The 2015 Cadillac CTS is associated with 47 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 16 reports (34% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 14 to 24 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 47 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (16 / 34%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 2 fire / 0 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 14–24 MPG (7 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| CTS Sedan | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 30 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| CTS Sedan | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 28 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| CTS Sedan | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| CTS | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 14 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| CTS | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 12 MPG | 18 MPG | 14 MPG | — | $5,450 / yr |
| CTS Sedan AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| CTS Sedan AWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2015 Cadillac CTS models.
View complete 2015 Cadillac CTS crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2015 Cadillac CTS problems & component breakdown (23 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Cadillac CTS-V Sport vehicles equipped with 3.6L Twin Turbo V6 engines. The roll pins in the rear-axle differential may fracture.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the rear axle differential, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2020. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N192279370.
Affected Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2015 Cadillac CTS recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →