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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

65 reports
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2021
Exterior Lighting

I WAS SENT A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL AND I SENT IT BACK SAYING I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY UP FRONT. THE SENT ANOTHER LETTER ABOUT THE DEADLINE AND I SENT BACK I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY UP FRONT. I NEVER GOT A RESPONSE BACK. MY LIGHTS ARE GETTING DIMMER AND CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE AND SH…

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I WAS SENT A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL AND I SENT IT BACK SAYING I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY UP FRONT. THE SENT ANOTHER LETTER ABOUT THE DEADLINE AND I SENT BACK I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY UP FRONT. I NEVER GOT A RESPONSE BACK. MY LIGHTS ARE GETTING DIMMER AND CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND HAVE A FEW PAYMENTS LEFT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S INCONVENIENT. THIS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #11415097

75,000 miles · Sep 30, 2020
EngineSteering

MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR VIBRATION AT ALDERMAN CADILLAC IN MERIDEN I TOOK IT IN AND COME TO FIND OUT, IT WAS THE POWER STEERING AND A MOTOR MOUNT. THE DEALER ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO TAKE THE CAR AFTER IT WAS FIXED ALTHOUGH HE TOLD ME THAT IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE TO DRIVE. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE 3 DAYS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS STIL…

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MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR VIBRATION AT ALDERMAN CADILLAC IN MERIDEN I TOOK IT IN AND COME TO FIND OUT, IT WAS THE POWER STEERING AND A MOTOR MOUNT. THE DEALER ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO TAKE THE CAR AFTER IT WAS FIXED ALTHOUGH HE TOLD ME THAT IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE TO DRIVE. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE 3 DAYS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO LOOSE AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WITHING 20 HOURS TO TELL THEM THAT IT WAS NOT FIXED AND THAT THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DRIVES TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO MUCH WORK. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHICH I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT 5 TIMES. THAT DID NOT MATTER TO THEM AT ALL. THE DEALER ARGUED ME DOWN AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WILL NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE IN THE POSITION IT WAS IN. I WILL CONTINUE TO GO AS FAR AS I NEED TO DO GET THIS UNSAFE SITUATION HANDLED. I DO NOT APPRECIATE THIS. I TRUSTED IN CADILLAC AND I WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11361939

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2020
Exterior Lighting

THE HEAD LAMP HAS CONDENSATION AND WATER BUILT UP IN IT CAUSING THE BULB TO SHORT OUT. THE CLEAR COVER HAS BECOME STAINED YELLOW RUST COLOR FROM THE WATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324556

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE AT A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE IDLED DOWN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WENT OFF, THEN THE VEHICLE POWER IS REDUCED

NHTSA ODI #11301471

80,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other

LIFTGATE ON 2012 CADILLAC CTS SPORTWAGON FALLS WITHOUT WARNING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS OUT OF THE REAR CARGO AREA WHEN SUDDENLY THE HATCH CAME DOWN ON TOP OF HER FORCING HER DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS ON LEVEL GROUND AND STATIONARY. SHE ESCAPED BY QUICKLY SLIDING OUT FROM UND…

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LIFTGATE ON 2012 CADILLAC CTS SPORTWAGON FALLS WITHOUT WARNING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS OUT OF THE REAR CARGO AREA WHEN SUDDENLY THE HATCH CAME DOWN ON TOP OF HER FORCING HER DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS ON LEVEL GROUND AND STATIONARY. SHE ESCAPED BY QUICKLY SLIDING OUT FROM UNDER IT BEFORE IT CLOSED AND WAS NOT INJURED. THE LIFT GATE HAD NEVER FAILED LIKE THIS BEFORE.. IT NOW DOES THIS ROUTINELY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD EASILY INJURE OR KILL A SMALL CHILD OR PET. RECALL#15V415000 OPENED ON 6/30/2015 COVERING SEVERAL GM VEHICLES BUT NO CADILLACS. THE MECHANISM IS THE SAME OR VERY SIMILAR TO ALL THESE OTHER CARS. WHY AREN'T THE CTS WAGONS PART OF THE 15V415000 RECALL? THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11301410

65,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
Engine

THE CAR BEGAN CUTTING OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN STOPPING. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY. THE CAR BARELY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS PRIMARILY BEEN DRIVEN TO WORK ONLY, AVERAGING 20 MILES A DAY! WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE TIMING CHAIN ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR. IT HAS ON OLDER MODELS SO…

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THE CAR BEGAN CUTTING OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN STOPPING. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY. THE CAR BARELY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS PRIMARILY BEEN DRIVEN TO WORK ONLY, AVERAGING 20 MILES A DAY! WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE TIMING CHAIN ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR. IT HAS ON OLDER MODELS SO I WANTED TO REPORT TO HAVE THE NEWER MODELS FURTHER RESEARCHED AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS INTERSECTIONS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR AN UNPREDICTABLE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11301395

90,000 miles · Nov 30, 2019
Wheels

ON 3/23/2019 BOUGHT BRIDGESTONE TIRE PACKAGE FOR 2012 CADILLAC CTS PERFORMANCE. MY VEHICLE REQUIRES 2 SIZES OF TIRES, 265/45/18 & 235/50/18. THE TIRES ARE ALMOST BALD ARE 265/45/18 POTENZA. ON 11/29/2019 TIRE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE TO RIGHT REAR TIRE. SINCE WEATHER IS COLD, I EXPECT THE TIRE LIGHT TO COME …

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ON 3/23/2019 BOUGHT BRIDGESTONE TIRE PACKAGE FOR 2012 CADILLAC CTS PERFORMANCE. MY VEHICLE REQUIRES 2 SIZES OF TIRES, 265/45/18 & 235/50/18. THE TIRES ARE ALMOST BALD ARE 265/45/18 POTENZA. ON 11/29/2019 TIRE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE TO RIGHT REAR TIRE. SINCE WEATHER IS COLD, I EXPECT THE TIRE LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF WHEN AIR HAS BEEN PUT IN. I WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO PUT AIR, AND THE TECH INDICATED THE BACK 2 TIRES HAS A THREAD DEPTH OF 2 AND UNSAFE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE WHO I GOT THE TIRES FROM AND INSTALLATION. THEY PUT THE TIRE UP ON A SCOPE AND BOTH 2 TIRES IN BACK WERE ALMOST BALD IN THE MIDDLE. THE THREAD ON THE OUTER TIRES SEEMED FINE, BUT THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE TIRE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD. THE TIRE TECHNICIAN TOOK MY CAR FOR TEST DRIVE TO SEE IF THERE WERE BALL JOINTS, SUSPENSION OR OTHER ISSUES THAT MAY BE CAUSING THE WEAR ON THE TIRE AND THE TECH FOUND NONE. I GO FAITHFULLY EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT THE DEALERSHIP SO IF THERE ARE ISSUES, I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THEM AND CORRECT THEM IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND AND THE ONLY EXPLANATION THAT FIRESTONE CAN GIVE ME IS THAT THESE TIRES ARE NOT MADE FOR YOUR CAR SINCE IT WAS A PERFORMANCE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11282966

30,000 miles · Sep 11, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF NAPERVILLE (630-219-0417, LOCATED AT 1507 W OGDEN AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF NAPERVILLE (630-219-0417, LOCATED AT 1507 W OGDEN AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11254777

160,000 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN USING FULL THROTTLE, (FLOORED ACCELERATOR) THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK IN WOT POSITION. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, FIRST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 3/2015.

NHTSA ODI #11242117

68,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED VERY RECENTLY (SPRING/SUMMER) FOLLOWING A COLD AND HARSH WINTER. WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED WITH THE SRX MODELS EXTENDS TO THE CTS AND PERHAPS OTHER CADILLAC MODELS GIVEN THE NUMBER ON THE STREET WITH A SINGLE HEADLIGHT; HOWEVER, CADILLAC HAS DENIED OUR CLAIM. …

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BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED VERY RECENTLY (SPRING/SUMMER) FOLLOWING A COLD AND HARSH WINTER. WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED WITH THE SRX MODELS EXTENDS TO THE CTS AND PERHAPS OTHER CADILLAC MODELS GIVEN THE NUMBER ON THE STREET WITH A SINGLE HEADLIGHT; HOWEVER, CADILLAC HAS DENIED OUR CLAIM. THE COST OF REPAIR OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS EXCEEDED $600.

NHTSA ODI #11230716

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.