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Model year record

2012 Cadillac CTS recalls & problems

The 2012 Cadillac CTS has 2 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints65filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2012 Cadillac CTS in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 2, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V394000554,328 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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, hydraulicNov 2, 2011

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 11V536000674 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2012 Cadillac CTS SW AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.3%

2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.3%

2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2012 Cadillac CTS SW RWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.3%

2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.3%
2012 Cadillac CTS NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2012 Cadillac CTS NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

CTS

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS Wagon

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS Wagon AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS Wagon

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS Wagon AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

CTS

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

CTS

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

CTS Wagon

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

CTS

14mpg combined
City / highway12 / 18 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel1000023,700 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights1000028,500 mi
Service brakes730420,000 mi
Suspension720270,000 mi
Engine600046,918 mi
Vehicle speed control610256,500 mi
Air bagsSide/window620333,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door510011,000 mi
Unknown or other500055,000 mi
Steering410027,000 mi
Power trainDriveline › Driveshaft400065,309 mi
Traction control system2000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.