VehicleVerdict

2021 Cadillac CT4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2021 Cadillac CT4 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other CT4 years?

CT4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted15 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 3 complaints
CT4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CT4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Cadillac CT4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine325%
Fuel System217%
Speed Control18%
Steering18%
Suspension18%
Tires & Wheels18%
Driver Assistance18%
Transmission18%
Electrical System18%

Does the 2021 Cadillac CT4 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V148000TransmissionMarch 6, 2025 · 90,081 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.

Consequence

Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.

22V903000LightingDecember 8, 2022 · 740,108 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

21V611000AirbagsAugust 5, 2021 · 34,157 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.

21V421000AirbagsJune 10, 2021 · 285,622 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Consequence

The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“valve body failed and was supposedly repaired. I had the car 1 day and valve body failed again. My car has been in the shop since November 4, 2024 with no estimated time of repair because no parts are available. I was told they would replace the transmission. That has not happened yet. No parts…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 4, 2024

“Check engine light for P1467 on a 2021 CT4 V. This is for a "purge pump underspeed" issue. The issue is known on CT4 Cadillacs and has an active recall out: N242441120 Evaporative Emissions Purge Pump. This recall is only for the 2.0, LSY engines, but the much more uncommon 2.7, L3B engine in my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2026

“While driving the power steering was lost. The the auto hold function lit up. The collision warning light lit up. The stabilitrak system lit up. The air bag safety system lit up. Steering became very hard and made for y safe driving. Later that day 01-22-24, all warning light went out and power…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 22, 2024

“There is a known issue with hesitation and hard shifting on my vehicle. According to the gm bulletin that was released I believe in may of 25 my year, make and model has a known issue where the transmission control valve may stick or wear causing jerking and shifting issues and could cause a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 31, 2025

“While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 17, 2026

2021 Cadillac CT4 — common questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac CT4 reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 CT4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (3 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), suspension (1 complaints).

Does the 2021 Cadillac CT4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Cadillac CT4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Cadillac CT4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.