Every 2016 Cadillac CTS recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 26V329000
May 21, 2026Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 26V329000 →Steering · NHTSA 25V175000
Mar 20, 2025Steering:Electric Power Assist System
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
Full recall details for 25V175000 →Steering · NHTSA 19V086000
Jul 2, 2019Steering:Electric Power Assist System
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
- Risk
- Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V086000 →Seats · NHTSA 18V595000
Jul 9, 2018Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.
Full recall details for 18V595000 →
2016 Cadillac CTS complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac CTS, reporting 1 fires, 1 injuries. Cadillac has issued at least 1,576 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System10
- Power Train9
- Engine4
- Steering4
- Suspension4
- Unknown Or Other4
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (676)
- Electrical System (388)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (302)
- Engine (259)
- Power Train (212)
- Unknown Or Other (135)
Read Cadillac CTS owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac CTS. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reported
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the carbon fiber-optic piece on the rear passenger door was fractured. The contact stated the occupant was exiting the rear passenger's door when the occupant was stabbed by the carbon fiber-optic piece.”
2016 CADILLAC CTSApr 29, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11657637
Fire
“THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN NYC AT SPEEDS OF 10-20 MPH FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE FRONT HOOD WHILE TURNING LEFT ON 5TH AVENUE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FLAMES. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA AND IPHONE FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT.”
2016 CADILLAC CTSFeb 5, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11307353
“The contact owns 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced.”
2016 CADILLAC CTSDec 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11703838
“Message "Shift to Park" even though the car is already in Park, preventing shutting down the car.”
2016 CADILLAC CTSJun 16, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11667214
“The contact's relative owns a 2016 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag inflator needed to be replaced.”
2016 CADILLAC CTSFeb 26, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11645131
Check your CTS by VIN
Not every 2016 Cadillac CTS is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Cadillac dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →