TireKick

Verdict

2015 Cadillac CTS: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2015 Cadillac CTS — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.

Owners filed 47 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 60% of 2015 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (36%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2015 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

47

Reports to NHTSA, 2015

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

15

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 60% of 2015 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2015 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Power Train issues lead owner complaints (36% of 47 reports), followed by unknown or other (13%).

Power Train36% · 17 reports
Unknown Or Other13% · 6 reports
Electrical System11% · 5 reports
Suspension11% · 5 reports
Steering6% · 3 reports
Equipment4% · 2 reports
Service Brakes4% · 2 reports
Vehicle Speed Control4% · 2 reports

+ 5 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 47 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11673962, ODI 11618015, ODI 11591158, ODI 11507056, ODI 11489605.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

SeatsJul 2018 · 18V595000Details +

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.

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 BrakesSep 2015 · 15V358000Details +

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.

Risk: 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.

Air Bags · 26V329000Details +

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.

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2015 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2015 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
CTS6.2L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive141916
CTS6.2L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive121814

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.

Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2015 Cadillac CTS: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Cadillac CTS?

Owners filed 47 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Cadillac CTS — fewer complaints than 60% of comparable 2015 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2015 Cadillac CTS?

The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (36% of complaints) and unknown or other (13%).

How many recalls does the 2015 Cadillac CTS have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2015 Cadillac CTS, covering components such as seats. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Cadillac CTS get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Cadillac CTS between 14 and 16 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.