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Verdict

2012 Cadillac CTS: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2012 Cadillac CTS — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.

Owners filed 67 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 56% of 2012 sedans. Electrical System leads the reports (13%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

67

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

19

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 56% of 2012 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (13% of 67 reports), followed by exterior lighting (13%).

Electrical System13% · 9 reports
Exterior Lighting13% · 9 reports
Air Bags9% · 6 reports
Service Brakes9% · 6 reports
Suspension7% · 5 reports
Unknown Or Other7% · 5 reports
Vehicle Speed Control7% · 5 reports
Power Train6% · 4 reports

+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 67 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10990875, ODI 10712837, ODI 10691138, ODI 10662668, ODI 10644067.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Electrical SystemFeb 2014 · 14V394000Details +

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.

Service BrakesFeb 2011 · 11V536000Details +

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Cadillac CTS SW RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

2012 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Cadillac CTS SW AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
CTS3.0L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive182721
CTS3.6L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive182721
CTS3.6L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive162619
CTS6.2L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive141916
CTS6.2L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive121814

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

Check recalls by VINConfirm open campaigns for the specific car.

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Compare model years

2010Fewest reports2011201220132014Most complained20152016201720182019

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2012 Cadillac CTS: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Owners filed 67 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Cadillac CTS — fewer complaints than 56% of comparable 2012 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (13% of complaints) and exterior lighting (13%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Cadillac CTS, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Cadillac CTS get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Cadillac CTS between 14 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.