2012 Cadillac Cts Problems and Recalls (65 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2012 Cadillac Cts is Lights (15% of 65 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Lights — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 65 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2012 Cadillac Cts?

10 of 65 filings named Lights (15% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (9 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2011 has 99 reports on file; this year has 65. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2012 Cadillac Cts

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
Skim a few owner reports below for Lights. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Lights 10 complaints · 15.4% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 6
Fires 0
Injuries 8
Deaths 0

All Cadillac Cts years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	10	15.4%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	9	13.8%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)	7	10.8%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	6	9.2%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION)	5	7.7%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	4	6.2%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	4	6.2%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	3	4.6%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	3	4.6%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	16	24.6%	0 crashes · 0 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 14V394000 was reported 112 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2012-Q2	Owner reports	1
2012-Q3	Owner reports	1
2012-Q4	Owner reports	1
2013-Q1	Owner reports	1
2013-Q4	Owner reports	1
2014-Q1	Owner reports	1
2014-Q2	Owner reports	3
2014-Q3	Owner reports	6
2014-Q4	Owner reports	3
2015-Q1	Owner reports	3
2015-Q2	Owner reports	2
2015-Q3	Owner reports	1
2015-Q4	Owner reports	2
2016-Q2	Owner reports	3
2017-Q1	Owner reports	3
2017-Q2	Owner reports	2
2017-Q4	Owner reports	1
2018-Q1	Owner reports	1
2018-Q2	Owner reports	2
2018-Q3	Owner reports	1
2018-Q4	Owner reports	1
2019-Q1	Owner reports	1
2019-Q2	Owner reports	2
2019-Q3	Owner reports	5
2019-Q4	Owner reports	1
2020-Q1	Owner reports	3
2020-Q2	Owner reports	1
2020-Q3	Owner reports	1
2021-Q2	Owner reports	1
2021-Q4	Owner reports	1
2022-Q1	Owner reports	1
2022-Q2	Owner reports	2
2022-Q4	Owner reports	1
2023-Q2	Owner reports	2
2024-Q3	Owner reports	1
2025-Q1	Owner reports	1
2026-Q1	Owner reports	1
Nov 2011	Recall campaign	1	11V536000
Jul 2014	Recall campaign	1	14V394000

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes and Electrical.

Recall campaign 11V536000

Brakes

Report date

Nov 2, 2011

Component:

Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 14V394000

Electrical

Report date

Jul 2, 2014

Component:

Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 6 of 65 complaints · page 1 of 3

2026-01-14Suspension (SUSPENSION)

NHTSA ODI 11710859

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Front subframe crack around lower control arm bushing area. Common problem that’s going to end up killing someone when it completely separates

2025-01-11Airbags (AIR BAGS)

NHTSA ODI 11635385

CrashFireInjuryDeath

"service air bag" light is illuminated. Deal states the replacement part is out of production. Apparently, this is a relative common problem with this vehicle. The illumination of the warning light indicates the air bag system is not working.

2024-09-18Steering (STEERING)

NHTSA ODI 11615171

CrashFireInjuryDeath

A combination of the lower control arm alignment adjustment bolt, it is just a slot and standard bolt. The alignment becomes loose over time and begins to work side to side in the slot, so retightening the bolt is the only solution to keep it from moving. The main issue is the subframe being made from aluminum and the machined slots for the lower arms, the "ears" for the lower arms are not machined or reenforced correctly which lead to severe fatigue cracks in the machined radius of the subframe. These cracks will cause the lower control arm to break free of the mounts and causing the front suspension to shift to the left or right and causing a crash. All it will take to break them off is a large enough bump and this WILL kill or injure someone.

2023-06-03Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11525157

CrashFireInjuryDeath

There have been a collection of other Vin numbers for this year make and model for the symptoms I have been experiencing since taking ownership in 2019. The vehicle will stall while running and randomly disable ALL WHEEL drive, Traction Control, ABS, and send Check engine light on causing me amdy son on infinite number of times to almost be hit In the middle of amd intersection, after a stop sign at low speeds, upon turning the wheels into or put of driveway, parking spaces and worst off at 60 mph on a freeway. This has resulted in multiple near accidents as the vehicle randomly disables itself. It occurs mostly after pressing the brakes to shift gears and almost always causes the vehicle to become inoperable for over an hour where it sits as there is no option to disable AWD or choose from FWD OR RWD. It happens in manual mode (or called performance mode) as well as automatic mode and has been occurring for 5 and a half years. I have been charged an exorbitant amount for supposed repairs from.dealers and mechanics who have claimed to fix it and I have severe autoimmune disease, a foot prosthetic, AND a minor child I have to transport to and from.school in the car. My issue and warning lights and symptoms mirror the recall of the Vin numbers the manufacturer has performed the recall repair on exactly and yet I have been sent from dealers who refuse to check the part that's defective which is I believe the hydrolic brake rod to the brake petal. The bold needs to be simply retorqued to the proper torque to fix the problem as it was either assembled improperly torqued and or can loosen over time resulting in dangerous and immediate and unexpected complete loss of power to the vehicle allowing people to slam into you at any time. I have had it towed numerous times after these incidents. All features, climate control, locks, entertainment, windows and everything functions when this happens. I have replaced batteries, brakes, oil changes etc. Unresolved.

2023-05-11Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11521525

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the AWD inadvertently deactivated, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The service brake assist, check engine, traction control, ABS, and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics; however, no failure was found. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V536000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2022-11-02Suspension (SUSPENSION)

NHTSA ODI 11491862

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The Sub frame has a crack where it connects with the control arm I posted a picture in the forum group for Cadillac owners of the same vehicle and over 20 owners I’ve counted have the same crack in the same location it has unfortunately failed for some members already. I fear that this was an engineering flaw that needs to be taken care of or examined before some one can get seriously hurt or lose there life by having the sub frame fail causing the control arm of the front wheel to fall off I have multiple pictures of separate vehicles that have the same crack and even one that fully broke apart at the same location. Please take a look at this as this I fear could break at any time and I fear many Cadillacs are driving around with this same engineering flaw

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Cadillac Cts?

Owners named Lights most often — 10 of 65 reports (15%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Cadillac Cts?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2012 Cadillac Cts?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources