2012 CADILLAC CTS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
81
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
24
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
The 2012 CADILLAC CTS has received a total of 81 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. 24 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (9 complaints), Exterior Lighting (9 complaints), and Service Brakes (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS, potentially affecting up to 555,002 vehicles.
Recall 14V394000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 554,328 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 11V536000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 674 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
81 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Front subframe crack around lower control arm bushing area. Common problem that’s going to end up killing someone when it completely separates
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
The 2012 CADILLAC CTS received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
General Motors, LLC has issued 24 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PI0748A — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Some customers may comment on a water leak or wind noise coming from the passenger door window. The cause of this condition is an inner door belt reinforcement that was positioned too far outboard prior to it being welded into the door frame. This condition is specific to the passenger...
PI0748A — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Some customers may comment on a water leak or wind noise coming from the passenger door window. The cause of this condition is an inner door belt reinforcement that was positioned too far outboard prior to it being welded into the door frame. This condition is specific to the passenger...
17NA066 — POWER TRAIN
This warranty administration bulletin provide policy information for automatic transmission Oil Cooler Flush and flow test.
PIC5481A — STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer technicians that if a key fob for CTS sedan or Coupe is learned to the vehicle the rear gate will be inoperative from the key fob. The correct key fob for Wagon models will have a picture of a wagon with the liftgate...
08-08-49-006D — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to align the inner ashtray/bin pivot pins to correct a customer concern that the front floor console rear ashtray/bin door may not close caused by to the rear ashtray/bin door becoming disengaged from the rear floor console housing tracks.
PIC5494F — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is...
15-NA-048 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of a clunk noise originating from the underside of the vehicle upon acceleration.
G-204647 — ENGINE
14264 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L (LFW), 3.6L (LFX), OR 6.2L (LSA) ENGINES AND SOME 2012 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET CAMARO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L (LFX), OR 6.2L (LS3, L99, LSA) ENGINES MAY HAVE AN EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER VENT SOLENOID VALVE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CLOSE. IF THIS...
14264 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Special Coverage Adjustment ? Evaporative Emission Canister Vent Solenoid valve
07-06-04-025J — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
This informational bulletin was created to inform the technician of cold start ticking noises in the engine compartment may be caused by the fuel pump and/or the fuel injectors and no
Showing 10 of 24 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 CADILLAC CTS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC CTS
- 2007 CADILLAC CTS — 311 complaints
- 2008 CADILLAC CTS — 251 complaints
- 2009 CADILLAC CTS — 222 complaints
- 2010 CADILLAC CTS — 101 complaints
- 2011 CADILLAC CTS — 148 complaints
- 2012 CADILLAC CTS (current)
- 2013 CADILLAC CTS — 106 complaints
- 2014 CADILLAC CTS — 192 complaints
- 2015 CADILLAC CTS — 65 complaints
- 2016 CADILLAC CTS — 47 complaints
- 2017 CADILLAC CTS — 32 complaints
Other CADILLAC Models
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- CADILLAC ESCALADE — 2,120 total complaints
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- CADILLAC CATERA — 826 total complaints
- CADILLAC DTS — 725 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV — 633 total complaints
- CADILLAC STS — 609 total complaints