2012 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#4 most-complained of 10 CTS years
The 2012 Cadillac CTS has 65 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 4th worst of 10 model years with a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues lead with 20 complaints (31%), followed by Engine (12) and Brakes (11), plus 2 recalls.
- Complaints
- 65
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
Top 2012 Cadillac CTS problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System20 (31%)
- Engine12 (18%)
- Brakes11 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (14%)
- Airbags6 (9%)
- Structure & Body6 (9%)
- Other5 (8%)
- Steering4 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly failed to respond or extended to the floor, leading to rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic.
- Front passenger tire and lower control arm detached while driving around 60 mph, causing loss of suspension components and a crash into a barrier.
- Steering wheel shook and made a knocking sound when turning in reverse, with no fix available at the dealer.
- Accelerator reportedly stuck during a passing maneuver at highway speed, preventing the driver from slowing down.
- Instrument panel and door trim were misaligned, leaving a gap large enough to catch a hand.
- Headlight control lever caused the lights to shut off unexpectedly while driving through curves at night.
2012 Cadillac CTS recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 11V536000Nov 2, 2011Brakes674 vehicles
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 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.
2012 Cadillac CTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2012 compared with other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- NHTSA lists 65 complaints for the 2012 CTS with a complaint index of 67, ranking it 4th worst among the 10 model years covered. This gives it a Caution verdict relative to other CTS years.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2012 Cadillac CTS?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 20 reports, 31% of all complaints, at a median mileage of 27,700 miles. Engine and Brakes follow with 12 and 11 complaints respectively.
- Does the 2012 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 CTS: one for an electrical/airbag system defect (14V394000) and one for a brake pushrod retention nut issue (11V536000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 CTS compare to other model years?
- The 2012 CTS's complaint index of 67 is better than 2011 (89), 2013 (78), and 2014 (100), which are all rated Avoid, but worse than 2015-2019, which range from Good to Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Cadillac CTS?
- EPA rates the 2012 CTS at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.