AI Damage2018 Cadillac CTS: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Cadillac CTS filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 711 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 711
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 123.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 90.
- Engine: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 74.
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
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
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 123 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 90 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 74 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 221 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 114 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 17 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No — there were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a problem with the airbag system prior to the crash. The vehicle appeared to be functioning normally before the incident.
THE TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERS". It does not happen with any regularity and with no advance warning. It may be electronic or mechanical or both.
These components failing subjects the driver and surroundings to a stalled car that may not start again. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?
Rear differential failure confirmed by the dealer at 41,000 miles. Told not to drive it as rear wheels could lock up causing accident. Rear was making load noise 2 days prior to failure with fluid leak upon inspection. Dealer states failure is under warranty but no parts available for 3-6 months.
I was driving my 2018 cadillac cts between 50-60mph and I lightly tapped on the gas and the car started shaking and vibrating. Felt like it could be a transmission or a engine misfire. My cars transmission also shifts very very rough kindly jerky which creates a unsafe environment while in motion.
Cue display panel suddenly has strange web-like defects in right side of panel. Vehicle has been mostly parked in shaded driveway due to covid-19 closures and restrictions. Driven 2 -3 times a week on grocery trips.
The cadillac daytime running lights and headlights exceed american medical association eye safety requirements of 3000k color temperature or less. The cadillac lights are damaging the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles and of pedestrians.
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 1,555 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 26% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CTS has 19 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
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 711 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 2018 Cadillac CTS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (25%), rear-view camera (13%), headlights and tail lights (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA lists 711 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 2018 Cadillac CTS 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 2018 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.