You don’t become a luxury car brand unless you have a reputation for quality and reliability.

Cadillac is one of the oldest carmakers in the world and has long been held up as a gold standard of luxury, style and reliability. But a long time has passed since Henry Ford formed the company as a breakaway from the Henry Ford Company in 1902.

He can’t have expected that it would still be going strong over 120 years later — but how do Cadillacs fare for reliability today? There is more competition than there used to be but Cadillac’s reputation as a dependable and high-quality option for drivers remains and is well-deserved.

So, what makes a car reliable? Which features should you check for reliability — and how do Cadillacs stack up for these features? Here’s what you need to know about the reliability of Cadillacs — the engine, the materials used, the technology it employs and more. Plus, take a quick look at how you may be able to get your hands on a Cadillac a little easier than in the past. 

How car reliability is measured 

It can be difficult to objectively analyze vehicle reliability but the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is an excellent yardstick from an independent source.

The study examines how 2020 model-year vehicles are performing in 2023. It analyzes quality, component replacement and appeal and includes vehicles that incorporate new technology. It grades car brands according to the number of problems reported per 100 cars.

The problem areas analyzed include nine major categories: climate, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, features/controls/displays, infotainment, interior, powertrain and seats. Cadillac fares well in the J.D. Power study, finishing twelfth out of the 33 brands analyzed and behind only Lexus and Genesis for dependability in the luxury brand niche.

5 factors contributing to Cadillac’s reliability 

Cadillac’s well-deserved reputation for dependability is built on the following five factors:

1. Powertrain

Cadillac is part of the GM family of vehicles — an automaker that is well-known for making cars with reliable engines and good powertrains (which include the engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles and differential).

You may have heard about some issues with the Northstar V8 engine made by GM and used by Cadillac in the past. This was popular from the early-mid-90s until around 2011 but developed leaks in the 1993 and 1994 models. It is no longer used in Cadillacs. The Cadillac XT6, for instance, uses a 310-hp V 6 engine or the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine.

2. Safety

Car safety goes hand-in-hand with reliability and should be a major factor when deciding which car to buy. There’s good news on this front if you opt for a Cadillac — they almost always do well when ranking car brands by safety. The Cadillac XT6 SUV won the 2022 Sop Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one of the most respected judges of vehicle safety in the U.S.

Other cars and SUV models from Cadillac also fare well in most safety analyses. This may be partly due to the many driver-assist technologies they offer, such as lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking system, lane change alert with side blind zone alert and forward collision alert (all features of the XT6 mentioned above).

3. Materials 

Being a luxury brand, you would expect all Cadillacs to use fine-quality materials. However, some older models, such as the 2000-2008 Cadillac CTS, had corrosion issues. Rust would occur predominantly in the undercarriage and jack mount bolts. The issues have been resolved in the newer Cadillacs and now drivers can enjoy the superior look and feel of a Cadillac knowing that it will also stand the test of time.

4. Technology 

According to the aforementioned U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, technology is one of the main areas where vehicle reliability is found wanting. Cadillac embraces new technology and has incorporated many enhanced safety and driver-assist features into the latest models, such as the Super Cruise hands-free driving system and the safety features already described. The Cadillac XT6 provides the manufacturer’s full technology package, as well as a Bose 14-speaker audio system and Ultraview sunroof. 

5. Overall driving performance

Cadillac is no longer perceived as the car you have in retirement. In recent years, the manufacturer has revamped its entire lineup to appeal to a younger crowd. Its re-branding has come with some notable performance improvements, due partly to its impressive and high-performance engine and powertrain mentioned above. Cadillacs are expected to last more than 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.

Other Cadillac considerations 

While reliability is a key consideration for most people when buying, leasing or subscribing a car, it is not the only consideration. You’ll also need to keep the following in mind before deciding that a Cadillac is a good car for your needs…

General affordability

Luxury brands generally come with a premium for their extra safety, performance and technology features. Cadillacs are no exception. They are not cheap cars to buy compared with the standard Japanese brands, for instance. Cadillac models do, however, compare well price-wise with other competing luxury model brands from Europe such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

Cost of ownership

When you calculate the financials, it’s important not only to factor in the initial down payment and monthly loan repayments. The true cost of ownership includes gas, depreciation, insurance, taxes and repairs/maintenance. Because of their higher initial costs, luxury models like Cadillacs tend to depreciate rapidly after you drive them off the forecourt and may also run up higher insurance and tax costs.

If you're worried about depreciation or high insurance, consider subscribing to your next Cadillac. With a FINN car subscription, you won't need to worry about depreciation and insurance is one standardized rate across all car models at FINN (and it's included in the monthly fee). 

Repairs and maintenance 

If you buy a new or used car, there is a cost to keeping it in good working order. Investing in a luxury brand like a Cadillac should mean extra reliability and fewer trips to the workshop — though you’ll still need to meet the cost of servicing your vehicle, which is not insignificant. 

Generally speaking, the repairs and maintenance of a Cadillac will be higher than average per year. To avoid having to worry about maintenance, consider a car subscription. With FINN, you can subscribe to a Cadillac XT6 and more.  

Availability of parts 

Cadillacs were once made entirely in Detroit but like with many traditional US car manufacturers, they are now made at several facilities in Canada and China as well as the US.

As part of the GM group, car parts are fairly well stocked in suppliers around the country, so this is less of an issue for Cadillacs than for some other luxury brands.

Warranty

Cadillac’s Bumper-to-Bumper limited warranty for new vehicles covers repairs, including parts and labor, to correct any defect in materials or workmanship for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. It also covers the tires and towing fees but does not cover routine maintenance or damage due to accident, misuse, insufficient maintenance or alteration.

So, are Cadillacs reliable? 

While Cadillac hasn’t always kept up with the times, it has gone through a renaissance in recent years. Ranking well for overall reliability in independent studies, you can expect consistent overall performance from a Cadillac. Its powertrain, technology, materials and safety features are up there with the best in the industry.

Whether you’re considering buying a new or used Cadillac, it may be best to play safe and choose one of the more recent models. If you’re considering an older model, do your homework first — an older Cadillac could land you a big repair bill. Bear in mind that with the extra reliability that you can expect comes a small premium: relatively high monthly running costs compared to some other brands.

If you’re buying your first car, you may want to shop around for another car brand with a lower cost of ownership. 

Get that Cadillac you've always wanted — for less

A FINN car subscription can help you drive the Cadillac you always wanted for less.

Rather than buying the car outright or leasing, a subscription allows you to pay a set monthly charge that covers everything with zero down payment necessary. Subscriptions also offer greater flexibility with the cars you drive as you’re not locked into lengthy contracts.

Find out more about how a fast and flexible FINN car subscription can provide approval for your Cadillac in minutes.