2021 Cadillac CT5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Cadillac CT5 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 2nd worst of 6 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints, 4 recalls, and the top problem area is the Electrical System at 46% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 CT5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Cadillac CT5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (46%)
- Structure & Body6 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (14%)
- Other3 (11%)
- Airbags2 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Engine1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Door handles on multiple doors stop working because the sensor-based mechanism fails, preventing entry or exit from outside the vehicle.
- Owners report the ABS computer and main ECU failing to communicate, which disables assisted braking, steering, and AWD and can prevent the car from stopping in time.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, including a rear-end collision and a head-on impact from another vehicle.
- A gear shift assembly problem triggered a service transmission warning and a fault code, with owners warned the car could get stuck in gear.
- A sunroof reportedly shattered without impact while driving at highway speed, at 35,100 miles.
- Owners describe a persistent pulling issue while driving that alignment service did not fix, along with faulty wiper blades and a non-functioning running light.
2021 Cadillac CT5 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V148000Mar 6, 2025Transmission & Powertrain90,081 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.
- NHTSA 22V903000Dec 8, 2022Electrical System740,108 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
- NHTSA 21V611000Aug 5, 2021Airbags34,157 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.
2021 Cadillac CT5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other CT5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Cadillac CT5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 CT5 ranks 2nd worst among 6 model years with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues make up 46% of its complaints.
- What problems does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 have?
- NHTSA lists 28 complaints for the 2021 CT5, led by the Electrical System (46% of complaints, 13 total), followed by Structure & Body (21%) and Transmission & Powertrain (14%).
- Does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 CT5 covering the transmission control module, body control module software, and two airbag-related issues, including improperly installed roof rail side-curtain airbags.
- Which Cadillac CT5 model years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, both 2020 and 2021 carry an Avoid verdict, with 2020 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2022 model year has a complaint index of 0 and is rated Best.
- What is the most common issue reported on the 2021 CT5?
- Electrical System problems are the most common, accounting for 13 of 28 complaints (46%), including door handle failures and ABS/ECU communication faults.