Cadillac loves keeping their cars premium and they’ve successfully been able to deliver premium vehicles for a long time now. The Cadillac CTS is a midsize sedan that focuses majorly on luxury, comfort, and reliability. In terms of sales, Cadillac clocked over 51,500 units and for s premium segment sedan, the number seems to be good. The car has had only 61 complaints with 2 recalls. Users of the CTS mostly faced the dimming of headlights and even though many users found this issue, there was no recall arranged for this issue. Competing in this segment isn’t easy as the Cadillac needs to face cars like the Audi A6, the Jaguar XF, and the Lexus GS 350, which are all cars with a great balance of food and sleep.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Door lock – The users stated that the driver-side door lock would not unlock from the inside. It wouldn’t unlock manually or by using the key fob as the lock felt stuck. This forced the driver to crawl over the center console and exit from the passenger side. The dealers had to replace the door latch assembly.
- Ignition – The Users found the recall remedy for the ignition issue that GM provided to be inappropriate and temporary as the problem was not eliminated. Moreover, the repair kit was mailed to the users and without any expertise, the users were confused about how to install the parts.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The car was said to cut off while slowing down with a whining noise. The car failed to start back up and hence had to be towed to the dealers. The mechanics found the timing chain to have failed and needed a replacement.
- Transmission – Users were driving when they suddenly heard an unusual noise from underneath the car. The vehicle was immediately taken to the mechanics and they found two driveshaft bolts to have fractured. The necessary repair was performed and the car performed as it should.
- Brakes – The users heard a grinding noise when applying the brakes and the car also took an extra distance to completely stop. The car was taken to the mechanics and it was found that all 4 brake pads needed to be replaced. There also was a lot of rust on the brake assembly. The brakes wore out way earlier than the expected life and some research online showed this to be a common issue.
Safety Problems
- Airbag – The Recaro seat sensor was said to have failed, resulting in making the front passenger airbag inoperable. The dealers stated that the sensor and the airbag unit would need to be replaced but due to the shortage of parts, users had to wait until the fix is available.
Exterior Problems
- Headlights – The users stated that the car was brand new and in a few months, the headlights started feeling dim at night, making it difficult to drive. Upon inspection, the headlight housing was found to have moisture accumulation and this was found to be a common issue among users.
2012 Cadillac CTS recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
2nd July 2014 |
14V394000 |
Ignition switch may turn off. |
If the key is not in the run position, the airbags would not deploy in case of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
Dealers will install 2 key rings and an insert in the key slot or cover over the key head on all ignition keys. |
|
2. |
2nd November 2011 |
11V536000 |
Power vacuum brake. |
The pushrod could separate and result in a loss of braking ability. |
The power vacuum brake boost pushrod nut will be inspected and if necessary, will be re-torqued to the correct requirement. |
Should you buy the 2012 Cadillac CTS?
The 2012 Cadillac CTS has clearly made its point of being a reliable vehicle but unfortunately, there have been slight issues in terms of one of the recalls. The ignition switch recall remedy was installing rings that were mailed to the users. The users also found the remedy to be of no use as the ignition cylinder is what had to be replaced. That said, the Cadillac CTS still is a reliable car, and to report such a limited number of complaints after selling over 51k units is an incredible feat. We recommend getting the front passenger airbag sensors checked as there have been failures and a shortage of parts. We find the CTS to be very friendly and easy to operate, making it a user-focused and dependable car.
