Every 2021 Cadillac CT5 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 25V148000
Jun 3, 2025Power Train:Automatic Transmission
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.
Full recall details for 25V148000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 22V903000
Aug 12, 2022Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:SoftwareOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
Full recall details for 22V903000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 21V421000
Oct 6, 2021Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/LightOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
- Risk
- The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
Full recall details for 21V421000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 21V611000
May 8, 2021Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.
Full recall details for 21V611000 →
2021 Cadillac CT5 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac CT5, reporting 3 crashes, 2 injuries. Cadillac has issued at least 800 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System12
- Structure6
- Power Train4
- Unknown Or Other4
- Air Bags2
- Forward Collision Avoidance2
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (209)
- Electrical System (194)
- Unknown Or Other (141)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (118)
- Power Train (88)
- Engine (65)
Read Cadillac CT5 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2021 Cadillac CT5
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac CT5. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“My 2025 Cadillac CT5 was stationary at a red light behind a red truck when a black truck traveling in the opposite direction struck the truck head-on. The red truck was pushed backward into the front of my CT5 with enough force to cause major front-end damage. Despite this, no airbags deployed.”
2021 CADILLAC CT5Jul 26, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11676354
Crash
“When approaching a stopping vehicle the brake pedal became extremely hard to press and I could not brake enough to stop and had a collision. Come to find out that the ABS computer and the main ECU weren't communicating correctly which turned off the assisted braking, assisted steering and the AWD.”
2021 CADILLAC CT5Aug 1, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11605992
Injury reportedCrash
“There was no indication that the Automatic Braking System, Air Bags and Seatbelts were not working properly. In August 12, 2021, I was in an auto accident where I rear-ended another dodge car. The air bags did not deploy and Onstar was not notified. I believe I hit the steering wheel.”
2021 CADILLAC CT5Aug 29, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11430956
“The Cadillac CT5 door handles are operated via a button instead of a typical pull style handle. The buttons fail regularly meaning you cannot open the specific door(s) where the button has failed. With small children in the car when this fails it poses a severe health and safety risk.”
2021 CADILLAC CT5Sep 25, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11766863
“I am filing a formal safety complaint against General Motors (GM) regarding an unresolved transmission safety hazard on my 2021 Cadillac CT5 550T.”
2021 CADILLAC CT5Sep 24, 2026 · TX
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11766791
Check your CT5 by VIN
Not every 2021 Cadillac CT5 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Cadillac dealer.
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