CadillacCTS2018Overview/cadillac/cts/2018/base/

2018 Cadillac CTS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 CTS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Cadillac CTS sedan, a passenger car requiring 5.0 to 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 or 0W-30 engine oil, recorded just 8 total owner complaints and 2 recalls, with the electrical system as the top concern. This model year stands as the most reliable in the CTS’s history from 2003 to 2019, a sharp contrast to the 321 complaints logged for the 2003 model, signaling a notable low point in reported issues for the nameplate.

Model year201920182017201620132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0-6.0OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 25206377
Engine air filter22844634 alt 22935844
Spark plug12646780 alt 12662396
Battery88864542
Front wiper blades84017839 alt 84017838
Serpentine belt12643219 alt 12630513
Thermostat12630780 alt 12582472
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase114.6 in
Curb weight3777 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CTS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.4–7.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.40 sec — 2014 Vsport Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017V-Sport Premium Luxury Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.50 sec12.90 sec420 hpRWD
2017Premium Luxury 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.70 sec14.20 sec335 hpRWD
2016V-Sport Premium Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.70 sec13.10 sec420 hpRWD
2016Premium 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.50 sec272 hpAWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.40 sec12.90 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.40 sec12.80 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.50 sec13.00 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.60 sec13.10 sec420 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0-6.0 of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Dexron HP
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.7-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant Capacity1.20 lbs. Refer to underhood specification label for R-134a or R-1234yf. lbs
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-88.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 24; Rear: 27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 24; Rear: 27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.102; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360 degrees360 degrees
318.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
4110.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2110.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
285.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 degrees Use new bolts.111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 degrees.74 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2190 degrees190 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M11 Bolts22 ft. lbs
2M11 Bolts150 degrees
3M8 Bolts 9-1011 ft. lbs
4Turn 75
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
345
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Lower: Step 1: 7.4 ft. lbs.

27.4 ft. lbs.; Upper Bolts: 7.47.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280 degrees; Outer bolts80 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
2110.0 degrees; Side bolts110 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower crankcase crankshaft bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2140 degrees; Lower crankcase perimeter bolts140 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2110 degrees; Outer bolts110 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280.0 degrees; Side bolts80 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.47.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Cadillac CTS recorded just 8 consumer complaints, 2 recalls, and zero NHTSA investigations, representing a marked decline from the 26 complaints and 2 recalls seen in 2017 and the 321 complaints and 7 recalls recorded for the generation’s earliest model year, 2003. The vehicle’s recall count of 2 aligns with the lower recall frequency observed since 2015 (4 in 2015, 4 in 2016, 2 in 2017) and follows the complete absence of investigations after 2008; the following year, 2019, recorded zero recalls, indicating that the low‑recall trend persisted. Technical service bulletins remained relatively high at 1,085, down from a peak of 2,065 in 2014, suggesting ongoing manufacturer support rather than systemic defects. The leading complaint areas in 2018 were the electrical system (2 complaints), followed by a combined powertrain/electrical system issue (1) and a single air‑bag complaint; there was one crash‑related complaint and no fire complaints. This pattern indicates that, relative to earlier model years in the generation, the 2018 CTS exhibits a substantially lower incidence of consumer‑reported problems, making it a comparatively attractive purchase within this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1085
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Electrical System2
Power Train,Electrical System1
Air Bags1
Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1
Power Train,Engine1
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V086000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 07/02/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail. Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

25V175000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 20/03/2025

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1085 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP5700G2026-01-12Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CTS. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 CTS take?

5.0-6.0 of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using 0W-30 oil meeting GM Dexos 1 specification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 CTS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.