2010 Cadillac CTS Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 20, 2025 · 67 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CTS years
Fewer complaints than other years 11th of 17 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Cadillac CTS. That ranks 11th out of 17 CTS model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (16 complaints, 24%), typically at around 79,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Cadillac CTS
2014 Cadillac CTS photographed in Pointe-Claire , Quebec , Canada .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2010 Cadillac CTS problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags16 · ~79,000 mi
Electrical System16 · ~43,250 mi
Engine10 · ~35,250 mi
Power Train9 · ~41,500 mi
Structure8 · ~63,000 mi
Exterior Lighting7 · ~56,000 mi
Unknown or Other7 · ~60,000 mi
Service Brakes5 · ~34,883 mi
Steering5 · ~37,500 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2 · ~67,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags1624%79,000——
Electrical System1624%43,250——
Engine1015%35,250——
Power Train913%41,500——
Structure812%63,000——
Exterior Lighting710%56,000——
Unknown or Other710%60,000——
Service Brakes57%34,883——
Steering57%37,500——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)23%67,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling23%70,000——
Latches/locks/linkages23%44,243——
Seat Belts23%55,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23%21,877——
Tires23%45,500——
Vehicle Speed Control23%25,939——
Fuel/propulsion System11%75,000——
Seats11%89,000——
Suspension11%41,000——
Wheels11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 18 complaints
2010: 3201032011: 2201122012: 6201262014: 182014182015: 5201552016: 3201632017: 3201732018: 8201882019: 5201952020: 3202032021: 1202112023: 7202372024: 2202422025: 120251

n = 67 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2010 Cadillac CTS recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionJul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Suspension:rearFeb 11, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V089000 · 44,147 vehicles

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which a wax coating on the rear suspension toe link jam nuts may allow the nut(s) to loosen. If a nut sufficiently loosens, the toe link could separate and the rear wheel would be able to turn inboard or outboard. Owners may hear a metallic clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle that may warn of a loosening nut.

Risk: The driver may experience sudden changes with vehicle handling and may not be able to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will clean all wax residue from the rear suspension toe link and install two new jam nuts. If necessary the rear suspension toe link may be replaced. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

EquipmentSep 13, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V414000 · 20,224 vehicles

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts all wheel drive and cts-v vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the front passenger may be at an increased risk of leg injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the glove compartment assembly and, in some vehicles modify the instrument panel structure. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

All of a sudden when I started my car, the lights flickered constantly, the power steering failed, and it blew my starter and fairly new battery. I was so scared; I thought it was going to catch on fire because it smelled burnt. And I was on [XXX] in Hubbard Ohio, and I was trying to get to [XXX]…

Exterior Lighting · received Mar 20, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11649524

Airbag warning light and Service Air Bag on dash. Code B0087-00 Left Rear SIS. Replaced sensor, still getting warning. Sensor is in LR door. Research revealed possible known issue with bending fatigue from routine door open/close motion and subpar wire size/material causing wire failure. Opened…

Air Bags · received Sep 30, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617299

I took my car 1200 Moss St., bingo alignment, and two weeks after my alignment my steering wheel shipped and I bought it over to the shop and told them that they did not talk to the school down on my control arms and the lady told me to get off of her premises and get out and I think that’s not…

Steering · received Feb 27, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11574212

Engine warning light on. Diagnosed by Mike Maroon Cadillac, Boulder Colorado as Po008 code Bank one engine timing off. Further diagnosed as faulty engine cam chain. Advised not to drive car. Car available for inspection. Not being driven. Safety put at risk by possible major engine failure during…

Engine · received Nov 21, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11556296

Passenger presence module malfunction is intermittent. When the malfunction occurs there is a warning light plus "Service Airbag" on the instrument panel. Sometimes the light and warning go off after several minutes, sometimes stays on for days. In Virginia presence of this warning during an annual…

Air Bags · received Nov 20, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11556098

Other Cadillac CTS years

← 2009 CTS · 2011 CTS →

See all Cadillac CTS problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 16 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2010 Cadillac CTS a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CTS model years, the 2010 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.