Representative model. Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Cadillac CTS recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 67
Latest campaign: Jul 2, 2014

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	Jul 2, 2014	14V394000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Nov 2, 2011	11V536000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 2, 2014Latest campaign


Jul 2, 201414V394000	Electrical system: ignition 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V394000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Nov 2, 201111V536000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V536000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 11V536000 · Nov 2, 2011

Jul 2, 201414V394000

Electrical system: ignition

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 14V394000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014

Nov 2, 201111V536000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 11V536000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
Campaign: NHTSA 11V536000 · Nov 2, 2011

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Cadillac CTS? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component67

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

67Complaints filed

6Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

8Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Exterior lighting	10	15	0	0
Electrical system	10	15	0	0
Service brakes	9	13	3	4
Suspension	7	10	2	2
Air bags	6	9	2	3
Vehicle speed control	6	9	1	2
Unknown or other	6	9	0	0
Engine	6	9	0	0
Structure	5	7	1	0
Steering	4	6	1	0
Power train	4	6	0	0
Traction control system	2	3	0	0
Wheels	2	3	0	0
Visibility	2	3	0	0
Hydraulic	1	1	0	0

5 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Suspension
“Front subframe crack around lower control arm bushing area. Common problem that’s going to end up killing someone when it completely separates”
Filed 01/14/2026 · ODI 11710859
Air bags
“"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.”
Filed 01/11/2025 · ODI 11635385
Steering
“A combination of the lower control arm alignment adjustment bolt, it is just a slot and standard bolt.”
Filed 09/18/2024 · ODI 11615171

Other Cadillac CTS model years

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2012 Cadillac CTS recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Cadillac CTS. The most recent, 14V394000 (reported July 2, 2014), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Exterior lighting is the most-reported component, named in 10 complaints out of 67 filed with NHTSA (15%). Across all complaints, owners reported 6 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Cadillac dealer.

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