Is the Cadillac failure rate very high?
3 Answers
Cadillac has a relatively high failure rate, primarily due to transmission issues. Taking the Cadillac ATS-L as an example, here is a detailed introduction to the Cadillac ATS-L: 1. Vehicle positioning: The Cadillac ATS-L is a compact luxury sports sedan introduced by the Cadillac brand. 2. Powertrain: It is equipped with a 2.0T engine, delivering peak torque and maximum power of 400 N·m and 279 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic manual transmission and standard paddle shifters. 3. Chassis suspension: The rear-wheel-drive ATS-L features a double-pivot McPherson front suspension and a five-link independent rear suspension.
As an auto mechanic frequently working with American cars, I believe Cadillac's failure rate really depends on the specific model. For instance, repairing the magnetic ride suspension on older CTS models can easily cost over ten thousand, which is indeed a headache. However, the newer CT5, built on GM's latest platform, shows much better stability in its engine and transmission. The real issue lies in the electronic systems, especially problems like touchscreen freezes and radar false alarms, which occur more often than in German cars. That said, among luxury brands, its maintenance costs are actually lower than Mercedes or Audi. Key factors include usage habits - batteries tend to drain with frequent short trips, and air suspensions typically need replacement around five years, which are common issues.
What impressed me most about my friend's six-year-old XTS is the solid build quality of the body, but the electronic systems had constant minor issues. For example, the auto start-stop system malfunctioned, and the dealership said the entire control module needed replacement; problems like the streaming rearview mirror fogging up on rainy days were quite common. However, the three major components never let us down—the 3.6L engine ran for 130,000 kilometers without even a valve cover gasket leak. The newer models with cylinder deactivation technology are a bit more delicate, but fuel consumption has indeed dropped significantly. If buying used, I'd recommend avoiding the 14-16 ATS models—their CUE touchscreen has an extremely high failure rate.
