2012 Cadillac CTS Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 15%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Cadillac CTS, 15% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,700 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“The electrical system in the Cadillac seems to have a lot of issues and brings a lot of concerns to me, especially in transporting family members. First the navigation screen will sputter and start sporadically flashing on an off, second the controls on the steering wheels will randomly stop working, third the windows will not close or when opened they will close and then reopen automatically multiple times, fourth the ABS/traction control/stabilitrack seems to have levels of error which I will explain more of. …”
NHTSA complaint #10662668, filed 2014-12, 28,400 miles“Driver side door would not open from outside with key or from inside with manual lever. The door lock button would not move to unlock door by the electric switch or by hand. I had to exit vehicle by crawling over center console and exiting passenger side. At some level I can understand the electrical door control failing, but I do not feel it is safe to not have a mechanical option to open the door under electrical failure. This first happened while vehicle was parked. Mechanic needed to crawl in the passenger side and remove door panel to replace door latch assembly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10990875, filed 2017-05, 61,000 miles“I am concerned about the repair kit sent to me by GM to correct a safety defect in my car. I wanted to make sure that the solution to this safety problem (labeled GM safety recall 1497) I received is the best and safest solution to fixing the problem. I received by regular us mail a repair kit and instruction letter to repair the ignition run problem. The kit included 4, approximately dime size thin metal key rings. Two of the rings were small enough to fit inside the larger rings. …”
NHTSA complaint #10633487, filed 2014-09“The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost all electrical power without warning. The engine failed and the vehicle was maneuvered onto the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after the failure occurred. The failure occurred seven times over a period of eighteen months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10568709, filed 2014-03, 19,000 miles“2012 Cadillac CTS. Consumer writes in regards to recall repair remedy. The consumer stated GM's remedy to the ignition recall problem was to enclose two small key rings, to put on the ignition key and the key fob and remove the other items from the key rings. The consumer believed it was an inappropriate and temporary solution to the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10644067, filed 2014-10Related recalls
- 14V394000Jul 2, 2014This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2003–2014, SRX 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This 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.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006293Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may crank over unprompted and not start afterward. This is the result of hooking up…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 10 | 32% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% |
| 2013 | 26 | 36% |
| 2012 | 10 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 20% |
| 2010 | 16 | 24% |
| 2009 | 26 | 16% |
| 2008 | 39 | 22% |
| 2007 | 41 | 19% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 39 | 14% |
| 2004 | 34 | 15% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2012 Cadillac CTS
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsAir bags
6 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 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