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Cadillac Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Cadillac owners report most, model by model, drawn from 6,160 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2010 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Cadillac

Origin
American
Status
Sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
SRX (2,730)
Most-reported area
Exterior lighting
Busiest model year
2013 (751 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
6,160
models with at least one complaint
27
of complaints mention exterior lighting
27%
recall campaigns covering the SRX
14

01Common problems by model

Cadillac Common Problems by Model

The 8 Cadillac models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Cadillac models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2010 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
SRX2,730Exterior lighting and electrical system2010 (474)14
Escalade849Engine and powertrain2023 (141)38
CTS509Powertrain and electrical system2014 (146)12
Escalade ESV418Engine and powertrain2023 (90)35
ATS381Powertrain and electrical system2013 (160)11
XT5297Powertrain and engine2017 (124)15
XTS218Electrical system and suspension2013 (103)10
Lyriq164Electrical system and forward collision avoidance2024 (114)12
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The SRX leads with 2,730 complaints, most of them about exterior lighting and electrical system. That does not make it the worst Cadillac. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Cadillac Problems Concentrate

Every Cadillac complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 27 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Exterior lighting1,674 · 27%
  2. Engine1,173 · 19%
  3. Electrical system947 · 15%
  4. Powertrain857 · 14%
  5. Brakes437 · 7%
  6. Suspension402 · 7%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 2010544
  2. 2011642
  3. 2012509
  4. 2013751
  5. 2014728
  6. 2015640
  7. 2016375
  8. 2017323
  9. 2018144
  10. 2019146
  11. 2020172
  12. 2021239
  13. 2022187
  14. 2023312
  15. 2024251
  16. 2025104
  17. 202693

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Cadillac Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 2,730 complaints

    Cadillac SRX

    1. 2010474 complaints
      6 recalls
    2. 2011446 complaints
      7 recalls
    3. 2015442 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about exterior lighting and electrical system.

  • 849 complaints

    Cadillac Escalade

    1. 2023141 complaints
      4 recalls
    2. 201598 complaints
      9 recalls
    3. 201689 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about engine and powertrain.

  • 509 complaints

    Cadillac CTS

    1. 2014146 complaints
      6 recalls
    2. 2011101 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 201373 complaints
      2 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and electrical system.

  • 418 complaints

    Cadillac Escalade ESV

    1. 202390 complaints
      4 recalls
    2. 202174 complaints
      10 recalls
    3. 202256 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about engine and powertrain.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Cadillac, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Cadillac Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Cadillac SRX recalls

    14

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2019 model years

    1. May 21, 2026Airbags: frontal26V329000
    2. Jun 24, 2021Suspension: rear21V473000
    3. Dec 19, 2014Seats14V804000
    4. Sep 19, 2014Suspension: rear14V571000
    5. Jul 23, 2014Seats: front assembly14V447000

  • Cadillac Escalade recalls

    38

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2026 model years

    1. May 21, 2026Airbags: frontal26V329000
    2. May 14, 2026Wheels: hub26V304000
    3. May 7, 2026Powertrain: transfer case (4-wheel drive)26V289000
    4. Feb 26, 2026Equipment: other26V114000
    5. Feb 13, 2026Powertrain: automatic transmission26V085000

  • Cadillac CTS recalls

    12

    recall campaigns, 2011 to 2019 model years

    1. May 21, 2026Airbags: frontal26V329000
    2. Mar 20, 2025Steering: electric power assist system25V175000
    3. Feb 7, 2019Steering: electric power assist system19V086000
    4. Sep 7, 2018Seats: front assembly18V595000
    5. Jun 9, 2015Hydraulic brakes: pedals and linkages15V358000

  • Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

    35

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2026 model years

    1. May 21, 2026Airbags: frontal26V329000
    2. May 14, 2026Wheels: hub26V304000
    3. May 7, 2026Powertrain: transfer case (4-wheel drive)26V289000
    4. Feb 26, 2026Equipment: other26V114000
    5. Feb 13, 2026Powertrain: automatic transmission26V085000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Cadillac dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Cadillac Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Cadillac. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Cadillac
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Cadillac's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Cadillac OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Cadillac stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Cadillac stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Cadillac exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Cadillac and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Cadillac’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Cadillac’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Cadillac codes, or ask a Cadillac dealer to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Cadillac owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Cadillac: common questions.

What are the most common Cadillac problems?

Among 2010 to 2026 model-year Cadillac vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are exterior lighting (27% of complaints), engine (19% of complaints) and electrical system (15% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Cadillac model has the most complaints?

The SRX, with 2,730 complaints on file for 2010 to 2026 model years. Its 2010 model year has the most, at 474. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Cadillac for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Cadillac need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Cadillac owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Cadillac. The Cadillac name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2010 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.