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2018 Cadillac CTS

Gas
Midsize Cars
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA8
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
2019201820172016

The 2018 Cadillac CTS is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CTS, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 8 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CTSGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223025$3,100
CTSGasRWD3.6L 6-cyl203024$2,600
CTS AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$3,250
CTS AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl192722$2,850
CTSGasRWD3.6L 6-cyl turbo162419$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38704, 38921, 38918, 38916, 38919.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Cadillac CTS is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

N252497020
934 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
NHTSA campaign 25V175000reported Mar 20, 2025General Motors, LLC
▲high

Steering

N182182760
26,772 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskLoss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
NHTSA campaign 19V086000reported Feb 7, 2019General Motors LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
8complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Electrical System3
Power Train3
Exterior Lighting1
Engine1
Unspecified1
Air Bags1

What owners describe

“THE TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERS". It does not happen with any regularity and with no advance warning. It may be electronic or mechanical or both.”Jan 27, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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 to a stalled car that may not start again. …”Dec 23, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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 acc…”Apr 17, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other CTS model years

A

2019 Cadillac CTS

0 recalls · 10 complaints

B

2017 Cadillac CTS

2 recalls · 27 complaints

D

2016 Cadillac CTS

4 recalls · 31 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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