2014 Cadillac CTS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 84 of 146 complaints (58%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 72 in 2013 to 146 in 2014.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | vs. 2014 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–5,550 | 2,950–5,550 | 2,700–5,550 | 2,600–5,550 | 2,600–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–21 | 14–21 | 14–23 | 14–24 | 17–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–20 / 18–29 | 12–20 / 18–30 | 14–21 / 21–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–635 | 411–641 | 384–626 | 374–638 | 360–532 | |
| Complaints filed | 67 | 72 | 146 | 48 | 31 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac CTS have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 84 of 146 NHTSA complaints (58%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates it 14–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Cadillac CTS?
EPA estimates $2,700–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (17)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 428 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 431 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 422 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 425 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 422 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 431 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 428 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 384 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 556 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 626 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 626 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 626 g/mi (high) |
Show 4 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 556 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 556 g/mi |
| Configuration 16 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 409 g/mi |
| Configuration 17 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 480 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 84 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 20V038000 · Jan 24, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the roll pins fracture while the vehicle is in motion, the rear wheels may lock up and the driver can lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER · Campaign 18V595000 · Sep 11, 2018
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 14V614000 · Oct 1, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
SEATS · Campaign 14V446000 · Jul 23, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Consequence: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 14V338000 · Jun 19, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Consequence: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 14V253000 · May 15, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Consequence: An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.