How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

NHTSA lists 20 electrical system complaints for the 2012 CTS, which is 31% of the 65 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Cadillac CTS electrical system?

Yes. Recall campaign 14V394000, reported in 2014, covers an electrical system defect involving the ignition key and key fob that can affect airbag operation. The remedy involves installing key rings and a cover or insert on the key head.

At what mileage do 2012 CTS electrical problems typically show up?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 27,700 at the time of failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 CTS.

Have electrical system failures caused crashes or fires on the 2012 CTS?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the 20 electrical system complaints for the 2012 CTS report 0 crashes and 0 fires.

Is the 2012 CTS worse than other years for electrical complaints?

The 2012 CTS shows a 31% share of complaints tied to the electrical system, higher than 2010 (30%), 2011 (27%), and most other years except 2013 (41%) and 2018 (50%).

2012 Cadillac CTS Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 20 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Cadillac CTS, 31% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 27,700. A related recall (14V394000) covers ignition key/key fob issues affecting the airbag system.

Electrical System complaints: 20; 31% of 65
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 27,700 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Ignition switch can shut off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes triggered when a knee bumps the dangling key fob, causing complete loss of engine power.
Vehicle loses all electrical power without warning at speed, forcing the driver to coast to the shoulder, with some owners reporting this happened multiple times over many months.
Steering column light-control lever can accidentally toggle from bright lights to parking lights only, temporarily reducing visibility while driving.
Navigation screen and steering wheel controls act erratically, flickering or losing response intermittently.
Power door locks and window switches malfunction, with windows failing to close properly and door locks becoming inoperable from both inside and outside.
Owners who received the recall remedy kit for the ignition/key ring issue described it as an inadequate fix that did not resolve the underlying ignition switch problem.

When 2012 Cadillac CTS electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 2, 2012, latest May 4, 2021.

20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2012 to May 2021; peak Sep 2014 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2012 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.

200544 (16%)
200648 (18%)
200745 (21%)
200844 (25%)
200928 (17%)
201020 (30%)
201127 (27%)
201220 (31%)
201330 (41%)
201417 (12%)
20155 (11%)
201610 (32%)
20172 (7%)
20184 (50%)
20191 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Cadillac CTS?: NHTSA lists 20 electrical system complaints for the 2012 CTS, which is 31% of the 65 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Cadillac CTS electrical system?: Yes. Recall campaign 14V394000, reported in 2014, covers an electrical system defect involving the ignition key and key fob that can affect airbag operation. The remedy involves installing key rings and a cover or insert on the key head.
At what mileage do 2012 CTS electrical problems typically show up?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 27,700 at the time of failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 CTS.
Have electrical system failures caused crashes or fires on the 2012 CTS?: According to NHTSA complaint data, the 20 electrical system complaints for the 2012 CTS report 0 crashes and 0 fires.
Is the 2012 CTS worse than other years for electrical complaints?: The 2012 CTS shows a 31% share of complaints tied to the electrical system, higher than 2010 (30%), 2011 (27%), and most other years except 2013 (41%) and 2018 (50%).