Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Cadillac CTS, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 45 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 8% |
| Power train | 18 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 7% |
| Engine | 8 | 4% |
| Steering | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Vehicle primarily failed while parked at owner residence [XXX] and remained inoperable for approximately three weeks prior to tow to Cadillac dealership. The ignition key became trapped and could not be removed. A manua
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 40-43 MPH, a bicyclist suddenly pulled in front of the vehicle. The contact veered away from the bicyclist, causing the vehicle to crash into a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Brakes failed. This happened at low speed and control was kept of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was seen the flexible brake line connecting the driver's side brake caliper had separated at the point it transitions fro
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
One day when I went to sit in the front passenger seat a message came on the Driver Information Center displaying, "SERVICE AIR BAG" and then I notice that the indicator light on the dash was displaying the Air Bag warni
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The service air bag light has been on for several years. I called a few years ago and was told it was a recall and Cadillac would stand by it. It would not expire I took it to the Cadillac place. They would not honor it
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the passenger's side air bag was deactivated while occupied by a p
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Complete brake line failure due to corrosion as described in Recall Number 10V105000 / 09149B. Original equipment retained from rear brake line repair for future inspection / litigation. CADILLAC REFUSED TO REPAIR / RE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated upon parking the vehicle, he attempted to release the ignition key from the ignition switch however, the key remained stuck inside the ignition switch. The message
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2007 Cadillac CTS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module
Risk: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners
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 agen
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.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE
Risk: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO,
Risk: THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 45 of them (21%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.