Cadillac CT5 problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most serious documented CT5 issue is recall 25V-148: on 2020–2021 models with the 10-speed automatic, internal transmission damage can lock the wheels. Early CT5s also share recalls with the CT4 for roof-rail air bags, daytime running lights, the air bag warning light and brake boost. The refreshed 2025–2026 cars have only a manual-download recall.

CarWhere lists 6 documented CT5 issues, including 6 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

CT5 generations at a glance

Cadillac CT5 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) · Electronic owner's manual may not download (recall 26V-114)

First generation CT5 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 CT5 and CT4 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.

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]

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 CT5 and CT4 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: [3][2]

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 CT5 and CT4 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: [4][2]

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 CT5 and CT4 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: [5][2]

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 CT5, CT4 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: [6][2]

Electronic owner's manual may not download (recall 26V-114) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2020–present) – 2026
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All

Recall 26V-114 covers 2026 CT5 models and dozens of other GM vehicles, about 5,861 in total, whose radio may not have been set to download the electronic owner's manual during production. Dealers reset the radio so the manual downloads.

Symptoms

  • Owner's manual not available on the infotainment screen

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: 26V114 (2026-02) · 5,861 vehicles

Sources: [7][2]

Related CT5 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 CT5 was ordered before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Cadillac CT5 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 CT5 problems?

The main documented CT5 issues are recalls on early cars: 10-speed transmission damage on 2020–2021 models (25V-148), roof-rail air bags on 2020–2022 (21V-611) and DRL software on 2020–2023 (22V-903).

Is the CT5 10-speed transmission recalled?

Yes. Recall 25V-148 covers 2020–2021 CT5 models with the 10-speed automatic; dealers install transmission control module monitoring software. Every CT5 automatic is a 10-speed; the Blackwing also offers a 6-speed manual.

Does the CT5-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 CT5 model year, but coverage is set by VIN, so check each car.

Does the refreshed 2025 CT5 have recalls?

In NHTSA's recall dataset, the only campaign naming the refreshed car is 26V-114, an owner's manual download fix for 2026 models.

How do I check a CT5 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. DOT/NHTSA recall dataset (6axg-epim) full-text query: CT5 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA
  3. NHTSA recall 21V-611: Roof Rail Side Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recall 22V-903: Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 108 — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recall 21V-421: Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA recall 20V-588: Sensor Contamination in Electronic Brake Boost — NHTSA
  7. NHTSA recall 26V-114: Missing Owner's Manual/FMVSS 208 — NHTSA

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