Cadillac CTS VIN Number Check

Enter a Cadillac CTS VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefix1G6

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Cadillac CTS

About the Cadillac CTS

Cadillac sold the CTS in the US for model years 2003–2019, across three generations. Gen 1 first (2003–2007), then Gen 2 (2008–2013), and the Gen 3 took over for 2014–2019. Across those years NHTSA lists 29 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,244 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2003 and 2005 model years alone account for 597 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and the powertrain after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 16–19 mpg combined, while the Gen 3 gets 14–25 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2003–2019

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3

NHTSA recall campaigns29

Owner complaints2,244 at NHTSA

Cadillac CTS photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Cadillac CTS generations

Three generations since the 2003 model year. The Gen 1 (2003–2007) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (13).

3 / 3

Gen 3

2014–20193rd generation

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

2003201020152019

2014–2019· Generation 3 of 3

Gen 3 · 3rd generation

PlatformGM Alpha

EPA combined mpg14–25

NHTSA recalls11

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2019
3.0 L 6-cyl · 2014
3.6 L 6-cyl · 2014–2019
3.6 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2019
6.2 L 8-cyl (supercharged) · 2014–2019

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
manual (2014–2015), automatic (2014–2019)

Known issues to check

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (127)Electrical system (34)Steering (30)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 270 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 31G6AV5S8?E0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2014 Cadillac CTS Premium, built in Lansing - Grand River, Michigan

Check a CTS VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which CTS model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 29 campaigns on file for CTS model years 2003–2019; no single year stands out (7 at most). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Cadillac CTS owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2003 (313 of 2,244). Tap any bar or generation.

2,244NHTSA complaints, 2003–2019

188mention a crash

35mention a fire

154injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 270 complaints · most for the 2014 (146)

Top complaint areas · Gen 3

Mentions in 270 complaints, 2014–2019.

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)127

Electrical system34

Steering30

Suspension28

Engine and cooling22

Wheels15

Crashes 8Fires 3Injuries 6

2014–2019 (Gen 3)

NHTSA data summary

Powertrain owns this generation. Its 127 mentions are more than twice the next area, electrical system (34). Its first model year, the 2014, drew more complaints than any other (146 of 270).

What CTS owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2014–2019 (3rd generation)

The 2014 draws by far the most complaints, and later years have thin data. About half of NHTSA owners of the 2014 describe rear differential noise or failure, often with rear axle warnings. CarComplaints lists check engine lights, infotainment problems and rear differential trouble for 2014. Cadillac ended the CTS after 2019. Recalls cover transmission shift cables on some 2014 models that may detach, seat heater mats on 2014–2016 models that may overheat and driver air bag inflators on some 2015–2016 models. [1] [2]

2008–2013 (2nd generation)

The 2008 and 2009 draw the most complaints. NHTSA owners of the 2008 mention brake concerns, fuel odor or leaks, door problems and timing chain trouble. CarComplaints lists a car that stopped moving, fuel odor and transmission failure for 2008, and a dead transfer case, timing chain failure and transmission failure for 2009. Recalls cover ignition keys on these models that may turn out of Run if the key ring is heavy, which can affect air bag deployment, and roof rail air bags on some 2011 models that may deploy from driveshaft vibration. [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the ignition key recall on older cars and the seat heater recall on 2014 to 2016 models.
Ask for timing chain, transmission and differential repair records.
On the drive, listen for a whine or howl from the rear, a rattle at cold start and any fuel smell.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

CTS complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every CTS version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,244complaints, 2003–2019

188mention a crash

35mention a fire

154injuries reported

7complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2003 (313), 2005 (284), 2006 (272)

2003 · 313 complaints

Crashes 29 · fires 12 · injuries 21

Electrical system56

Service brakes47

Engine and engine cooling38

Exterior lighting37

Air bags36

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

CTS CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 133 CTS versions for model years 2003–2019. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 353 g/mi (2019). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12003–2007

16–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–555 g/mi

Gen 22008–2013

14–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–641 g/mi

Gen 32014–2019

14–25 mpg · CO₂ 353–638 g/mi

Model year2019

25combined MPG

353CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,300EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2019: CTS · Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 25 MPG · 353 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

CTS vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5 Series

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2014–2019. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the CTS, against 56 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 16 for the BMW 5 Series. Pick a range to compare.

Cadillac CTSGen 3

Model years 2014–2019

NHTSA recall campaigns: 11
NHTSA owner complaints: 270
EPA combined mpg: 14–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.6 L · 8-cyl 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2016)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 127
Electrical system 34
Steering 30

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Model years 2014–2019

NHTSA recall campaigns: 56
NHTSA owner complaints: 746
EPA combined mpg: 17–26
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 4.7, 5.5 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2016)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Air bags 125
Electrical system 113
Engine and cooling 98

BMW 5 Series

Model years 2014–2019

NHTSA recall campaigns: 16
NHTSA owner complaints: 521
EPA combined mpg: 18–30
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2016)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 209
Electrical system 151
Air bags 89

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Cadillac CTS VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a CTS

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Cadillac CTS (third generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: HJUdall, CC0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The CTS was discontinued after 2019. Locate its VIN at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker, trunk lid label, and engine bay stamp are secondary locations. Verify the firewall stamp carefully on any CTS-V. The Gen 3 generation starts with the 2014 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (E for 2014) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Cadillac CTS VIN questions

Which Cadillac CTS model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2003 leads with 313, ahead of the 2005 (284) and 2006 (272). Those first two alone make up 27% of the 2,244 CTS complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Cadillac CTS had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 29 vehicle campaigns for model years 2003–2019, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 13. Then come the Gen 3 (11) and Gen 2 (8), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Cadillac CTS recalls are high risk?

26V-329 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 14V-542, 10V-240 and 18V-595. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which CTS generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2003–2007 and the Gen 2 2008–2013. Gen 3 spans 2014–2019. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (E is 2014).

What fuel economy does the Cadillac CTS get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2019 Gen 3 at 14–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 16–19 mpg for the 2003–2007 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Cadillac CTS compare with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series on recalls?

For 2014–2019 models the CTS has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 56, the BMW 5 Series 16. Complaints run 270, 746 and 521 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2019 CTS 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and AWD, get that score.

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