VehicleVerdict

2021 Cadillac CT5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 — 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.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

28

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other CT5 years?

CT5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted55 complaints2020: 55 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 14 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 10 complaints2026: 8 complaints
CT5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CT5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Cadillac CT5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System725%
Body & Structure311%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Driver Assistance27%
Other27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Transmission27%
Airbags27%
Seat Belts14%
Steering14%
Engine14%
Fuel System14%
Lighting14%
Brakes14%

Does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 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.

“When approaching a stopping vehicle the brake pedal became extremely hard to press and I could not brake enough to stop and had a collision. Come to find out that the ABS computer and the main ECU weren't communicating correctly which turned off the assisted braking, assisted steering and the AWD. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2024 · crash

“Beginning of 2025 my drivers side door handle would not open from the outside of the car only the inside . I took it to a certified Cadillac dealer which they had to replace the door handle . Now July 10, 2025 my front passenger side is doing the same thing and I will not have to take my car in to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 10, 2025

“BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES SPLIT AT THE SEAM PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AT RISK. TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP - BOMMARITO CADILLAC ST. PETERS MISSOURI BOMMARITO CADIALLAC ST. PETERS MISSOURI ALSO INFORMED ME GM HAS INSTRUCTED TO NO LONGER SELL THESE TIRES TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 9, 2022

“When approaching a stopping vehicle the brake pedal became extremely hard to press and I could not brake enough to stop and had a collision. Come to find out that the ABS computer and the main ECU weren't communicating correctly which turned off the assisted braking, assisted steering and the AWD. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 28, 2024 · crash

“Service transmission message showed up on dash. Dealer stated after performance test found P17A5 code for shift control. The dealer stated that the gear shift assembly needed to be replaced and if not, that the car could get stuck in gear which I feel is a safety risk. My vehicle only has 37,111…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 8, 2025

2021 Cadillac CT5 — common questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac CT5 reliable?

The record is thin — 28 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 CT5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), airbags (2 complaints).

Does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Cadillac CT5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Cadillac CT5 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Cadillac CT5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CT5 years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among CT5 years belongs to 2024.

How safe is the 2021 Cadillac CT5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Cadillac CT5 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.