2016 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Cadillac Cts: 4 recalls, 31 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V595000 · 2018 · 52,867 vehicles
What's wrong: The flexible heating mats in the front seats May be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
Why it matters: 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 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #19V086000 · 2019 · 26,772 vehicles
What's wrong: The electric power steering (eps) assist system May fail.
Why it matters: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which May increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #25V175000 · 2025 · 934 vehicles
What's wrong: The electric power steering (eps) assist May fail.
Why it matters: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V329000 · 2026 · 5,014 vehicles
What's wrong: The front-driver air bag inflator May rupture during deployment.
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Engine (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 Cadillac Cts has 31 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (well below the 130 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 20,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (48 complaints, 3 recalls), 2017 (27 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Cadillac Cts.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Cadillac Cts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (10), transmission & drivetrain (9), engine (4).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Cadillac Cts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.