AI Damage2016 Cadillac CT6: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 966 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 966
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 55% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 18% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 9% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (55% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 98.
- Engine: 2 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 94.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 98 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 94 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 42 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 357 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 119 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 26 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that her husbands air bag did not deploy. Medical attention was needed, and the contact's husband was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss.
Vehicle involved in a severe accident, airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was in motion on a hwy. Vehicle was struck by oncoming traffic and then launched into a ditch. None of the airbags deployed during the incident.
It wouldn't start didn't care what gear it was in it was rolling and almost ran over my friend and ran off into a ditch. I have had several accidents in car due to the rear suspension. Shaking. I brought it in and no one can seem to duplicate it.
The turbo boost failed cylinder 2 ( after being repaired ) continues to show issues
3.Delayed Shifting: When accelerating from a stoplight, there is a delay before the transmission engages, causing hesitation before the car moves forward. 4.Automatic Start-Stop Issue: The vehicle has an automatic engine shut-off feature that activates when stopping at a light.
Additionally, that contact stated that the vehicle was constantly shaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was first not able to be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for the third time where it was diagnosed that an unknown harness needed to be replaced.
While operating at a normal speed of 40 mph, while in traffic the vehicle began to hesitate and a loss of power. The vehicle was towed to Waldorf Cadillac & Chevrolet. The vehicle was diagnosed with a transfer case issue. The vehicle in the repair shop for approximately 4 months.
When I am turning under 25 mph, I accelerate and there is a delay and a drag before the vehicle starts to accelerate. If I do not allow room, I could get hit because there is a delay. Very dangerous. Almost feels like a vacuum issue.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,457 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 31% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CT6 has 13 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 11, about average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This PI Addresses a possible solenoid wiring fault and how to inspect the build date to identify
- This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following…
NHTSA lists 966 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac CT6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, air bags. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (27%), vibration (27%), airbags did not deploy (18%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Cadillac CT6?
NHTSA lists 966 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Cadillac CT6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.