VehicleVerdict

2012 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Cadillac CTS sits mid-pack among CTS years: 81 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 147, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (13), lighting (10), and brakes (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

81

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other CTS years?

CTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted450 complaints2003: 450 complaints2004: 294 complaints2005: 396 complaints2006: 371 complaints2007: 314 complaints2008: 252 complaints2009: 222 complaints2010: 101 complaints2011: 148 complaints2012: 81 complaints2013: 106 complaints2014: 196 complaints2015: 65 complaints2016: 47 complaints2017: 32 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 16 complaints
CTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1316%
Lighting1012%
Brakes911%
Suspension79%
Airbags67%
Engine67%
Speed Control67%
Body & Structure56%
Other56%
Transmission45%
Steering45%
Tires & Wheels22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Fuel System11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%

Does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

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

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

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 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.

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.

11V536000BrakesNovember 2, 2011 · 674 units

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 PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2012 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIR REMEDY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED GM'S REMEDY TO THE IGNITION RECALL PROBLEM WAS TO ENCLOSE TWO SMALL KEY RINGS, TO PUT ON THE IGNITION KEY AND THE KEY FOB AND REMOVE THE OTHER ITEMS FROM THE KEY RINGS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2014

“I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 CADILLAC CTS IN JANUARY, 2012. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW AND HAS ONLY 27,000 MILES. BOTH HEADLAMPS RECENTLY BEGAN ACCUMULATING HEAVY CONDENSATION CAUSING VERY DIM LIGHTING AT NIGHT. THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT CAUSED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 27, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD, CHEST AND FOOT INJURY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 21, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED COMPLETELY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION SUPPORT DETACHED ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 20, 2016 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, AT APPROX 40MPH IN THE EVENING. WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR GOING SLOW IN A 50MPH+ ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE CADILLAC. THIS FORCED A DEFENSIVE DECISION TO UNFORTUNATELY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT VERSUS UNKNOWN CLEARING. AFTER (NOW AT 60MPH), THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 18, 2017 · crash

2012 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2012 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 81 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CTS year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2012 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), lighting (10 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

How safe is the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Cadillac CTS 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.