2021 Cadillac CT5 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2021 Cadillac CT5, 23% of the 30 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 2025-08“Currently my passenger door and my rear driver side door do not open from the outside. I already had to have my driver side door handle replaced for the same issue, now three out of four of my handles have failed. If an accident were to occur no one would be able to access the passenger or the rear driver passenger from the outside because the doors do not open. Since I can not open the door from the outside I had to remove the child lock from the rear door so my child can exit the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11641989, filed 2025-02“All 4 of my door handles suddenly stopped working and they will start working from time to time. Most of the time it’s 3-4 days where i cant open my door’s from the outside. I have looked into this and have found that MANY other CT5 users have had the same experience where they are unable to open their doors from the outside, most stating that it could be the door actuator. Others stating they have taken their vehicle in and have been quoted up to $4,000 to do the repair on something we shouldn’t have to worry about. Getting into our own vehicles? …”
NHTSA complaint #11748689, filed 2026-07“The door opening mechanism has failed on the drivers outside door handle. It locks and unlocks fine but it will not open. I can use an alternative by the getting the emergency access key out of the fob and popping off the handle and open with that key. Or I can go in thru another door and open it from inside or somehow open all the windows using the fob with some kind of press this and that at the same time, and access inside handle thru the window. This becomes a safety concern because I'm usually alone, and this makes me vulnerable when I have to get into the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11755622, filed 2026-08“All four exterior door handles on my 2021 Cadillac CT5 have experienced the same intermittent failure. The handles initially work intermittently and then become unable to release the door. This has occurred on all four doors. This creates a serious safety concern because occupants may be unable to enter or exit the vehicle normally, and emergency responders may be unable to access occupants through the affected doors. This appears to be a systemic defect affecting multiple CT5 vehicles, rather than an isolated component failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11761126, filed 2026-08Related service bulletins
- 11015382Feb 20, 2025This informational bulletin provides a procedure on how to remove the paint stain that may present itself under the shipping film.
- 11014171Jan 31, 2025This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
- 11014238Jan 30, 2025This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- 11013269Jan 16, 2025This informational bulletin provides a guide on how to diagnose and test for vibrations utilizing the PicoScope.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11010493Oct 5, 2024This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- 11009764Sep 21, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 11006402Aug 15, 2024This Preliminary information communicates that a service door latch system message maybe displayed without any related DTC's.
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Cadillac CT5
13 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Cadillac CT5
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology