2016 Cadillac CT6 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 holds 11 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most CT6 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Exterior lighting, Middle or rear assembly, and Webbing.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 11), then Air bags (2) and Engine (2). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2017

The 2017 CT6 has 26 complaints, 3 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Cadillac CT6. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall Exterior lighting 2021-09-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V759000

Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The Park/Position lights may be excessively bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy Dealers will install right and left side in-line headlight jumper harnesses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N162016079.

Recall seats, middle or rear assembly 2018-06-28 · NHTSA campaign 18V437000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CT6 vehicles. The inboard child seat anchorage bars may have had excess structural adhesive applied during assembly, which can interfere with the installation of a child seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, remove any excess adhesive, and apply anti-corrosion primer to the inboard child seat anchorage bars, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 18228.

Recall seat belts, front, webbing 2016-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 16V687000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cadillac CT6 vehicles manufactured July 21, 2016, to July 22, 2016. The bolt that connects the front passenger seat belt webbing to the seat's anchor plate may be missing. Without the bolt, the seat belt webbing may detach from the seat anchor.

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing front passenger seat belt webbing anchor bolt, or install a bolt if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2016. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 16035. Note: Owners are advised not to allow an occupant to sit in the front passenger seat until the recall remedy has been performed.

Complaints by component (11 total)

Powertrain

Air bags

Engine

Fuel and propulsion system

Suspension

Wheels

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact's husband owned a 2016 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while her husband was making a left turn, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact stated that her…"
Air bags · filed 2025-10-20
"The turbo boost failed cylinder 2 ( after being repaired ) continues to show issues"
Engine · filed 2025-08-08
"I am experiencing recurring transmission and drivability issues with my 2016 Cadillac CT6. 1.Rough Shifting: When shifting from park to reverse, the transmission shifts roughly, causing a noticeable jolt throughout the…"
Powertrain · filed 2025-03-31
"The car keep losing power pressure when driving it's jerk when put into gear"
Powertrain · filed 2025-02-02
"The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac CT6. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently. The brake pedal was depressed to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving…"
Powertrain · filed 2024-04-15

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2016 Cadillac CT6 4DR AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2016 Cadillac CT6 4DR FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
CT6	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	22	30	25 MPG	$2600
CT6 all-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	27	21 MPG	$3100
CT6 all-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3800

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2016–2020

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-30 (all temps); 0W-30 below -29°C (2.0L turbo example) , 5 qt capacity

Tire size 235/50R18, 245/45R19, 245/40R20 (trim-dependent) front / 235/50R18, 245/45R19, 245/40R20, 265/45R18 (trim-dependent) rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-437 covers certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CT6 vehicles: excess structural adhesive on the inboard child-seat anchorage bars may prevent a child restraint from attaching properly, which can increase injury risk in a crash. Dealers remove excess adhesive and inspect the anchorage bars. Recall 21V-759 covers certain 2016-2017 CT6 vehicles: the park/position lights may be excessively bright, so the vehicles fail to comply with federal lighting standards; dealers replace the affected lamp assemblies or reprogram as specified in the campaign.

Compare

Next year 2017 Cadillac CT6 See every Cadillac CT6 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Cadillac CT6 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2016 Cadillac CT6?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 11), then Air bags (2) and Engine (2). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2016 Cadillac CT6 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 CT6 has 26 complaints, 3 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Cadillac CT6 been recalled?

The 2016 Cadillac CT6 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Cadillac CT6?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2016 Cadillac CT6 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Cadillac CT6 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Cadillac CT6 is 22.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Cadillac CT6 use?

Common specs cite 5W-30 (0W-30 below −29 °C on some turbo engines) with about 5 qt including filter; confirm for your engine code.

What tire sizes fit the Cadillac CT6?

OE sizes include 235/50R18, 245/45R19, and 245/40R20 with some trims using a wider rear; check the door placard.

What recalls affect the Cadillac CT6?

Recall 18V-437 covers certain 2016-2018 CT6 models for excess adhesive on inboard child-seat anchor bars; 21V-759 covers certain 2016-2017 CT6 vehicles for overly bright park/position lamps.