2015 Cadillac CTS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 19 of 48 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more fire reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 146 in 2014 to 48 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–5,550 | 2,700–5,550 | 2,600–5,550 | 2,600–4,550 | 2,600–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–21 | 14–23 | 14–24 | 17–25 | 17–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–20 / 18–29 | 12–20 / 18–30 | 14–21 / 21–30 | 14–22 / 21–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 411–641 | 384–626 | 374–638 | 360–532 | 359–530 | |
| Complaints filed | 72 | 146 | 48 | 31 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 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 2015 Cadillac CTS have?
4 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 2015 Cadillac CTS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 19 of 48 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates it 14–24 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Cadillac CTS?
EPA estimates $2,600–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| 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 | 419 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 561 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 638 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 480 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 407 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 374 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 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 (4)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 26V329000 · May 21, 2026
Defect: 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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · Campaign 15V358000 · Jun 9, 2015
Defect: 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.