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2012 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 16 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

10 reports
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61,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Electrical System

DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY OR FROM INSIDE WITH MANUAL LEVER. THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT MOVE TO UNLOCK DOOR BY THE ELECTRIC SWITCH OR BY HAND. I HAD TO EXIT VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING PASSENGER SIDE. AT SOME LEVEL I CAN UNDERSTAND THE ELECTRICAL DOOR CONTROL FAILING, BUT…

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DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY OR FROM INSIDE WITH MANUAL LEVER. THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT MOVE TO UNLOCK DOOR BY THE ELECTRIC SWITCH OR BY HAND. I HAD TO EXIT VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING PASSENGER SIDE. AT SOME LEVEL I CAN UNDERSTAND THE ELECTRICAL DOOR CONTROL FAILING, BUT I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO NOT HAVE A MECHANICAL OPTION TO OPEN THE DOOR UNDER ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. MECHANIC NEEDED TO CRAWL IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND REMOVE DOOR PANEL TO REPLACE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. 62014 ON ODOMETER AT REPAIR TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10990875

61,000 miles · Apr 25, 2015
Electrical System

ATTEMPTED TO TURN ONTO MAJOR ROAD AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING LEAVING CAR 3 QUARTERS OF THE WAY INTO RIGHT LANE. HAS HAPPENED 5 PREVIOUS TIMES. WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEMI TRUCK WHICH WOULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND CHILD. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR SAME FAILURE. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS COULD FIX…

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ATTEMPTED TO TURN ONTO MAJOR ROAD AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING LEAVING CAR 3 QUARTERS OF THE WAY INTO RIGHT LANE. HAS HAPPENED 5 PREVIOUS TIMES. WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEMI TRUCK WHICH WOULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND CHILD. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR SAME FAILURE. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS COULD FIX THE ISSUE BUT ALL AGREE IT IS ELECTRONIC OR ELECTRICAL. CAR EMITS STRANGE SMELL AFTER LOSING POWER. CALLED GM HELP/CARE LINE AND FILED A CLAIM. CASE# [XXX]. SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR [XXX] 1-800-790-5600 EXTENSION [XXX]. GM IS NOT WILLING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OR INVESTIGATE CLAIM. OFFERED TO PAY FOR 1 HOUR OF SERVICE TIME TO TRY TO IDENTIFY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT LET WIFE OR CHILD RIDE IN. AFRAID THIS WILL BECOME ANOTHER FORD/FIRESTONE ISSUE AND KILL INNOCENT CONSUMERS. ALMOST KILLED ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712837

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE, NOT THE KEY FOB OR KEY RING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE, NOT THE KEY FOB OR KEY RING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10691138

28,400 miles · Dec 7, 2014
Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CADILLAC SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES AND BRINGS A LOT OF CONCERNS TO ME, ESPECIALLY IN TRANSPORTING FAMILY MEMBERS. FIRST THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WILL SPUTTER AND START SPORADICALLY FLASHING ON AN OFF, SECOND THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEELS WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, THIRD THE WINDOWS WILL NOT C…

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THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CADILLAC SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES AND BRINGS A LOT OF CONCERNS TO ME, ESPECIALLY IN TRANSPORTING FAMILY MEMBERS. FIRST THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WILL SPUTTER AND START SPORADICALLY FLASHING ON AN OFF, SECOND THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEELS WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, THIRD THE WINDOWS WILL NOT CLOSE OR WHEN OPENED THEY WILL CLOSE AND THEN REOPEN AUTOMATICALLY MULTIPLE TIMES, FOURTH THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITRACK SEEMS TO HAVE LEVELS OF ERROR WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN MORE OF. THE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BADGING OUT AT WORK WOULD NOT CLOSE, IT WAS RAINING AND I BADGED OUT THEN WHEN CLOSING IT JUST REOPENED, THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES BEFORE I STOPPED THE CAR AS WATER WAS COMING IN, I KEPT TRYING TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS AND ANOTHER CAR HIT THE BRAKES BEHIND ME CAUSING THE LADY TO HAVE SOME BACK PAIN (THIS RANDOMLY CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM). ALSO THE TCS/ABS STABILITRACK SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING, WHEN I TURN MORE THEN 20 DEGREES IT WILL KICK ON AND START TO APPLY BRAKE BY ITSELF AND THE CAR STARTS JERKING WHICH BRINGS CONCERNS. I CALLED GM AND THEY SEEMED TO DISREGARD MY CLAIMS HOWEVER I BELIEVE ALL THESE "DEFECTS" AND "BUGS" ARE RELATED AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO PREVENT A MORE DIRE ISSUES IN THE RESULT OF ACCIDENT OF IMPACT. IT BRINGS A LOT OF CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662668

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2014
Electrical System

2012 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIR REMEDY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED GM'S REMEDY TO THE IGNITION RECALL PROBLEM WAS TO ENCLOSE TWO SMALL KEY RINGS, TO PUT ON THE IGNITION KEY AND THE KEY FOB AND REMOVE THE OTHER ITEMS FROM THE KEY RINGS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE AND TEMPORARY SOLU…

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2012 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIR REMEDY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED GM'S REMEDY TO THE IGNITION RECALL PROBLEM WAS TO ENCLOSE TWO SMALL KEY RINGS, TO PUT ON THE IGNITION KEY AND THE KEY FOB AND REMOVE THE OTHER ITEMS FROM THE KEY RINGS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE AND TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10644067

12,457 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Electrical System

IN STARTING UP FROM A STOP LIGHT AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY KNEE EVIDENTLY HIT THE DANGLING KEY FOB AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638666

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE MAIL IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHETHER SHE WAS TO INSTALL THE PARTS HERSELF OR TAKE THEM TO A DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE REMEDY W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE MAIL IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHETHER SHE WAS TO INSTALL THE PARTS HERSELF OR TAKE THEM TO A DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE REMEDY WAS TOO SIMPLE FOR SUCH A SERIOUS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10637529

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2014
Electrical System

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPAIR KIT SENT TO ME BY GM TO CORRECT A SAFETY "DEFECT" IN MY CAR. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM (LABELED GM SAFETY RECALL 1497) I RECEIVED IS THE BEST AND SAFEST SOLUTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. I RECEIVED BY REGULAR US MAIL A REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTION LETTER TO REPA…

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I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPAIR KIT SENT TO ME BY GM TO CORRECT A SAFETY "DEFECT" IN MY CAR. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM (LABELED GM SAFETY RECALL 1497) I RECEIVED IS THE BEST AND SAFEST SOLUTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. I RECEIVED BY REGULAR US MAIL A REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTION LETTER TO REPAIR THE IGNITION "RUN" PROBLEM. THE KIT INCLUDED 4, APPROXIMATELY DIME SIZE THIN METAL KEY RINGS. TWO OF THE RINGS WERE SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT INSIDE THE LARGER RINGS. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE RINGS THAT I RECEIVED WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR FROM THE CADILLAC DEALER WITH THE NEW SMALLER RINGS. THE BULKY HEADS OF THE IGNITION KEY AND RKE TRANSMITTER MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT ON THE RINGS. THE RINGS BECAME STRETCHED WHEN PUTTING ON THE RINGS AND NOW I AM CONCERNED ABOUT LOOSING EITHER THE KEY OR TRANSMITTER. THESE RINGS COULD ALSO HAVE DAMAGE THE THE PERSON OR THE TRANSMITTER WHEN TRYING TO GET THE SMALL RINGS TO FIT THE HEAD OF THE TRANSMITTER. I WANT TO KNOW IF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) APPROVED THIS FIX AND IS IT ENOUGH TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL? THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR THE RECALL IS 14V394. PLEASE ADVISE IN WRITING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633487

19,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVEN TI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVEN TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568709

80 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DOOR WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY PLACE HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE REMAINING. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HIS HAND BETWEEN THE PASSENGER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DOOR WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY PLACE HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE REMAINING. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HIS HAND BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE DASHBOARD, THERE WAS NO SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND WOULD MAKE NO RESTITUTION. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468961

Official recalls

2

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

11V536000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Nov 2, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT MAY NOT BE TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS NOT TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: CADILLAC DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT, AND IF NECESSARY, TORQUE THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.