Model year
2012 Cadillac CTS
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 65 complaints for the 2012 Cadillac CTS (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 2 complaints under CTS-V. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (9), SERVICE BRAKES (7). NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 14–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$5,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 313 complaints
- 2004 224 complaints
- 2005 277 complaints
- 2006 269 complaints
- 2007 217 complaints
- 2008 175 complaints
- 2009 167 complaints
- 2010 67 complaints
- 2011 101 complaints
- 2012 65 complaints
- 2013 73 complaints
- 2014 146 complaints
- 2015 49 complaints
- 2016 31 complaints
- 2017 27 complaints
- 2018 8 complaints
- 2019 10 complaints
Recalls
14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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)…
11V536000 · Nov 2, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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…
Complaints
65 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 6, fire flag on 0, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| CTS-V | 0 | 2 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 2 DR RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 4 DR AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | NHTSA photo |
| SW AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | — |
| SW RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS · 6.2L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 18 | 14 | — | — | $5,850 |
| CTS · 6.2L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| CTS · 3.6L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 26 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| CTS AWD · 3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon · 6.2L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 18 | 14 | — | — | $5,850 |
| CTS Wagon · 6.2L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| CTS Wagon AWD · 3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS Wagon · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| CTS AWD · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
1 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Cadillac CTS at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.