER, MY CAR WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. I COULD SEE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD BUSTED AND THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DEEMED THE HEATED SEATS AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint 11073303. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire

APRIL 4, 2018 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS IS MY RECOLLECTION AT DISCOVERING THAT MY CADILLAC CTS 2015 GOT ON FIRE AT MY FRIENDS HOME IN SHELBY MICHIGAN ON MARCH 25TH, 2018. ON MARCH 24TH MY WIFE (LOURDES ROBLES) AND I ARRIVED AT OUR FRIENDS HOME AT 48307 RED OAK IN SHELBY MICHIGAN TO CELEBRATE OUR FRIENDS BIRTHDAY. AT THE PARTY THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 10 COUPLES FROM WHOM 5 WHERE STILL THERE AND WITNESSED THE EVENT. THE MAJORITY OF THEM WORK FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND SOME ARE GENERAL MOTORS EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING ARTEMIO CORTEZ WHO IS A GLOBAL BUSINESS DIRECTOR FOR GM. AT 2:20 AM WE WHERE PREPARING TO LEAVE AND I USED THE ONSTAR APPLICATION TO REMOTELY TURN ON THE VEHICLE SO IT WOULD WARM

NHTSA complaint 11083710, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 31,674 miles

WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.

NHTSA complaint 11072069. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 42,200 miles

I HAD ADAPTIVE CRUISE ON, WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SO ADAPTIVE STOPPED, THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME MOVED BECAUSE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SO TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE I GENTLY GAVE IT GAS AND I FELT THE CRUISE KICK SO I MOVED MY FOOT AND THEN THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT, THE CRASH WARNING DID NOT FLASH NOR DID THE BRAKING ASSIST ENGAGE. LUCKILY THE GUY I HIT WAS NOT AFFECTED THE HITCH PREVENTED DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK BUT MY CAR TOOK ALL THE DAMAGE. I WAS SO SHOOK THAT BEFORE I COULD APPLY BRAKES MY CAR STILL WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT HAD HIT THE HITCH. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY JUST AS IT WAS MERGING TO A STREET. I CONTACTED

NHTSA complaint 11139619, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

72,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced, and the rear differential was leaking. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The water pump was replaced under the warranty. The contact stated that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced every two months. The local

NHTSA complaint 11676097, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

98,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact exited the highway and drove to the nearest mechanic shop at a gas station. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear differential was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA complaint 11673962. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

92,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various slow speeds, the message "Driver Assist Unavailable" and the steering wheel was abnormally firm, requiring excess effort to drive the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was advised that there was no failure found with the vehicle, and the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11658541, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT
The car was taken to Hutchinson dealership in Macon Georgia, to have the oil changed and when I went to pick up the car the Cue Screen was cracked. I asked being the car was in their possession they should be liable for the repairs. They told me that there was nothing they can do because there was no Warranty. I asked why would the car need a Warranty in there possession. It's been two year and i can't pay to have it repaired. I'm [XXX] and can't afford to have it repaired. Very sad.....

NHTSA complaint 11620250. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

125,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle while the vehicle was shifting into gears. The vehicle was taken to AMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V038000(Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA complaint 11618015. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The primary issue with the vehicle is the failure of the front transmission pump seal (part #24225543) and the torque converter seal ( part #242337534 ) which caused a significant transmission fluid leak. THe original repair of the torque converter seal was done in Jan 2024 by Andrews Cadillac In Mt Juliet Tn. Failure to properly repair the torque converter seal led to internal damage within the transmission, resulting in the need for a full transmission replacement. THe front pump seal was not replaced as recommended by the service repair manual at the time of the torque converter seal replacement. The faulty component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and

NHTSA complaint 11615828, quoted in part. 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
2014 144 6
2013 72 2
2012 65 2
2011 101 2
2010 67 3

Other 2015 Cadillac models

Every Cadillac on this site — 91 vehicles, 198 recall campaigns and 4 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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