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2010 Cadillac CTS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Cadillac CTS
Pictured: 2nd Cadillac CTS. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan RWD, 4dr Sportwagon RWD/AWD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 18 city / 27 hwy
Length
191.3–191.7 in
Curb weight
3,860–4,118 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Cadillac CTS is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,118 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 1% worse than the 2010 midsize car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2010

  • Engines added: 3.0L 6-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 CTS →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan AWD191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in113.4 in61 / 62.2 in4,118 lb51/49
4dr Sedan RWD191.7 in72.4 in57.9 in113.4 in61 / 62.2 in3,860 lb52/48
4dr Sportwagon RWD/AWD191.3 in72.4 in59.1 in113.4 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,112 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CTS3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 22-1%$3,050404
CTS Wagon3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 22-9%$3,050404
CTS3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-5%$3,200423
CTS AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-5%$3,200423
CTS Wagon3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-14%$3,200423
CTS Wagon AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-14%$3,200423
CTS AWD3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-5%$3,200423
CTS Wagon AWD3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-14%$3,200423
CTS3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-14%$3,550468
CTS3.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 26 / 19-14%$3,550468
CTS-V6.2L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-28%$5,150555
CTS-V6.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-37%$5,850635
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2010 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Cadillac CTS under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Cadillac CTS (this car)22 MPGNot rated3
2010 BMW 5 Series22 MPGNot rated7
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class21 MPGNot rated0
2010 Audi A622 MPGNot rated3
2010 Lexus LS21 MPGNot rated2
2010 Jaguar XJ19 MPGNot rated3
2010 Lexus GS23 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Suspension › Rear · Feb 11, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V089000 · 44,147 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.
Risk
THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Equipment · Sep 13, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V414000 · 20,224 vehicles

Problem
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Cadillac CTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

38Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
76,844 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags11
Engine8
Electrical System6
Unknown Or Other6
Power Train5
Structure › Body4
Steering3
Seat Belts2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/12: 117/05: 117/07: 117/12: 118/02: 218/05: 118/07: 118/08: 218/09: 118/11: 119/05: 219/08: 119/10: 220/02: 120/03: 120/08: 121/06: 123/02: 123/04: 223/06: 223/11: 224/02: 124/09: 125/03: 116/1217/1218/0718/1119/1020/0823/0424/02max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Cadillac CTS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 76,844 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Cadillac CTS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CTS years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★010
2018 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★28
2017 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★227
2016 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★431
2015 CTS24195.7 in★★★★★349
2014 CTS23188.6 in★★★★★6138
2013 CTS21188.6 inNot rated248
2012 CTS21188.6 inNot rated247
2011 CTS21188.6 inNot rated260
2009 CTS21–Not rated4104
2008 CTS21–Not rated287
2007 CTS19190.2 inNot rated496

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →