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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Electrical system: ignition
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Electrical
2014-07-02 · campaign 2014-273
On certain vehicles, there is a risk that some drivers may bump the ignition key with their knee and unintentionally move the key from out of the "run" position. If this were to occur, engine power, power braking and power steering would be affected, which would unexpectedly increase steering and brake pedal effort, potentially increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. The timing of the key movement out of the "run" position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers are to remove the key blade from the original flip key/transmitter assemblies provided with the vehicle, and provide two new keys and two key rings for every original key. Important note: Until the correction is performed, drivers should adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Brakes
2011-11-03 · campaign 2011-385 · 21 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the brake booster pushrod retention nut may not have received adequate tightening torque during vehicle assembly. As such, the nut could loosen, allowing the pushrod to separate from the brake pedal assembly. This could result in a loss of brake function, which could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the pushrod retention nut and, if necessary, torque the nut to specification.
Owner complaints (65)
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Cadillac CTS (6 crashes, 8 injuries reported). Among 17 model years of this model, it ranks #12 for the most complaints (median 101).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | |
| Service brakes | 7 | |
| Suspension | 7 | |
| Engine | 6 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | |
| Air bags | 6 | |
| Structure | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Cadillac CTS.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Cadillac CTS SW RWD | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | – | – | – | – |
| 2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Cadillac CTS SW AWD | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Cadillac CTS version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| CTS 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS 3.6 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS 3.6 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 26 | 19 | $3,550 |
| CTS 6.2 L Automatic (S6) | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,850 |
| CTS 6.2 L Manual 6-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,150 |
| CTS AWD 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS AWD 3.6 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon 3.6 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon 6.2 L Automatic (S6) | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,850 |
| CTS Wagon 6.2 L Manual 6-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,150 |
| CTS Wagon AWD 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.