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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
27,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrash

AS I APPROACHED A STREET FROM A STORE PARKING LOT, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. AS I SAW I WAS NOT GOING TO STOP, I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT TO TRY TO AVOID CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY AND SAW THE FACE OF THE DRIVER OF THE CAR THAT HIT ME. T…

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AS I APPROACHED A STREET FROM A STORE PARKING LOT, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. AS I SAW I WAS NOT GOING TO STOP, I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT TO TRY TO AVOID CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY AND SAW THE FACE OF THE DRIVER OF THE CAR THAT HIT ME. THAT CAR HIT MY CAR TWICE. ONCE IN THE FRONT LEFT CORNER AND THEN IN LEFT REAR CORNER, AS MY CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT FROM THE FIRST IMPACT. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF MY CAR HAD TURNED OFF. I SAID I DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS SO QUIET. A RESPONDING SHERIFF'S DEPUTY TOLD MY HUSBAND THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME SAID HE SAW ME LOOKING AT HIM AND WAS SURE I WAS GOING TO STOP. LATER ANALYSIS BY A CADILLAC TECHNICIAN REVEALED ERROR CODES FROM THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAN AFFECT BRAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639093

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

13,300 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REMOVING AND REPLACING THE BRAKE LINE HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,300.

NHTSA ODI #10638166

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

17,200 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Engine

THE CAR IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES AUTOMATIC CUT OFF BY ITSELF. I HAVE NOTIFIED THIS CADILLAC DEALER ABOUT THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP, I DON'T THINK THEY BELIEVED ME BECAUSE I WAS UPSET ABOUT A CAR THAT THE ENTIRE CAR HAD BEN PAINTED INSIDE AND OUT, MOTOR AND ALL, BUT …

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THE CAR IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES AUTOMATIC CUT OFF BY ITSELF. I HAVE NOTIFIED THIS CADILLAC DEALER ABOUT THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP, I DON'T THINK THEY BELIEVED ME BECAUSE I WAS UPSET ABOUT A CAR THAT THE ENTIRE CAR HAD BEN PAINTED INSIDE AND OUT, MOTOR AND ALL, BUT I QUESTS WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS , THEN THEY WILL BELIEVE ME. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617421

12,500 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC. DRIVER HAD TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET FROM VEHICLE DIRECTLY AHEAD. VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A LARGE SUV CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH VEHICLE DIRECTLY AHEAD. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE REAR RAILS WERE DEFO…

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VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC. DRIVER HAD TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET FROM VEHICLE DIRECTLY AHEAD. VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A LARGE SUV CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH VEHICLE DIRECTLY AHEAD. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE REAR RAILS WERE DEFORMED BY FORCE OF IMPACT. DRIVER OF VEHICLE WAS THROWN FORWARD, AND THEN BACKWARD, WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO EXPERIENCE INJURY TO NECK AND SHOULDERS. DRIVER SEAT BELT LOCKED TO REDUCE BODY MOVEMENT RESULTING IN BRUISES TO LEFT ARM AND CHEST. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH VEHICLE AHEAD. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL. INJURY CONSISTED OF SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE AND TRAUMA TO NECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595956

20,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Seat BeltsVehicle Speed Control

[XXX] 12 DEC 2013ACTDA NAME :[XXX] SEX :F RACE :B COURT :19TH JDC WARRANT TYPE :TRAFFIC, OUTSTANDING CHARGES: 32:61 USDOT: 2355249 TT&T SERVICES LLC - TRUCKING COMPANIES MAR 8, 2014 - 14023 STONE GATE DR BATON ROUGE, LA 70816 UNSAFE TRUCK DRIVING BASIC SERIOUS VIOLATION INDICATOR (Y = SERIOUS VIOLATION) TT&T SERVICE…

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[XXX] 12 DEC 2013ACTDA NAME :[XXX] SEX :F RACE :B COURT :19TH JDC WARRANT TYPE :TRAFFIC, OUTSTANDING CHARGES: 32:61 USDOT: 2355249 TT&T SERVICES LLC - TRUCKING COMPANIES MAR 8, 2014 - 14023 STONE GATE DR BATON ROUGE, LA 70816 UNSAFE TRUCK DRIVING BASIC SERIOUS VIOLATION INDICATOR (Y = SERIOUS VIOLATION) TT&T SERVICES LLC - TRUCKING COMPANIES [XXX] UNSAFE TRUCK DRIVING BASIC SERIOUS VIOLATION INDICATOR (Y = SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM INVESTIGATION WITHIN) TT&T SERVICES LLC - TRUCKING COMPANY TT&T SERVICES LLC [XXX] MOTOR CARRIER (MC) NUMBER: [XXX] USDOT: [XXX] MCS-150 DATE: 5-NOV-2012 MCS-150 MILEAGE: 20,000 MCS-150 MILEAGE YEAR: 2012 TOTAL TRUCKS: 1 POWER UNITS: 1 TOTAL DRIVERS: 1 TT&T SERVICES LLC IS CARRIER TT&T SERVICES LLC PHONE: DOES TT&T SERVICES LLC TRANSPORT HAZARDOUS MATERIAL? NO CARRIER OPERATION: N/A TT&T SERVICES LLC IN TRANSPORT BUSINESS SINCE 5-NOV-2012 CARGO HAULED (MARKED X - GREEN COLOR) BY TT&T SERVICES LLC - LOUISIANA TRUCKING COMPANY FRESH PRODUCEX GENERAL FREIGHT HOUSEHOLD METAL SHEET MOTOR VEHICLES TOWAWAY LUMBER BUILDING MATERIALS MOBILE HOMES MACHINERY LIQUIDS GASES INTERMODAL PASSENGERS OILFIELD EQUIPMENT LIVESTOCK GRAIN FEED HAY COAL MEAT GARBAGE USMAIL X CHEMICALS DRYBULK REFRIGERATED FOOD BEVERAGES PAPER PRODUCTS UTILITIES AGRICULTURAL FARM SUPPLIES CONSTRUCTION ELECTRONICS COSMETICS GARMENTS TEXTILE GLASS, PORCELAIN, CERAMIC, STONEWARE TANYA RIVER IN BATON ROUGE LA SINGLE LOCATION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA ORGANIZATION: [XXX] UNITED STATES COUNTY EAST BATON ROUGE COMPANY PROFILE THIS LISTING IS FOR[XXX] SINGLE LOCATION IN BATON ROUGE, LA. [XXX]: WAS FOUNDED IN 2012 AND IS PRIVATELY HELD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587539

28,837 miles · May 8, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,837 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,200. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM UNIT. HOWEVER, ON MAY 7, 2014, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. WHEN HE TRIED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/16/14

NHTSA ODI #10587239

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

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.