Cadillac CT4 problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most serious documented CT4 issue is recall 25V-148: on 2020–2021 models with the 10-speed automatic, internal transmission damage can lock the wheels. Early CT4s also have recalls for roof-rail air bags (2020–2022), daytime running lights (2020–2023), the air bag warning light (2021) and brake boost (2020).

CarWhere lists 5 documented CT4 issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

CT4 generations at a glance

Cadillac CT4 generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
First generation2020–present10-speed transmission damage can lock the wheels (recall 25V-148) · Roof-rail side air bags may be installed incorrectly (recall 21V-611) · Daytime running lights may not switch off with headlights (recall 22V-903) · Air bag warning light may not indicate a fault (recall 21V-421) · Electronic brake boost sensor contamination (recall 20V-588)

First generation CT4 problems (2020–present)

10-speed transmission damage can lock the wheels (recall 25V-148) (2020–2021)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2020–2021
Years:
2020–2021
Powertrain:
Models with the 10-speed automatic

Recall 25V-148 covers 2020–2021 CT4 and CT5 models with the 10-speed automatic, along with 2019–2020 CT6 and 2020–2022 Camaro models, about 90,081 vehicles in total. Internal transmission damage can lock the wheels while driving. Dealers install transmission control module monitoring software. On the CT4, Cadillac pairs the 10-speed with the 2.7L turbo; the 2.0L turbo uses an 8-speed.

Symptoms

  • Harsh shifts or transmission warning messages
  • Sudden wheel lock-up

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Cadillac dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 25V148 (2025-03) · 90,081 vehicles

Sources: [1][2][3]

Roof-rail side air bags may be installed incorrectly (recall 21V-611) (2020–2022)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2020–2022
Years:
2020–2022
Powertrain:
All

GM recalled about 34,157 2020–2022 CT4 and CT5 sedans because the roof-rail side curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly and might not deploy properly in a crash. Dealers inspect both curtain air bags and reinstall them as needed.

Symptoms

  • No visible symptom

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Cadillac dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 21V611 (2021-08) · 34,157 vehicles

Sources: [4][3]

Daytime running lights may not switch off with headlights (recall 22V-903) (2020–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2020–2023
Years:
2020–2023
Powertrain:
All

Recall 22V-903 covers 2020–2023 CT4 and CT5 models and many GM trucks and SUVs, about 740,108 vehicles in total, whose daytime running lights may stay on with the headlights, causing glare and failing FMVSS 108. The body control module software is updated over the air or by a dealer.

Symptoms

  • DRLs stay lit at full brightness with headlights on

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Confirm the software update was installed (over the air or by a dealer)

NHTSA recall: 22V903 (2022-12) · 740,108 vehicles

Sources: [5][3]

Air bag warning light may not indicate a fault (recall 21V-421) (2021)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2021
Years:
2021
Powertrain:
All

Recall 21V-421 covers 2021 CT4 and CT5 models among about 285,622 GM vehicles whose communications gateway module mishandles a loss of communication with the air bag sensing module, so the air bag warning light may not come on reliably. The software is updated over the air or by a dealer.

Symptoms

  • Air bag light behaving inconsistently

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Confirm the software update was installed (over the air or by a dealer)

NHTSA recall: 21V421 (2021-06) · 285,622 vehicles

Sources: [6][3]

Electronic brake boost sensor contamination (recall 20V-588) (2020)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2020
Years:
2020
Powertrain:
All

Recall 20V-588 covers some 2020 CT4, CT5 and XT4 models (3,677 vehicles with other GM models) whose electronic brake boost sensor connection may be contaminated, cutting brake assist so more pedal force is needed. Dealers replace the brake boost module.

Symptoms

  • Hard brake pedal
  • Brake warning messages

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Cadillac dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 20V588 (2020-09) · 3,677 vehicles

Sources: [7][3]

Related CT4 research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a CT4 was ordered before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Cadillac CT4 VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Cadillac build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Cadillac CT4 problems?

The main documented CT4 issues are recalls: 10-speed transmission damage on 2020–2021 models (25V-148), roof-rail air bag installation on 2020–2022 models (21V-611) and DRL software on 2020–2023 models (22V-903).

Which CT4 models have the transmission recall?

Recall 25V-148 covers 2020–2021 CT4 models with the 10-speed automatic, which the CT4 pairs with the 2.7L turbo (Premium Luxury option and CT4-V).

Does the CT4-V Blackwing have recalls?

No Blackwing-specific campaign appears in NHTSA's recall dataset. The roof-rail air bag and DRL recalls cover the 2022 CT4 model year, but coverage is set by VIN, so check each car.

How do I check a CT4 for open recalls?

Enter the VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup or ask a Cadillac dealer, and confirm any over-the-air remedy shows as complete.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recall 25V-148: Transmission Damage May Cause Wheel Lock-Up — NHTSA
  2. 2024 Cadillac CT4 at a glance: engines and transmissions (pressroom PDF) — Cadillac (General Motors)
  3. DOT/NHTSA recall dataset (6axg-epim) full-text query: CT4 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recall 21V-611: Roof Rail Side Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recall 22V-903: Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 108 — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA recall 21V-421: Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction — NHTSA
  7. NHTSA recall 20V-588: Sensor Contamination in Electronic Brake Boost — NHTSA

More Cadillac tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.