This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Cadillac CTS cruise control problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 5 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Cadillac CTS in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
In situations where your vehicle side doors will not open from INSIDE the vehicle due to low or no battery voltage, such as a discharged or disconnected battery, or if the vehicle is entered without the key fob or the fob is not working, the driver and passenger side doors can be opened from the inside of the vehicle by using the manual release levers located on the floor between the seats and the door openings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently to 90 MPH after the gear shifter was shift to manual. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to al moore Cadillac located at 9177 w broad st, richmond, va 23294 where the diagnosis was not provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Cadillac CTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 91,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Cadillac/CTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.