Cadillac CTS Recalls (2010-2018)
The Cadillac CTS has been the subject of 14 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2018 model years. They cluster mostly around the power train, steering, and seats.
The Cadillac CTS scores 81 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 71% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 7% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 14 campaigns span 9 model years of the Cadillac CTS. The single largest affected 554,328 vehicles, over electrical system. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common CTS problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Cadillac CTS may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Cadillac CTS recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Cadillac CTS recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2018 Cadillac CTS Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2018 Cadillac CTS, involving the steering.
2017 Cadillac CTS Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2017 Cadillac CTS, involving the steering.
2016 Cadillac CTS Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2016 Cadillac CTS, involving the steering and seats.
2015 Cadillac CTS Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2015 Cadillac CTS, involving the power train, seats, and service brakes.
2014 Cadillac CTS Recalls
7 recalls affect the 2014 Cadillac CTS, involving the power train, seats, and electrical system.
2013 Cadillac CTS Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2013 Cadillac CTS, involving the electrical system.
2012 Cadillac CTS Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2012 Cadillac CTS, involving the electrical system and service brakes.
2011 Cadillac CTS Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2011 Cadillac CTS, involving the electrical system, air bags, and power train.
2010 Cadillac CTS Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2010 Cadillac CTS, involving the electrical system, suspension, and equipment.
Every Cadillac CTS recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 934
- Reported
- Mar 20, 2025
- Owners notified
- Apr 15, 2025
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
NHTSA campaign number 25V175000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2014-2015 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 2,866
- Reported
- Jan 23, 2020
- Owners notified
- May 1, 2020
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Cadillac CTS-V Sport vehicles equipped with 3.6L Twin Turbo V6 engines. The roll pins in the rear-axle differential may fracture.
Risk: If the roll pins fracture while the vehicle is in motion, the rear wheels may lock up and the driver can lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the rear axle differential, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2020. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N192279370.
NHTSA campaign number 20V038000.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 26,772
- Reported
- Feb 7, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jun 13, 2019
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
NHTSA campaign number 19V086000.
Seats
- Affected years
- 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 52,867
- Reported
- Sep 7, 2018
- Owners notified
- Nov 1, 2018
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS vehicles, equipped with heated front seats. The flexible heating mats in the front seats may be damaged over time, resulting in the seat heaters producing excessive heat.
Risk: In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the body control module, disabling the automatic activation of the heated seat when the vehicle is remotely started, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for the recall is 18286.
NHTSA campaign number 18V595000.
Service Brakes
- Affected years
- 2015 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 2,163
- Reported
- Jun 9, 2015
- Owners notified
- Jul 6, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
Risk: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.
NHTSA campaign number 15V358000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 106,307
- Reported
- Oct 1, 2014
- Owners notified
- Dec 26, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
NHTSA campaign number 14V614000.
Seats
- Affected years
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 124,007
- Reported
- Jul 23, 2014
- Owners notified
- Aug 15, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
NHTSA campaign number 14V446000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2010-2014 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 554,328
- Reported
- Jul 2, 2014
- Owners notified
- Sep 15, 2014
Defect: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 14V394000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 90,750
- Reported
- Jun 19, 2014
- Owners notified
- Aug 29, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
NHTSA campaign number 14V338000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2011 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 16,932
- Reported
- Jun 19, 2014
- Owners notified
- Aug 25, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Risk: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
NHTSA campaign number 14V341000.
Visibility
- Affected years
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 19,225
- Reported
- May 15, 2014
- Owners notified
- Jul 14, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative.
Risk: An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2104. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157.
NHTSA campaign number 14V253000.
Service Brakes
- Affected years
- 2012 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 674
- Reported
- Nov 2, 2011
- Owners notified
- Nov 2, 2011
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 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.
NHTSA campaign number 11V536000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2010 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 44,147
- Reported
- Feb 11, 2011
- Owners notified
- Mar 24, 2011
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign number 11V089000.
Equipment
- Affected years
- 2010 Cadillac CTS
- Vehicles in this recall
- 20,224
- Reported
- Sep 13, 2010
- Owners notified
- Oct 20, 2010
Defect: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
NHTSA campaign number 10V414000.
Common questions about Cadillac CTS recalls
- Does the Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on record for the Cadillac CTS across the 2010 to 2018 model years. The most common areas are the power train, steering, and seats.
- How many times has the Cadillac CTS been recalled?
- The Cadillac CTS has 14 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2018 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Cadillac CTS recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the electrical system, affecting 554,328 vehicles. 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.
- Which Cadillac CTS model year has the most recalls?
- The 2014 Cadillac CTS has the most, with 7 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Cadillac CTS has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.