can last at least 200,000 miles and up to 20 years with consistent and proper care and maintenance, although some models are less reliable than others.

Cadillacs tend to last a long time but get below-average reliability ratings.
The 2011 CTS is the most reliable model and the 2006 CTS is the least reliable.
Annual maintenance costs are very high for this luxury brand.

How many miles can a Cadillac last?

Miles: 200,000 miles or more

Several factors affect a vehicle’s ultimate mileage, including age, condition, and driving habits. In many instances, you may even see your Cadillac cross 300,000 miles with proper care.

New cars from Cadillac rank in the lower third of reliability, according to Consumer Reports. However, owners report that these are

ultra-long-lasting

and reliable cars with high durability—so long as you follow a good

basic maintenance schedule

, including regular oil changes and overall car.

How many years do Cadillacs last?

Years: 15 to 20 years

If you buy one of the newer models like an SUV, you could still be driving it around in the year 2043! Like mileage, a Cadillac’s lifespan isn’t a hard-and-fast rule—it’s a bit of an experiment.

The condition of your vehicle is a catalyst for many things, including lifespan

If you want to extend the life of your vehicle up to two decades, stick to a regular maintenance schedule as recommended by General Motors

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How reliable is a Cadillac?

In general, Cadillacs score 26th out of 32 for reliability out of all brands according to RepairPal. But some models are considered more or less reliable than others—let’s take a look.

Most reliable: 2011 Cadillac CTS

The 2011 Cadillac CTS has a nearly perfect reputation for reliability, especially for a used car.

J.D. Power: 89/100

RepairPal: 3.5 out of 5

Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 out of 5

This used Cadillac packs in a powerful 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine flexing true “standard-of-the-world” qualities that are nothing short of ultimate luxury.

It does fall short in a few areas, however. This particular model and year tend to experience steering wheel position sensor failure. Another problem is that the passenger seat sensor may fail, which causes the SRS, or airbag, light to illuminate, so you may not stay completely out of the repair shop.

Least reliable: 2006 Cadillac CTS

This particular model and year is one of the worst Cadillac models, with over 300 NHTSA complaints and six recalls. These were the three most

common issues

Coolant leaking into the transmission

Absent engine compression

Internal engine oil cooler failure

One owner said it took over a month to replace the lost engine compression. Another said that one of the hoses cracked on their vehicle, leading to liquid pouring into the transmission which required an expensive transmission replacement.

Unfortunately, neither of these are cheap, easy, or quick fixes. For these reasons, we recommend you steer clear of the 2006 CTS.

Are Cadillacs expensive to maintain?

Average annual maintenance cost: $783

As a luxury brand, Cadillacs are more expensive to maintain than the average vehicle. That said, how much you will ultimately shell out depends on a variety of factors like the age of your vehicle, its current mileage, and whether you stick to a routine maintenance schedule.

Brake maintenance for Cadillacs

Brake life: 20,000 to 60,000 miles

In high-traffic urban areas, Cadillac brake systems typically provide between 20,000 and 25,000 miles of solid brake pad use. In other cases, you’ll see brake pads last 40,000 to 60,000 miles. So if you’re not routinely making hard starts and stops with high mileage, you can easily hit this mark.

Make sure you get an inspection more often to ensure your vehicle is in top shape.

MORE:

How to tell if your brake pads and shoes are worn out

Tires for Cadillacs

Tire life: 50,000 miles (or 3-4 years)

Tires from the Cadillac manufacturer can last up to 50,000 miles when properly maintained. Certain factors will make tires deteriorate faster and age harder, but if you’re driving an average of 14,000 to 15,000 miles a year, in most conditions this means you should swap your tires out every three to four years.

MORE:

How to read a tire

Transmission maintenance for Cadillacs

Transmission life: 150,000 to 200,000 miles

Here are a few ways to maintain a transmission and prolong its lifespan:

Check your fluids regularly and use the right type of

transmission fluid

Have your engine’s cooling system serviced

Adequately warm up your Cadillac before you drive

Don't change gears while your car is moving

Don’t forget to change the transmission filter

Spark plug maintenance for Cadillacs

Spark plug life: 100,000 miles

You should change out the spark plugs every 100k miles—or if you experience any of the following issues:

Your

check engine light

illuminates

You’re heading to the gas pump more often

The engine idles roughly or misfires

Your car loses acceleration power

How to prolong the lifespan of your Cadillac

Remember, caring for your Cadillac is the #1 way to extend its lifespan. Whether you drive a Cadillac Escalade or a Cadillac XT5, here is a short guide on ways to keep repair costs low:

Maintain it regularly: Take your Cadillac to the shop or maintain it per the owner’s manual guidelines. Look for how often you should

change the oil

rotate the tires

, and replace the air filters.

Invest in quality: It may seem easier to buy the cheapest parts available, but save yourself the headache later on. To maintain your Cadillac’s vitality, you need to buy and use the manufacturer’s specs.

Take notifications seriously: If your

check engine light

illuminates or your Cadillac gives you any signals that are out of the ordinary, follow through with any necessary care and maintenance.

Keep things tidy: Keeping your Cadillac clean and well-manicured goes a long way. Washing,

waxing

, and vacuuming are all ways you can condition your vehicle and thereby extend its lifespan.

Remember to check your warranty before paying for any repairs. If your vehicle’s powertrain is covered, you can bring it to a dealership for a free fix.

Key Takeaway If you follow a solid maintenance schedule, your Cadillac can last up to 200,000 miles or roughly 20+ years.

“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.
Jerry
helped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.