The 2012 Cadillac Cts has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 555,002 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC11V5360002011-11-02674 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…
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
9
SERVICE BRAKES
7
3crashes4injuries
SUSPENSION
7
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
1crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS
5
2crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
STEERING
4
1crashes
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
1crashes
Total complaints81
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“The contact owns a 2012 cadillac cts. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the front passenger's side air bag had failed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…”
“Recaro seat sensor failure, causing passenger air bag system inoperable for the passenger side, it appears this a very common problem, the dealer states that they have replaced a lot of these in the past, but gm no longer has any available, cannot find one anywhere in the country (usa), the safety…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Cadillac Cts as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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