Is the 2012 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2012 Cadillac CTS has 81 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (10 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (10 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Cadillac CTS?

The 2012 Cadillac CTS gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Cadillac CTS is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Cadillac CTS has 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is electrical problems (12% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the instrument panel and the door were not properly aligned. the contact was able to erroneously place his finger between the door and the instrument panel on the driver side, with additional space remaining. when the contact placed h. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

8 crash reports 11 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DOOR WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY PLACE HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE REMAINING. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED H
• TL* 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.
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DOOR WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY PLACE HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE REMAINING. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED H”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Cadillac CTS

Based on 60 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 33K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Later than typicalmedian 55K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION02/07/2014

This 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.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$4,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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

Show:

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 2012 Cadillac CTS

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

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 rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

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 2012 CTS, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 81 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DOOR WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY PLACE HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE REMAINING. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED H
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH MANY CURVES AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I WENT TO TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BY PUSHING LEVER ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL OUTWARDS THE BRIGHT LIGHTS CAME ON AS INTENDED BUT AT THE SAME TIME I APPARENTLY HIT THE SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTS IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TO CLOSE TOGETHER UNLIKE NORMAL PEDALS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE PEDALS BEING CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I TOOK MY CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH AND AFTERWARDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATED A FAILURE ON THE DASH WARNING LIGHT. AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER, AND I'M TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS DUE TO INHIBITING HALF OF THE INJECTORS IF THE TC SYSTEM FAILS. THE TC SYSTEM "HEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)