2021 Cadillac CT5 Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 41,850miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2021 Cadillac CT5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by body and structure (7) and other or unknown (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,850 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 800 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 195 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system13 43%
- Body and structure7 23%
- Other or unknown4 13%
- Air bags2 6.7%
- Brakes1 3.3%
- Engine1 3.3%
- Exterior lighting1 3.3%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I've had my driver side door handle switch replaced beacuse it was faulty and I could not get into my car through the driver side. Now I am having the same issue with the passanger side. In a case of an emergeny if I can not get into my car I fear for my or my passanger's safety. I fear the quality of the parts are not ment to last. I replaced the driver side handle right before the manufactur warreny ran out then the passanger door stopped working when the warrenty ran out.”
NHTSA complaint #11720298, filed 2026-02Body and structure: “Beginning of 2025 my drivers side door handle would not open from the outside of the car only the inside . I took it to a certified Cadillac dealer which they had to replace the door handle . Now July 10, 2025 my front passenger side is doing the same thing and I will not have to take my car in to see if they can fix it or it this too will need to be replaced. This causes a hazard of emergency no one would be able to open the door from outside of the vehicle .”
NHTSA complaint #11679649, filed 2025-08Other or unknown: “I have experienced a serious and recurring safety issue with the door handles on my Cadillac CT5 vehicles. The exterior door handles have stopped working, preventing the doors from being opened normally. On one occasion, I was trying to get my child out of the back seat when the rear door handle failed and would not open. Because the child safety lock was engaged, my child was also unable to open the door from the inside. I had to climb through the vehicle and use another door to get my child out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11765920, filed 2026-09Transmission and drivetrain: “Service transmission message showed up on dash. Dealer stated after performance test found P17A5 code for shift control. The dealer stated that the gear shift assembly needed to be replaced and if not, that the car could get stuck in gear which I feel is a safety risk. My vehicle only has 37,111 miles on it and I am pretty much the only driver.”
NHTSA complaint #11636164, filed 2025-01Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,100 and 48,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Cadillac CT5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT5 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| CT5 · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| CT5-V · sedan AWD | not rated | — | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| CT5-V · sedan RWD | not rated | — | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Cadillac CT5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT5 RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 23 | 32 | 26 | $3,150 |
| CT5 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| CT5 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
| CT5 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| CT5 V RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| CT5 V AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 10-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 25V148000Mar 6, 2025Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Cadillac CT5 2020–2021, Chevrolet Camaro 2020–2022, Cadillac CT6 2019–2020 +1 more
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.
- 22V903000Dec 8, 2022Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › SoftwareCovers: Cadillac CT5 2020–2023, CT4 2020–2023, Buick Envision 2021–2023 +8 more
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…
- 21V611000Aug 5, 2021Air bags › Side/window › CurtainCovers: Cadillac CT5 2020–2022, CT4 2020–2022
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.
- 21V421000Jun 10, 2021Air bags › Srs malfunction warning lamp/lightCovers: Cadillac CT5 2021, Chevrolet Tahoe 2021, GMC Yukon 2021 +7 more
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…
Recall details for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 800 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037319Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This PI advises of a procedure for a Service Door Latch System message with No Related DTCs
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11036392Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11034769Jun 23, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- 11032764May 11, 2026Other or unknown. Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- 11032763May 11, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11031948Apr 25, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with a replace or low FOB battery message
- 11031717Apr 20, 2026Other or unknown. This PI communicates information on a SPS programming issue causing Serial Data Authentication Configuration to fail.
Other model years of the Cadillac CT5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 1,200 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 10 | — | 0 | 5 | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 13 | 19,480 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 11 | 3,500 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 30 | 41,850 | 4 | 5 | 22 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2020 | 39 | 12,000 | 4 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by body and structure with 7.
Has the 2021 Cadillac CT5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Cadillac CT5 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Cadillac CT5 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Cadillac CT5 (CT5, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Cadillac CT5 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,850 miles and the middle half falls between 35,100 and 48,600 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.