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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 September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See electrical across all vehicles →
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
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.
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.
Service Bulletin23-NA-001Mar 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
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.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
electrical
· filed 12/07/2014
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…
electrical
· filed 10/16/2014
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
electrical
· filed 09/24/2014
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
electrical
· filed 09/19/2014
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…
electrical
· filed 09/16/2014
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.