Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Cadillac CTS. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Ignition Switch may Turn Off
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
POWER VACUUM BRAKE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (65)
65 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 65 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 15.4% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 15.4% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 13.8% |
| Suspension | 7 | 10.8% |
| Air bags | 6 | 9.2% |
| Engine | 6 | 9.2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 9.2% |
| Structure | 5 | 7.7% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 7.7% |
| Power train | 4 | 6.2% |
How 2012 compares with other CTS years
Best and worst CTS years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 175 | 2 |
| 2009 | 167 | 5 |
| 2010 | 67 | 3 |
| 2011 | 101 | 2 |
| 2012 | 65 | 2 |
| 2013 | 73 | 2 |
| 2014 | 146 | 6 |
| 2015 | 47 | 3 |
| 2016 | 31 | 4 |
| 2017 | 27 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Cadillac CTS 4 dr awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | $5,850 | 635 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | $5,850 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 CTS for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Cadillac CTS FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 14V394000 (electrical), 11V536000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Cadillac CTS problems?
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (10), Exterior lighting (10), Service brakes (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates the 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Cadillac CTS get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Cadillac CTS 4 dr awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.3% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 CTS compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Cadillac CTS model years at least five years old, the 2017 drew the fewest complaints (27) and the 2008 the most (175). The 2012 drew 65. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.