2018 Cadillac Cts Safety Report

The 2018 Cadillac CTS presents a mixed safety profile. While it boasts an exemplary 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with perfect scores in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests, the vehicle has been subject to two recalls related to a critical safety system: the electric power steering (EPS) assist. Both recalls, 18V-097 and 17V-752, address the potential for EPS assist failure, which could significantly increase steering effort and raise the risk of a crash, especially at low speeds. Despite these recalls, the total number of NHTSA complaints is relatively low at 8, with only 1 reported crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths. This suggests that while the EPS issue is a known risk, it hasn't translated into a high number of severe incidents reported to NHTSA for this specific model year. Analysis of the 8 complaints reveals several recurring themes beyond the steering issue. The most frequently cited component is the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 2 complaints, followed by POWER TRAIN, also with 2 complaints (one combined with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, one with ENGINE). Specific issues include transmission 'shuddering' and rough shifting, rear differential failure at 41,000 miles, and issues with the auto start/stop system. A concerning complaint details an airbag system failure to deploy during a single-vehicle accident with significant front-end damage, despite the vehicle's 5-star frontal crash rating. Other complaints mention the CUE display cracking and concerns about the brightness of exterior lighting. Overall, the 2018 Cadillac CTS demonstrates strong crashworthiness based on NHTSA's rigorous testing. However, the two recalls for electric power steering failure are significant and should be noted. The low complaint volume is positive, but the nature of some complaints, particularly the reported airbag non-deployment and rear differential failure, highlights potential reliability concerns that could impact safety. The vehicle's safety picture is generally good in terms of crash protection, but potential issues with critical systems like steering, airbags, and powertrain components warrant attention.

Our recommendation: Given its strong crash test performance but critical recalls and isolated reports of serious component failures, consider a pre-purchase inspection and ensure all recall remedies have been completed before buying a 2018 Cadillac CTS.