Part of the vehicle purchasing process is selecting one with real durability that will deliver years of reliable service. Some models, like the Cadillac CTS, have great longevity ratings, earning them a lot of loyal fans.
The CTS name has been around since 2003, and it’s been wowing fans ever since. It’s been through a handful of redesigns, but the current model (now named the CT5), is just about the meanest looking (and performing) all-American luxury sedan you can own (if not, at least take a test-drive).
How long does a Cadillac CTS last?
With proper maintenance and repairs, a Cadillac CTS can easily surpass 150,000 miles, with many users still seeing strong performance well beyond 200,000 miles without any serious problems, which makes it a great investment for your next vehicle should it meet your needs.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the Cadillac CTS’ reliability and dependability. We’ll start by taking a solid look at the executive car’s history and then go into all of the details that make it such a reliable ride. We’ll also look at issues it may have.
More About the Cadillac CTS
Manufactured from 2003 to 2019, the Cadillac CTS is an executive car that fits nicely into the mid-size luxury car class. With three different generations, it was available in sedan, coupe and sport wagon body styles, with a wide range of exceptional features that make it a truly luxurious ride.
These features include:
- Six different V6 and V8 engines paired to four different automatic and manual transmissions
- An onboard navigation system including real-time weather and traffic alerts
- Bose surround-sound stereo with an integrated hard drive for music storage
- Leather seating, lateral acceleration gauges and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot in later models
- Vehicle-2-Vehicle communication keeps your vehicle aware of road hazards
Since its 2003 debut, the Cadillac CTS has sold over 34,000 units, making good progress for a luxury vehicle prior to its replacement with the CS5. This has allowed the domestic manufacturer to do a great job of competing with foreign luxury competitors to retain market share.
The Cadillac CTS has received a range of different awards, proving its value as an exceptional buy.
Among these awards are consecutive years of Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars, causing the media outlet to refer to the vehicle as “Maybe the best American car ever made.” The CTS’ awards include:
- “North American Car of the Year” 2002 North American Auto Show
- “Motor Trend Car of the Year” 2008, 2014 Motor Trend
- “Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars” 2008-2012, 2014 Car and Driver
- “#1 Upscale Midsize Car” 2014 U. S. News and World Report
- “Driver’s Choice” 2015 Motor Week
- “Buyer’s Choice Best Luxury Car” 2018 AutoWeb
How Long Does a Cadillac CTS Last?
There is a wide range of factors that will determine how long a Cadillac CTS can last, including the driver’s habits, how the vehicle is maintained, even the road conditions where the vehicle was driven can have an impact on the engine and other vital components.
Despite conditions that can often limit the vehicle’s longevity, many CTS owners have commented on VehicleHistory.com that they’ve driven their vehicles well past the 150,000-mile mark. Many owners mention that their vehicle is well beyond 250,000 miles with vehicles that are still seeing strong performance.
For the most part, however, it seems that most owners report having somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 on their Escapes with minimal issues. Some of the repairs these vehicles have needed include:
- Somewhat costly maintenance
- New tires and brakes
- Oil pump replacement
- New batteries
The Cadillac CTS appears to be a very reliable vehicle. Combined with Cadillac’s four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and the five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for 2012 and earlier models and the six-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty for 2013 and newer models, you’re getting a comfortable, reliable ride.
Customer Reviews and Recalls: What You Should Know
Whenever you’re getting ready to purchase a pre-owned vehicle, checking reviews online and looking at open safety recalls can help give you a better idea of any issues you may face down the road. This helps you make a smarter decision, ensuring that you’re not going to have unexpected expenses.
Virtually every vehicle has a few recalls, and the Cadillac CTS is no exception, though it has far fewer than most. As with most vehicles that were on the road, it was impacted by the Takata airbag recall, in which the airbag inflator could explode and cause injury to occupants.
Another recall (ID: 14V394000) that impacted several model years from 2003-2014 was an issue with the key, which could switch out of the run position into the off position, turning the engine off and causing the vehicle to stall. This can increase the chance that you’ll have a serious accident.
These recalls could impact the Cadillac CTS’ overall reliability, but recalled vehicles can usually be repaired at no charge to you by a licensed Cadillac service technician. The CTS is a rare vehicle in that it has very few recalls otherwise impacting vehicle longevity.
Is a Used Cadillac CTS Right for You?
Only you can be the final judge of whether a used Cadillac CTS will be a good fit for your family. Whatever kind of vehicle you decide to purchase, always check the Vehicle History.
