This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Cadillac CTS electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Cadillac CTS have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 CTS | 36 |
| 2009 CTS | 22 |
| 2011 CTS | 18 |
| 2012 CTS (this page) | 9 |
| 2013 CTS | 20 |
| 2014 CTS | 10 |
| 2015 CTS | 5 |
| 2016 CTS | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 9 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 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 electrical 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.
This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The electrical system in the Cadillac seems to have a lot of issues and brings a lot of concerns to me, especially in transporting family members. First the navigation screen will sputter and start sporadically flashing on an off, second the controls on the steering wheels will randomly stop working, third the windows will not close or when opened they will close and then reopen automatically…
2012 Cadillac cts. Consumer writes in regards to recall repair remedy. *tgw the consumer stated gm's remedy to the ignition recall problem was to enclose two small key rings, to put on the ignition key and the key fob and remove the other items from the key rings. The consumer believed it was an inappropriate and temporary solution to the problem. *jb
In starting up from a stop light and making a left turn, my knee evidently hit the dangling key fob and turned off the engine. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Cadillac cts. The contact received replacement parts in the mail in reference to NHTSA campaign number: 14v394000 (electrical system). The contact was confused as to whether she was to install the parts herself or take them to a dealer for installation. The contact was also concerned that the remedy was too simple for such a serious failure. The manufacturer was not…
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 and instruction letter to repair the ignition "run" problem. The kit included 4, approximately…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Cadillac CTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 36,371 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.