2012 Cadillac CTS problems and recalls

Owners have filed 67 complaints on the 2012 Cadillac CTS, and NHTSA has issued 2 recalls. The most cited component is the Exterior Lighting (10 complaints).

67
Complaints
2
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
8
Injuries
89.2
Severity index

Severity index 89.2 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 89.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 26 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 80% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 10 complaints (14.9%)10 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 10 complaints (14.9%)10 15%Service BrakesService Brakes: 9 complaints (13.4%)9 13%SuspensionSuspension: 7 complaints (10.4%)7 10%Air BagsAir Bags: 6 complaints (9.0%)6 9%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 6 complaints (9.0%)6 9%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 6 complaints (9.0%)6 9%EngineEngine: 6 complaints (9.0%)6 9%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1014.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1014.9%
SERVICE BRAKES913.4%
SUSPENSION710.4%
AIR BAGS69.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL69.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER69.0%
ENGINE69.0%

Complaints filed per year

06132012: 32013: 22014: 132015: 82016: 32017: 82018: 52019: 92020: 52021: 22022: 42023: 22024: 12025: 12026: 1 (partial year)12131413151617181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20123
20132
201413
20158
20163
20178
20185
20199
20205
20212
20224
20232
20241
20251
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (4 against 11).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
14V39400002/07/2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONThis 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 (G
11V53600002/11/2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMGM 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

Other Cadillac CTS model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 6 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.