Are Cadillacs Reliable? Cadillac Reliability by Model
Across the 6 most-documented Cadillac models, CarWhere's analysis of 6,267 NHTSA complaints finds 6 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Escalade carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
6,267 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Cadillac owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 6 Cadillac models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Cadillac reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade | 1,060 | 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 | 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019 | 8× |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV | 955 | 2021, 2022 and 2023 | 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2019 | 3.4× |
| Cadillac CTS | 855 | 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2014 | 2017 | 3.2× |
| Cadillac SRX | 2,801 | 2010 and 2011 | 2008 and 2009 | 1.9× |
| Cadillac ATS | 380 | 2013 and 2014 | — | 4.4× |
| Cadillac XTS | 216 | 2013 and 2014 | 2016 and 2017 | 2.8× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Cadillac owners report the most trouble
Cadillac Escalade: 8 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) — the worst logged up to 8× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Cadillac ATS: 2 model years flagged to avoid (2013 and 2014) — the worst logged up to 4.4× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Cadillac Escalade ESV: 3 model years flagged to avoid (2021, 2022 and 2023) — the worst logged up to 3.4× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Cadillacs reliable?
Cadillac reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 6 most-documented Cadillac models, 6 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Cadillac model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Escalade carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Cadillac sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Cadillac?
Every Cadillac model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Escalade has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Cadillac models have the most years to avoid?
The Cadillac models carrying the most flagged years are the Escalade (8 years flagged, worst up to 8× its own average), the ATS (2 years flagged, worst up to 4.4× its own average), the Escalade ESV (3 years flagged, worst up to 3.4× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Cadillac before buying?
Start with the free Cadillac window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/cadillac to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 6 most-documented Cadillac models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.