Wrench.Pro

2012 Cadillac CTS: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / cadillac / cts
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-09)
complaints67 on file (2012-05-14 → 2026-01-14)
recalls2
investigations0
fars37 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Front subframe crack at lower control armSUSPENSION5 complaints2016-04 → 2026-01cadillac-cts-2012-subframe-crack
  • 11710859 Front subframe crack around lower control arm bushing area. Common problem that’s going to end up killing someone when it completely separates
  • 11491862 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
  • 10860646 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
Headlight condensation and dim illuminationEXTERIOR LIGHTING7 complaints2018-07 → 2021-05cadillac-cts-2012-headlight-condensation
  • 11205045 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
  • 11110608 MY STATION WAGON IS A 2012 THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN AUG 2013. IN ABOUT A YEAR I NOTICED CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE OF THE SEALED LED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY
  • 11254777 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES
Traction control and AWD deactivation warningSERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM5 complaints2012-05 → 2023-06cadillac-cts-2012-traction-control-disable
  • 11521525 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
  • 11439097 The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the traction control was off
  • 10458437 I TOOK MY CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH AND AFTERWARDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATED A FAILURE ON THE DASH WARNING LIGHT. AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER
Driveshaft bolt failurePOWER TRAIN4 complaints2018-05 → 2019-07cadillac-cts-2012-driveshaft-bolt-failure
  • 11228628 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE
  • 11142901 BOLTS BACKED OUT OF DRIVE SHAFT
  • 11092729 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AND THE SUPPORT BEARING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY
Brake pedal and brake line failureSERVICE BRAKES4 complaints2013-11 → 2017-01cadillac-cts-2012-brake-failure
  • 10947692 HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE, METAL ON METAL
  • 10726607 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE
  • 10638166 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED
Sunroof glass shatteringVISIBILITY3 complaints2015-01 → 2017-02cadillac-cts-2012-sunroof-shatter
  • 10949693 MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED
  • 10947541 MY SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING
  • 10670039 FRONT SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING
Ignition switch recall stall and power lossELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 complaints2014-03 → 2015-04cadillac-cts-2012-ignition-switch-stall
  • 10691138 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE, NOT THE KEY FOB OR KEY RING
  • 10568709 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
  • 10712837 ATTEMPTED TO TURN ONTO MAJOR ROAD AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING LEAVING CAR 3 QUARTERS OF THE WAY INTO RIGHT LANE. HAS HAPPENED 5 PREVIOUS TIMES
Air bag system inoperable warning lightAIR BAGS3 complaints2022-04 → 2025-01cadillac-cts-2012-airbag-inoperable
  • 11635385 "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
  • 11470406 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
  • 11460145 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

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
672012-05-142026-01-1460EXTERIOR LIGHTING:10; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:10; SERVICE BRAKES:9; SUSPENSION:7; AIR BAGS:6

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
14V39400002/07/2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONThis 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.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.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.
11V53600002/11/2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMGM 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.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202437legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Cadillac CTS vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/cadillac/cts
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_cadillac_cts_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Cadillac CTS},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/cadillac/cts}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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