Cadillac CTS Recalls

The Cadillac CTS has 37 recalls spanning the 2003–2018 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture during deployment on 2015–2016 models, sending metal fragments into the cabin and raising the risk of serious injury or death.

The most recent production years, 2016–2018, share a recall for the electric power steering assist system, which can fail without warning and demand significantly more steering effort, particularly at low speeds. The 2015 model year carries two additional high-priority issues: a brake pedal bracket that can fracture during normal use and leave the driver with no service brakes, and the same airbag inflator rupture concern noted above. The 2014–2016 models with heated front seats have a flexible heating mat that can degrade over time, produce excessive heat, and in remote-start situations potentially melt or ignite the seat.

Going back into the 2011–2014 range, the 2014 model has windshield wipers that can stop working if the battery dies while the wipers are iced over and the vehicle is then jump-started. The 2012 model has a brake booster pushrod nut that can work loose and separate the pushrod from the pedal assembly, eliminating braking ability. On 2011 all-wheel-drive models, vibrations from a worn driveshaft CV joint can trigger the rollover sensor and cause the roof rail airbags to deploy unexpectedly.

The 2009–2010 models have a rear suspension toe link that can loosen and separate, allowing a rear wheel to steer itself inward or outward and causing sudden loss of vehicle control. The 2009 model year also has a passenger seat sensing mat that can kink from repeated flexing and disable the front passenger airbag, a concern that extends back through 2005–2007 models as well. The 2009 model also has a passenger seat sensor software fault that can incorrectly enable or disable the front passenger airbag.

On 2003–2007 models, a brake hose fitting at the front caliper can corrode in salt-belt regions and rupture without warning, reducing stopping ability. The same era, 2004–2007 CTS-V models specifically, has a fuel pump module where the electrical terminals can overheat, melt the flange, and cause a fuel leak and stall. The 2005 model year with a V6 engine can experience fuel starvation below a quarter tank without triggering any dashboard warning, leaving the engine unable to restart. The 2005 model also has a rear axle pinion seal that can leak differential fluid and cause loss of drive power or control.

The 2003 model carries a steering shaft bolt that can loosen and separate the upper and lower shaft sections, causing complete loss of steering. The 2003–2014 models have an ignition key that can be bumped out of the run position by a driver's knee, which can prevent airbags from deploying in a crash. The 2004 model has an airbag sensing module that can fire the driver's frontal airbag or the roof rail airbag simply when the ignition is switched on, and separately, front seat anchor tabs that may not be fully seated in the floor, allowing a seat to pivot rearward in a crash.