2015 Cadillac CTS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
55,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 47 complaints (31.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 27.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Power Train: 15; Unknown Or Other: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 7; 2021: 5; 2022: 11; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10734679 · 2015-07-17 (July 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 35 TO 45 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PERIOD OF ACCELERATION BRIEFLY OCCURRED THEN THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSES FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION (TCN). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10734679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10781513 · 2015-10-13 (October 13, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,038.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,038 miles reported. Look up ODI 10781513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10817325 · 2016-01-01 (January 1, 2016)
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, LEFT OR RIGHT, OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOUD METAL-ON-METAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TWICE TO MCGUIRE CADILLAC WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO FIX AT THIS TIME." I HAVE CONTACTED CADILLAC HEADQUARTERS NUMEROUS TIMES AND, UNFORTUNATELY, NO ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN GIVEN. ON DECEMBER 30, 2015, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE RIGHT LANE OF A HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE VEERED ACROSS TO THE LEFT ACROSS THREE LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DID A 36…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10817325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944214 · 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. HOME SECURITY CAMERA CAPTURED THE ENTIRE INCIDENT ON FILM. WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA WITH THE FOOTAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000289 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
I PURCHASED THIS CAR 15MAR16 FROM DUBLIN CADILLAC IN DUBLIN, CA. THE DRIVER SIDE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT "I WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITHOUT IT". SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE, I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY HAVE REFUSED, SO I AM BRINGING THIS TO YOU ATTENTION AND REQUESTING HELP TO GET IT WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE HAD TWO CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,734 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11022166 · 2017-09-07 (September 7, 2017)
SAFETY HAZARD: DEFECTIVE PIRELLI TIRES; PZERO NERO; WITHIN A TIMEFRAME OF ONLY 15K MILES 5 PZERRO NERO TIRES NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO TIRE PULLING AWAY FROM RIM, THEN BULGING AND FINAL SIDEWALL WOULD BLOW OUT. REGARDLESS, IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY THIS WILL OCCUR WITH EACH TIRE. FIRST 3 TIRES WERE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASE WITH PIRELLI. TIRE 4 & 5 WAS REJECTED TO BE REPLACED BY PIRELLI UNTIL THE TIRES ACTUALLY BLOW OUT. TWO VERY LARGE BULGES IN THE FRONT & REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRES. MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11022166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072069 · 2018-02-10 (February 10, 2018)
WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY, PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL(50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO BRAKE TO TURN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISCONNECT, HAD TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF MANUALLY. SIMILAR PERIODIC PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,674 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11073303 · 2018-02-16 (February 16, 2018)
MY CAR WAS PARKED ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. I USED MY REMOTE START AND WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR WITH MY 14 MONTH OLD SON ONLY 3-4 MINUTES LATER, MY CAR WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. I COULD SEE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD BUSTED AND THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DEEMED THE HEATED SEATS AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11073303 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V358000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2015-06-09 (June 9, 2015)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
Consequence: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V595000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2018-09-07 (September 7, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V329000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗