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Cadillac

2020 Cadillac CT5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 has 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.9x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is transmission problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. in september i had service traction control/stabilitrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. i had it serviced again in october for the same issue it was at the dealership f. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 4 injuries

55

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

3.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

13 complaints
24%
  • this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. In September I had Service Traction control/StabiliTrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. I had it serviced again in October for the same issue it was at the dealership f
  • Safety Concerns and Defects: I am reporting several safety-related defects in my 2020 Cadillac CT5, which have posed serious risks to me and my family: ⸻ 1. Transmission Pump Failure: •The transmission pump failed, causing loss of power and jerking while driving at highway speeds. This occurred o
  • The contact's sister owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear wheels locked up. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear w
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. In September I had Service Traction control/StabiliTrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. I had it serviced again in October for the same issue it was at the dealership f

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Cadillac CT5

Based on 17 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 670 miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
11
30-60K
0
60-100K
6
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN05/08/2021

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.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Cadillac CT5

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,001
Per month
$167
Per mile
16.7¢
MPG
24
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Cadillac CT5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$2,014
Full coverage / month
$168
Liability only / year
$668
vs US avg
+20%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2014

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
6 yr / 70K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2020 CT5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 55 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • TRANSMISSION: this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. In September I had Service Traction control/StabiliTrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. I had it serviced again in October for the same issue it was at the dealership f

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 50 MPH, AND TAKES SWEEPING TURNS / GRADUAL BENDS ON THE HIGHWAY, IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT TURNING RIGHT IS MUCH HARDER THAN TURNING LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS MUCH STIFFER AND FEELS HEAVIER WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AT SPEED, ALMOST LIKE IT'S PERMANENTLY STUCK IN SP

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: PURCHASED MY 2020 CT5 IN APRIL 2020. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST AND FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE. GM HAS DISPATCHED A SENIOR ADVISOR TO TEST THE VEHICLE AND EVEN LEFT A CODE READER IN THE VEHICLE TO TRACK ITS PERFORMANCE. MESS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. In September I had Service Traction control/StabiliTrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. I had it serviced again in October for the same issue it was at the dealership f

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Cadillac CT5 — Year Comparison

How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
55
Recalls
4
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
14

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2020 Cadillac CT5