2016 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems

The 2016 Cadillac CTS has 4 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 1

Injuries / deaths

1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Cadillac CTS recalls

Recall 26V-329: Air Bags

Reported May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-175: Steering

Reported Mar 20, 2025 · 934 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers 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.

Recall 19V-086: Steering

Reported Feb 7, 2019 · 26,772 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM 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.

Recall 18V-595: Seats

Reported Sep 7, 2018 · 52,867 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

2016 Cadillac CTS problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	10
Power Train	9
Engine	4
Unknown or Other	4
Steering	4
Suspension	4
Structure	3
Wheels	2
Lane Departure	2
Air Bags	2
Service Brakes	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1

Most reported parts

Structure › Body › Door — 1
Structure › Body — 1
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
Lane Departure › Warning — 1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
Structure › Body › Door › Handle › Interior — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 20,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Cadillac CTS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · at 93,942 miles · reported Dec 8, 2025

The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 93,942.

Structure · at 20,000 miles · reported Apr 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece. The contact stated that the occupant was stabbed in the back of the right arm. No medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the carbon fiber optic pieces on all four of the door panels and the glove compartment had been replaced several times. The contact stated the glove compartment carbon fiber…

Air Bags · at 49,790 miles · reported Feb 26, 2025

The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was…

Electrical System · reported Aug 29, 2024

Center console screen again has stopped working, no access to settings for the car nor any way to correct settings at this point. Many of the settings can be critical to safe driving of the car and have no manual alternative. This is the second screen in 50k miles.

Suspension · at 60,000 miles · reported Jan 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds the rear end of the vehicle lowered. There was an abnormal roaring noise detected from the wheels. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the failure was due to the run flat tires. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the differential was not properly lubricated; and informed him not to drive the vehicle. The parts to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted but…

Other Cadillac CTS years

2019 2018 201720162015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Compare all Cadillac CTS years · All Cadillac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Cadillac CTS: 26V-329 (air bags), 25V-175 (steering), 19V-086 (steering), 18V-595 (seats). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Cadillac CTS?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (10 reports), followed by power train (9). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 20,000 miles.

Are Cadillac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Cadillac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.