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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
58,000 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 90 MPH AFTER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFT TO MANUAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL MOORE CADILLAC LOCATED AT 9177 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294 WHERE THE DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 90 MPH AFTER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFT TO MANUAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL MOORE CADILLAC LOCATED AT 9177 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294 WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #11032834

55,000 miles · May 25, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, AT APPROX 40MPH IN THE EVENING. WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR GOING SLOW IN A 50MPH+ ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE CADILLAC. THIS FORCED A DEFENSIVE DECISION TO UNFORTUNATELY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT VERSUS UNKNOWN CLEARING. AFTER (NOW AT 60MPH), THE ACCELERATOR STAYED STUCK, WHIC…

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THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, AT APPROX 40MPH IN THE EVENING. WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR GOING SLOW IN A 50MPH+ ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE CADILLAC. THIS FORCED A DEFENSIVE DECISION TO UNFORTUNATELY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT VERSUS UNKNOWN CLEARING. AFTER (NOW AT 60MPH), THE ACCELERATOR STAYED STUCK, WHICH REQUIRED THE CAR TO THEN STRIKE A POLE AT 100MPH! THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO AND ONLY BY GRACE WERE ALL PARTIES SAFE IN THE PRIMARY CAR (CADILLAC REFERENCED), AND THE CAR STRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND EVEN THE BLACK BOX WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AFTER SITTING FOR A 3 WEEK SPAN IN A TOW LOT.

NHTSA ODI #10991625

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

81,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Exterior Lighting

2012 CADILLAC CTS WAGON: REAR STOP, TURN SIGNAL, BACK-UP, BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING AWAY FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. THE TABS UNDER THE TOP HAVE BROKEN OFF AND LIGHTS DO NOT FIT THE BODY OF VEHICLE AS DESIGNED. THE LIGHTS WORK AS DESIGNED, PHOTOS ATTACHED OF COMPLAINT. IT APPEARS THAT THE PLASTIC THESE LIGHTS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM …

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2012 CADILLAC CTS WAGON: REAR STOP, TURN SIGNAL, BACK-UP, BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING AWAY FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. THE TABS UNDER THE TOP HAVE BROKEN OFF AND LIGHTS DO NOT FIT THE BODY OF VEHICLE AS DESIGNED. THE LIGHTS WORK AS DESIGNED, PHOTOS ATTACHED OF COMPLAINT. IT APPEARS THAT THE PLASTIC THESE LIGHTS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM IS DEFECTIVE AND LIGHTS COULD BE CHANGING SHAPE AND DISTORTING UNDER TEMPERATURE CHANGES, THE HOLDING TABS UNDER THE LIGHTS MUST WEAKEN AND EVENTUALLY BREAK OFF. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER THIS IS NORMAL? WOW! UPON SEARCH OF WWW AND CADILLAC FORUMS FOUND THAT THESE REAR LIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND I READ WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERS UNDER ORIGINAL BTB WARRANTY (IF THE OWNERS COMPLAINED HARD ENOUGH). I AM NOW THE THIRD OWNER AND WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. HERE IS THE KICK IN THE GROIN: GM/CADILLAC IN OCT 2012 REMANUFACTURED THESE LIGHTS FROM A HIGHER QUALITY PLASTIC TO RESOLVE THE BAD MANUFACTURING-POOR QUALITY PLASTIC USED PREVIOUSLY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH DRIVER, PASSENGER AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. A CAR WASH WILL EVENTUALLY DESTROY AND OR REMOVE THESE LIGHTS FOR ME. OR IF HAND WASHING VEHICLE I COULD CUT AN ARM OR FINGER. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT OF THESE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED/BUILT AND THEREFORE THE DEALERS AND GM/CADILLAC DON'T FEEL THE NEED FOR FURTHER ACTION OR ASSISTANCE TO CURRENT OWNERS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SAFETY ISSUES HERE? I COULD EPOXY/GLUE THESE LIGHTS TO STAY IN PLACE AND MAKE THE REMOVAL OF THEM IMPOSSIBLE FOR FUTURE SERVICE, POSSIBLY DOING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, OR I CAN PURCHASE NEW OEM REPLACEMENTS! AS LONG AS THE REPLACEMENT LIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED AFTER OCT 2012. THANK YOU FOR READING MY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10967316

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2017
Unknown Or Other

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT HEAT UP. DEALER SAYS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE

NHTSA ODI #10953837

30,300 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Service Brakes

HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE, METAL ON METAL. ASKED WHY NO WARNING BRAKES WERE GOING BAD AND WHY ALL FOUR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON SO CALLED HIGH END/TOP QUALITY VEHICLE LIKE A CADILLAC AT ONLY 30,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD "BECAUSE IT HA…

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HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE, METAL ON METAL. ASKED WHY NO WARNING BRAKES WERE GOING BAD AND WHY ALL FOUR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON SO CALLED HIGH END/TOP QUALITY VEHICLE LIKE A CADILLAC AT ONLY 30,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD "BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN ENOUGH AND BRAKES WORE FASTER DUE TO RUST". ALTHOUGH THE MECHANICS AGREED THIS WAS AN ILLOGICAL EXPLANATION AND SEEMS LIKE A PRODUCT DEFECT, I WAS STILL EXPECTED TO PAY $600-800 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS - WHICH I HAVE NOT YET DONE. I WAS NEVER PROVIDED AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING, EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS BEING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH, I DISCOVERED OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR ON CADILLAC VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10947692

60,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TOUCH PAD SEIZED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TOUCH PAD SEIZED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE BY PRESSING AN EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON, BUT IT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10873272

70,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860647

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2016
Service BrakesSuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED COMPLETELY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION SUPPORT DETACHED ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED COMPLETELY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION SUPPORT DETACHED ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LOWER BACK INJURY. THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT SUFFERED FROM A BUMP TO THE HEAD. THE INJURIES REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILALBE.

NHTSA ODI #10860646

55,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY CTS COUPE HAS AN ELECTRICAL "TOUCH PAD" THAT HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TWICE I HAVE HAD TO CRAWL INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS IN EXCESS OF 50,000 (MY VEHICLE IS AT 55…

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY CTS COUPE HAS AN ELECTRICAL "TOUCH PAD" THAT HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TWICE I HAVE HAD TO CRAWL INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS IN EXCESS OF 50,000 (MY VEHICLE IS AT 55,690). PAIN IN THE NECK.

NHTSA ODI #10809470

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.