Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2021 Cadillac CT4 with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Cadillac CT4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2021 Cadillac CT4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
216.7%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
18.3%
Tires
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Suspension
18.3%
Steering
18.3%
Electrical System
18.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2022peak 3Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2021 Cadillac CT4
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE21010Opened 9 Apr 2021Closed 24 Aug 2023AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Air Bag Malfunction
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001...
Recalls on the 2021 Cadillac CT4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20251183,413 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: Over time, the transmission control valve could wear and lose pressure. If this happens, the transmission could shift harshly and could cause the wheels to lock up. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Safety Risk: Wheels that lock suddenly could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the transmission control module software to detect excess wear in advance of a wheel lock up. If detected, a service engine light would turn on, a message would display in the instrument panel and the vehicle would be limited to fifth gear.
Recall 2024060273,306 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the lower beam headlamps not to turn on as it becomes dark outside if the multi-function switch is in the "OFF" or "PARKING LAMP" position. This could also cause the daytime running lamps (DRLs) to turn off when the vehicle is moving. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: Headlamps and/or DRLs that don't turn on could reduce visibility, make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the body control module (BCM)software.
Recall 202270085,685 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain vehicles, the daytime running lamps (DRLs) may stay on when the headlamps are on. Canadian regulations require the DRLs to turn off when the headlamps are on. Safety Risk: Daytime running lamps that stay on could cause glare for oncoming drivers and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the body control module (BCM) software.
Recall 20214882,655 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the roof-rail airbags may not have been installed correctly. As a result, the airbags may not inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: A roof-rail airbag that does not inflate properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the roof-rail airbags. If necessary, they will be reinstalled correctly.
Recall 202134816,400 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the airbag warning light not to turn on when there is a fault in the airbag system. As a result, a driver might not be alerted of the problem and the airbags may not work properly in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag system that does not work properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to each vehicle. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Chatsworth, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate, life-threatening hazard as I was left stranded and blocking high-speed freeway traffic. Only after the mechanical failure occurred did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was towed to Cadillac Dealership. The service department confirmed that the vehicle suffered from the known defective transmission control valve covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V148. The dealership ordered the replacement valve body but aborted the repair after confirming that the control valve's failure caused massive internal fluid leaks and total mechanical destruction of the transmission assembly. The manufacturer is currently denying coverage for the complete transmission replacement, despite the fact that the total failure was consequential damage directly caused by the federally recalled, component defect.
NHTSA complaint #11747192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chatsworth, CA
ENGINE
While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate, life-threatening hazard as I was left stranded and blocking high-speed freeway traffic. Only after the mechanical failure occurred did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was towed to Cadillac Dealership. The service department confirmed that the vehicle suffered from the known defective transmission control valve covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V148. The dealership ordered the replacement valve body but aborted the repair after confirming that the control valve's failure caused massive internal fluid leaks and total mechanical destruction of the transmission assembly. The manufacturer is currently denying coverage for the complete transmission replacement, despite the fact that the total failure was consequential damage directly caused by the federally recalled, component defect.
NHTSA complaint #11747192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chatsworth, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate, life-threatening hazard as I was left stranded and blocking high-speed freeway traffic. Only after the mechanical failure occurred did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was towed to Cadillac Dealership. The service department confirmed that the vehicle suffered from the known defective transmission control valve covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V148. The dealership ordered the replacement valve body but aborted the repair after confirming that the control valve's failure caused massive internal fluid leaks and total mechanical destruction of the transmission assembly. The manufacturer is currently denying coverage for the complete transmission replacement, despite the fact that the total failure was consequential damage directly caused by the federally recalled, component defect.
NHTSA complaint #11747192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Check engine light for P1467 on a 2021 CT4 V. This is for a "purge pump underspeed" issue. The issue is known on CT4 Cadillacs and has an active recall out: N242441120 Evaporative Emissions Purge Pump. This recall is only for the 2.0, LSY engines, but the much more uncommon 2.7, L3B engine in my car uses the same part # for the purge pump. It feels as though they are intentionally ignoring an equal emissions issue, but just on a smaller scale with the limited number of these engines they sold. What actions can I take?
NHTSA complaint #11741180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
POWER TRAIN
There is a known issue with hesitation and hard shifting on my vehicle. According to the gm bulletin that was released I believe in may of 25 my year, make and model has a known issue where the transmission control valve may stick or wear causing jerking and shifting issues and could cause a possible crash. According to the bulletin by gm the fix is to replace the valve cover on the transmission. My vehicle is currently at the Cadillac repair center for this shifting issue and it has been diagnosed to need a valve cover replacement to solve the problem. My point is I have the exact problem listed in the recall and the exact repair listed on gm’s bulletin is the solution. Now I have to pay for the repair because my vin is not specifically listed yet but my year, make and model and problem and the solution is all listed . I know I’m apart of this recall please help me
NHTSA complaint #11683316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fishers, IN
ENGINE
valve body failed and was supposedly repaired. I had the car 1 day and valve body failed again. My car has been in the shop since November 4, 2024 with no estimated time of repair because no parts are available. I was told they would replace the transmission. That has not happened yet. No parts available. My car has been disable for 6 months.
NHTSA complaint #11655109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Griffin, GA
SUSPENSION
Engine and transmission for the second time in 90 days apart. Supposedly be a new part. I don’t think so.
NHTSA complaint #11586038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Griffin, GA
ENGINE
Engine and transmission for the second time in 90 days apart. Supposedly be a new part. I don’t think so.
NHTSA complaint #11586038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
STEERING
While driving the power steering was lost. The the auto hold function lit up. The collision warning light lit up. The stabilitrak system lit up. The air bag safety system lit up. Steering became very hard and made for y safe driving. Later that day 01-22-24, all warning light went out and power steering was normal.
NHTSA complaint #11567425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving the power steering was lost. The the auto hold function lit up. The collision warning light lit up. The stabilitrak system lit up. The air bag safety system lit up. Steering became very hard and made for y safe driving. Later that day 01-22-24, all warning light went out and power steering was normal.
NHTSA complaint #11567425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving the power steering was lost. The the auto hold function lit up. The collision warning light lit up. The stabilitrak system lit up. The air bag safety system lit up. Steering became very hard and made for y safe driving. Later that day 01-22-24, all warning light went out and power steering was normal.
NHTSA complaint #11567425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, MI
TIRES:SIDEWALL
235 40 80 run flat Both front and rear passenger tires no damage to rim less that 10k miles
NHTSA complaint #11470678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.