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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.0l AWD | 195.7 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 114.6 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,777 lb | 50/50 |
| 4dr Sedan 2.0l RWD | 195.7 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 114.6 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,620 lb | 50/50 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.6l AWD | 195.7 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 114.6 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,887 lb | 50/50 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.6l RWD | 195.7 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 114.6 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,755 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS Sedan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 25 | -5% | $3,300 | 360 |
| CTS Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | -8% | $3,400 | 372 |
| CTS Sedan | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | -8% | $2,800 | 378 |
| CTS Sedan AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -16% | $3,050 | 399 |
| CTS Sedan | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -27% | $4,350 | 472 |
| CTS-V | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -35% | $4,850 | 532 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Cadillac CTS (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 BMW 5 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 BMW 7 Series | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Audi A6 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Tesla Model S | 315 mi | Not rated | 10 |
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.
Not every 2016 Cadillac CTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Cadillac CTS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 9 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2018 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 8 |
| 2017 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 27 |
| 2015 CTS | 24 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 49 |
| 2014 CTS | 23 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 6 | 138 |
| 2013 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 48 |
| 2012 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 47 |
| 2011 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 60 |
| 2010 CTS | 22 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 38 |
| 2009 CTS | 21 | – | Not rated | 4 | 104 |
| 2008 CTS | 21 | – | Not rated | 2 | 87 |
| 2007 CTS | 19 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 96 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →