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2016 Cadillac CTS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Cadillac CTS
Pictured: 2nd Cadillac CTS. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan 2.0l AWD, 4dr Sedan 2.0l RWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6l AWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6l RWD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 21 city / 30 hwy
Length
195.7 in
Curb weight
3,620–3,887 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 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 29 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Cadillac CTS is a midsize car offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 196 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,777 lb (4dr Sedan 2.0l AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), 5% worse than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 CTS — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 CTS →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.0l AWD195.7 in72 in57.1 in114.6 in61.4 / 61.8 in3,777 lb50/50
4dr Sedan 2.0l RWD195.7 in72 in57.1 in114.6 in61.4 / 61.8 in3,620 lb50/50
4dr Sedan 3.6l AWD195.7 in72 in57.1 in114.6 in61.4 / 61.8 in3,887 lb50/50
4dr Sedan 3.6l RWD195.7 in72 in57.1 in114.6 in61.4 / 61.8 in3,755 lb50/50

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
CTS Sedan2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 25-5%$3,300360
CTS Sedan AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-8%$3,400372
CTS Sedan3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 24-8%$2,800378
CTS Sedan AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-16%$3,050399
CTS Sedan3.6L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19-27%$4,350472
CTS-V6.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 17-35%$4,850532
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.2 MPG2016 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Cadillac CTS.

Similar 2016 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Cadillac CTS (this car)25 MPGNot rated4
2016 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class23 MPGNot rated0
2016 BMW 7 Series24 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A630 MPGNot rated3
2016 Lexus LS20 MPGNot rated0
2016 Tesla Model S315 miNot rated10

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V329000 · 5,014 vehicles

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.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 20, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V175000 · 934 vehicles

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.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Feb 7, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V086000 · 26,772 vehicles

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.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Sep 7, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V595000 · 52,867 vehicles

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Cadillac CTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

31Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
20,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System10
Power Train9
Engine4
Unknown Or Other4
Steering4
Suspension4
Wheels2
Air Bags2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/08: 217/09: 217/11: 119/09: 119/10: 120/02: 220/07: 120/09: 120/11: 120/12: 121/07: 221/08: 121/09: 122/04: 122/06: 222/10: 123/01: 124/01: 124/08: 125/02: 125/03: 125/04: 125/06: 125/12: 117/0819/0920/0720/1221/0922/1024/0825/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Cadillac CTS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Power Train — 9 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 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 2016 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
2015 CTS24195.7 inNot rated349
2014 CTS23188.6 inNot rated6138
2013 CTS21188.6 inNot rated248
2012 CTS21188.6 inNot rated247
2011 CTS21188.6 inNot rated260
2010 CTS22191.7 inNot rated338
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 →