2010 Cadillac CTS Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 20 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Cadillac CTS, 30% of that year's 67 total complaints. One recall (14V394000) covers the ignition switch/key ring issue tied to airbag operation, and owners reported a median failure mileage of 43,250 miles.
- Electrical System complaints
- 20
- 30% of 67
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 43,250 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the ignition key moving from "on" to "accessory" position while driving, cutting the engine and power steering/brake assist, sometimes when the driver's knee bumps the key fob.
- Some owners report the vehicle stalling without warning at low speed, in one case leading to a crash and injuries.
- Several complaints describe tail light lenses and lamp housings warping, cracking, or falling off the body, sometimes causing hand injuries during cleaning.
- One owner reported a sun visor wiring fire that burned ceiling upholstery and melted trim near the sunroof.
- Multiple owners who received the ignition switch recall notice (14V394000) said replacement parts were unavailable at dealers for extended periods.
- One complaint describes all exterior lights suddenly shutting off while driving at highway speed in low-light conditions.
When 2010 Cadillac CTS electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 29, 2012, latest Mar 20, 2025.
Electrical System recalls for the 2010 Cadillac CTS
- NHTSA 14V394000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System554,328 vehicles
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) 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.
Electrical System complaints by CTS model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Cadillac CTS?
- NHTSA lists 20 electrical system complaints for the 2010 CTS, making up 30% of the 67 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2010 Cadillac CTS?
- Yes. Recall campaign 14V394000, reported in 2014, covers an ignition switch/key ring defect that can affect airbag operation. The remedy involves installing key rings, an insert, or a cover over the key head.
- At what mileage do 2010 CTS electrical problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 43,250 miles for electrical system complaints on this model year.
- Did the 2010 Cadillac CTS electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA records show 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries linked to electrical system complaints for the 2010 CTS.
- How does the 2010 CTS compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2010 CTS had 20 electrical complaints (30% share), close to 2011 (27 complaints, 27%) and 2012 (20 complaints, 31%), but well below 2013's 30 complaints and 41% share.