Best and worst Cadillac CTS years — which to avoid

Buying a used Cadillac CTS can be a perfect compromise of luxury and performance, but only if you go with one of the most reliable model years. Although it’s considered a premium model, there have been some Cadillac CTS issues specific to certain model years.

That’s why our team ranked the best years to buy and worst Cadillac CTS years to avoid to provide you with buying advice and tips. We’ve explored all the reliability concerns listed on NHTSA, as well as ownership feedback of other drivers to tell you which CTS models deserve your attention, and which are best avoided.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Cadillac CTS years

While making this guide, our team made sure to double-check all the information on Cadillac CTS issues and recalls via trusted and verified sources. By that, we primarily mean databases of prominent automotive safety organizations like NHTSA, but we also checked CTS ratings on review platforms like Edmunds, KBB, or Consumer Reports.

Along with those, we also wanted to see what real current and former CTS owners had to say, so we took a leap through forum threads with the most views, and here’s what we’ve figured out by all these:

Most common Cadillac CTS problems

Having in mind that the CTS was produced for 17 years, the model has proved to be quite reliable and there weren’t many recalls. Of course, there are some Cadillac CTS common problems of the model and the only way to avoid having to deal with those is to stay away from the plagued model years.

1. Timing chain problems

One of the worst things that could happen with a used CTS is the timing chain failure. In essence, the timing chain controls the inlet and outlet valves of the engine and ensures the proper timing cycle for the combustion. Some of the bad timing chain symptoms include misfires, rattling noises from the engine, and contaminated engine oil.

Timing chain failure mostly happened with the CTS models powered by the 3.6-liter V6 engine, and it costs from $1500 to $2000 to fix and replace. So, it’s one of the main things you should have in mind when thinking about purchasing this model, and it may be best to avoid this engine altogether.

2. Suspension-related issues

While the timing chain problem can be bad for engine operation, suspension-related issues could be dangerous in terms of vehicle control. One of the main suspension-related issues is the matter of loose rear suspension bolts. Because of this, loose bolts may affect the driver’s ability to keep control over the vehicle.

It also triggers all sorts of weird noises and the wheel may even turn inbound or in the opposite direction depending on the situation. Also, drivers have complained about the symptoms of bad CV joints, as well as rear axle fluid leaks. The problem was mostly caused by a bad pinion seal that got replaced on most vehicles during a 2007 recall for the previous CTS model years.

3. Problems with the steering

Another common issue with the first-gen Cadillac CTS is the steering problem caused by bad control arm ball studs and linkages. Because of this problem, the control arm may separate from the knuckle and that causes a huge problem, making it impossible to control the vehicle.

The thing is – if this happens on a CTS, it causes the wheel to turn outbound and the car may slide in the direction of the busted wheel. There’s no reason to point out the aftermath of this problem, especially while driving at high speed. So, if you are planning on buying a first-gen CTS, it’s worth knowing about this problem and checking if the car has been through a recall before.

4. Braking system faults

The first generation of the CTS was arguably the worst one based on reliability ratings, and there’s another confirmation of this – the braking system problem. Namely, drivers have reported that the brake hose tube may be affected by road salts and degrade over time.

In case this happens, it results in reduced braking power and efficiency, and a longer stopping distance for the car. Needless to say, this problem can grow into a more serious safety threat, and there was luckily a recall by Cadillac in 2010 to help deal with the issue.

Worst Cadillac CTS years to avoid

Well, now you are familiar with all the main drawbacks and known failures related to the CTS as a model, but that’s still not enough to make a proper buying decision. Our team wanted to help you out by giving you an overview of the worst model years that you should avoid:

• 2003
• 2005
• 2008
• 2009
• 2014

Overall, the worst years for the CTS include 2003, 2004, and 2009 CTS, but here’s what it all looks like by generation:

First-generation Cadillac CTS (2003 and 2005 model years)

The first generation of the CTS is sadly the worst one and it received the most complaints by far. Not only is the design of the first-gen CTS a bit outdated by today’s standards, but the mechanical systems of the car are also no better. The worst-rated model was the 2005 one with common engine and transmission issues, as well as worn-off ball joints and linkages.

We already mentioned the situation with steering and linkages, along with axle fluid leaks and other suspension-related faults. However, drivers also complained about the sunroof water leaks, bad seat anchor tabs, and even some airbag issues that triggered the SRS light. Because of all these issues, the first generation had more recalls than the other two generations combined, so it’s best to avoid the 2003, 2005, and 2006 model years.

Second-generation Cadillac CTS (2008-2009 model years)

The second generation CTS was a big improvement over the first one, but it still had a few issues that drivers gladly avoided by dodging the affected model years. These problems were mostly affecting the suspension of the car, as well as the electrical system.

However, there’s also the problem with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a premature timing chain failure, and that one called for expensive repairs. It can’t be helped since it’s simply the construction of the engine and while timing chains should be more reliable than timing belts, this one simply didn’t see its glory days.

Overall, it’s also important to pay attention to the airbag problem which later on got sorted out during the 2010 recall.

Third-generation Cadillac CTS (2014 model year)

The third and most reliable generation of the CTS launched in 2014, and sadly that model year was deemed the worst in this generation. The bright side is – all the other third-gen CTS models were quite durable and reliable, and even the 2014 is a decent pick since it still has fewer complaints than problematic first-gen and second-gen models.

Even though the 2019 models are still pretty much recent, they don’t fall behind in terms of reliability when compared with the new CT5 that replaced the CTS. The main issue of the third-gen CTS is within the electrical connections, but these rarely cause serious problems. Ultimately, the third generation is the safest one to buy a used CTS.

What are the best Cadillac CTS years to buy?

You may know all the essentials on the worst CTS years and main problems, but that’s still not enough for making an educated guess on the most reliable model. The final piece of the puzzle is figuring out the common dilemma – what are the best Cadillac CTS years?

The best Cadillac CTS years include the 2010 and 2018 models, but here’s a complete overview of best-rated years:

• 2004
• 2010
• 2011
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

Since the 2010 is the best-rated older model and the 2018 is the best third-gen CTS, we’ll further discuss those two to help you make the best choice.

2010 Cadillac CTS

The 2010 Cadillac CTS is, based on driver submissions, the best-rated model among the first-gen and second-gen CTSs. It only received around 100 complaints on NHTSA and there were just a few reports of engine and transmission problems.

However, what makes it dependable the most is its engine resistance and a stable suspension system that didn’t fail drivers like that of some previous models.

2018 Cadillac CTS

Among more recent models, the 2018 Cadillac CTS accomplished the most in terms of reliability since there were hardly any complaints left by owners. This model is one of the few CTS models that didn’t go through any recalls, and that’s enough of a reliability statement.

Still, if you need some more persuasion, it’s enough to look at the NHTSA complaint logs which are mostly empty, as well as a great safety rating that the car achieved according to IIHS. As of the time of writing this article, there haven’t been any reports of engine or transmission problems.

Is the Cadillac CTS worth buying?

Our final verdict is – yes, the Cadillac CTS is worth buying. Still, there’s one major “but” and that’s the problematic first generation which required owners to do much more than just regular servicing. So, in case you can avoid the first generation or at least settle with a 2005 model, you should be fine buying a used CTS.

For an even better insight into the reliable models, simply follow our guide and our team hopes that it will suffice on your road to buying the best possible CTS. We admire this car, especially in the CTS-V trim and especially in the third generation because of the sharp design and interior luxury, so don’t simply rely on pure luck that could ruin your pleasure when buying one.

Our thorough guides like Audi A4 years to avoid, BMW 335i years to avoid, or Lexus IS 250 years to avoid pinpoints the standout years for each model, known for their reliability, performance, and comfort, alongside those years that might not meet expectations. This comparison is designed to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you find a vehicle that matches your desire for luxury and driving pleasure with the assurance of quality and dependability.