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2012 Cadillac CTS: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationAn average CTS year.
67 owner complaints, most about exterior lighting. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 CTS?The 2012 Cadillac CTS has 67 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and electrical system. Owners most often flag timing chain stretch/failure on 3.6l engines, especially when oil runs low.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Cadillac CTS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CTS years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the CTS?
Across the 17 CTS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 334 (2009). With 67 complaints, the 2012 CTS sits below the model's median of 108.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 CTS
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V394000This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 11V536000GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT MAY NOT BE TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS NOT TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
What owners report on the 2nd generation CTS
Owners generally describe the second-generation CTS as a good, enjoyable car that rewards proper maintenance but punishes neglect.
- Very frequentTiming chain stretch/failure on 3.6L engines, especially when oil runs low
- Very frequentOil consumption on 3.6L engines requiring vigilant level monitoring
- RecurrentSunroof drain clogging causing water leaks into cabin
- RecurrentWheel hub assembly failures, especially in salt-belt regions
- RecurrentTransmission harsh shifting or failure around 100,000+ miles
Owner insights for the 2nd generation CTS. Read the full 2nd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used CTS listings typically run $11,549–$18,393 across 2008 to 2019 model years.
Other CTS model years
Compare every CTS year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CTS against its rivals
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