2012 Cadillac CTS Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Cadillac CTS, 9% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Vehicle was at complete stop in congested traffic. Driver had transmission in drive and foot on brake. Vehicle was approximately 5 feet from vehicle directly ahead. Vehicle was struck from behind by a large SUV causing vehicle to collide with vehicle directly ahead. Vehicle was declared a total loss. Vehicle rear rails were deformed by force of impact. Driver of vehicle was thrown forward, and then backward, with sufficient force to experience injury to neck and shoulders. Driver seat belt locked to reduce body movement resulting in bruises to left arm and chest. Air bags did not deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10595956, filed 2014-06, 12,500 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the front passenger's side air bag had failed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,273.”
NHTSA complaint #11470406, filed 2022-06, 126,273 miles“service air bag light is illuminated. Deal states the replacement part is out of production. Apparently, this is a relative common problem with this vehicle. The illumination of the warning light indicates the air bag system is not working.”
NHTSA complaint #11635385, filed 2025-01“The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a head, chest and foot injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10662860, filed 2014-12, 20,000 miles“Recaro seat sensor failure, causing passenger air bag system inoperable for the passenger side, it appears this a very common problem, the dealer states that they have replaced a lot of these in the past, but GM no longer has any available, cannot find one anywhere in the country (USA), the safety concern is if involved in an accident the passenger is not protected, the dealer has confirmed this is the problem thru diagnostics, have contacted manufacture and they have confirmed no parts available for a repair, service air bag system message and air bag light on intermittently numerous time…”
NHTSA complaint #11460145, filed 2022-04Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 13% |
| 2017 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 2 | 6% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 11 | 15% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2011 | 23 | 23% |
| 2010 | 16 | 24% |
| 2009 | 13 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 64 | 29% |
| 2006 | 87 | 32% |
| 2005 | 74 | 27% |
| 2004 | 26 | 12% |
| 2003 | 36 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2012 Cadillac CTS
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Cadillac CTS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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