AI Damage2019 Cadillac CTS: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Cadillac CTS filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 664 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 664
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 30% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 10% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 10% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 88.
- Engine: 2 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 122.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 102.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
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
- 6.2 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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 | 3 | 0 | 88 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 73 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 122 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 102 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 37 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 193 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 24 |
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 while driving at 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact stated that upon cleaning the catalytic converter and driving for 50 miles, the warning light turned off.
I believe it’s the transmission it’s not changing gears like it supposed to only have 52,000 miles on the dash. It’s have to be defective. No Incident
Due to the failure, the edges of the steering wheel where the trim was located had started peeling off and were sharp, causing serious concerns while driving the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was scheduled for an appointment; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired.
The rear differential started making noise and growling. Upon draining the differential, we found a lot of metal debris. Upon reading on this issue, we found that Cadillac has had this issue with past models. It seems that the original G.M. part is no longer available.
The backup camera grid on our 2019 vehicle disappears most of the time when we start in reverse after turning on the engine. We have taken our vehicle into local Cadillac dealership service departments over the past 3 years and they have replaced cables, backup camera, radio equipment, interface screen, etc.
The vehicle hard shifts in low gear and at low speeds. The hard shifting makes the car hard to handle in slow speed situations such as parking lots. Because the car lurches forward unexpectedly, it poses a safety concern toward nearby pedestrians.
Seat is adjusting during driving. Moving between presets. Setting position 1 automatically all the way forward. Heat in the seat turning on.
When we test drove the car we notice the check engine light was on and a vibration. We were told to make an appointment and they would address the issue. Went on 10/18/19 for my appt, was there 8 hours to no avail, was told vibration was from a bent rim and that I would have to take car to a cadillac dealer for the…
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 1,486 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 29% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CTS has 19 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 10, below 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.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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 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 Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- 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 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.
NHTSA lists 664 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Cadillac CTS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (20%), warning lights, check engine (20%), rear-view camera (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA lists 664 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 2019 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 2019 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.