Before you buy
This 2021 Cadillac Ct5 has 19 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2021 Cadillac Ct5 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2021 Cadillac Ct5 trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2021 Cadillac Ct5 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Cadillac CT5 4 DR AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
CADILLAC CT5 2021 has 19 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Electrical faults lead with 7 reports, followed by structural problems (3). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- Ct5
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 28
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2021 Cadillac Ct5 problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Structural Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Structural Problems, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2021 Cadillac Ct5?
The 2021 CT5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the electrical complaint pattern warrants caution. Pre-purchase inspection and recall verification are essential.
Electrical faults can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns, while structural issues may affect long-term durability.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize modern features and are willing to perform thorough due diligence.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking maximum reliability and minimal service visits should consider other model years or alternatives.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2021 Cadillac Ct5
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical system including infotainment and wiring harnesses.
- Check for structural integrity, especially around body panels and frame.
- Verify airbag system functionality and recall status.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical system for known faults.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Cadillac Ct5, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Cadillac CT5 has 19 complaints and 4 recalls. Electrical faults dominate with 7 reports, followed by structural problems (3) and airbag malfunctions (2). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Only one model year (2021) was analyzed, so no year-over-year comparison is available.
Recall context: With 4 recalls, verifying all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls is critical before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 7 of 19 total complaints.
- Structural problems are the second most reported issue with 3 complaints.
- There are 4 recalls for the 2021 model year.
- Electrical Faults (7 complaints)
- Structural Problems (3 complaints)
- Airbag Malfunctions (2 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2021 Cadillac Ct5 complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac Ct5. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac Ct5. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
We own a 2021 Cadillac CT5 that we bought used in 2024 from Sewell Cadillac in Houston, Texas. During our first year of ownership, and while still under warranty, we started having intermittent issues with the rear doors. At times, one or the other rear doors would only open from…
The door(s) would not open from the outside. I had the driver side door handle replaced first - took weeks for the part to come in - this was a safety issue because I had to climb through the passenger side to open the driver side door. (the key entry would not work either) Aft…
I've had my driver side door handle switch replaced beacuse it was faulty and I could not get into my car through the driver side. Now I am having the same issue with the passanger side. In a case of an emergeny if I can not get into my car I fear for my or my passanger's safety.…
While driving on a very busy highway going downhill when suddenly the vehicle started feeling abnormal like it was going to turn off automatically, heard an abnormal grinding noise coming from the engine the vehicle dropped speed drastically and the check engine light turned on …
Exterior driver side door handle will not open the door causing issues with ingress into vehicle.
The passive door locks on the handles to the car do not work. The electronic sensor to unlock the car does not work due to misalignment of the pin that is supposed to press the key. This is a widely known issue on 2020-2021 Cadillac ct5 vehicles. This eventually results in total …
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 42 MPH – 66 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and shuddered while shifting gears. The cause of the fa…
Car interior smelled like gas when the car is started. but seemed to clear while driving. Found that the Fuel hose between the pipe and the fuel intake was leaking when the car initially started. You could smell the odor when the hood was raised. This is the Pipe and Hose that…
The exterior door handle latch release switch fails to open the door. This issue happened to all 4 exterior doors. The problem starts with intermittently, then progresses to complete failure. Once it fails, the entire door handle needs to be replaced. If all 4 doors fail, the …
Beginning of 2025 my drivers side door handle would not open from the outside of the car only the inside . I took it to a certified Cadillac dealer which they had to replace the door handle . Now July 10, 2025 my front passenger side is doing the same thing and I will not have to…
My 2025 Cadillac CT5 was stationary at a red light behind a red truck when a black truck traveling in the opposite direction struck the truck head-on. The red truck was pushed backward into the front of my CT5 with enough force to cause major front-end damage. Despite this, no ai…
aste): The vehicle has a serious pulling issue while driving, which was not corrected with alignment and poses a safety risk. Additionally, the windshield was scratched by faulty wiper blades that impaired visibility — the dealer later reimbursed me. Lastly, the driver-side runn…
Currently my passenger door and my rear driver side door do not open from the outside. I already had to have my driver side door handle replaced for the same issue, now three out of four of my handles have failed. If an accident were to occur no one would be able to access the pa…
Service transmission message showed up on dash. Dealer stated after performance test found P17A5 code for shift control. The dealer stated that the gear shift assembly needed to be replaced and if not, that the car could get stuck in gear which I feel is a safety risk. My vehicl…
Driver Side door handle stops working. Because the door handle operates with a sensor and not a standard pull door handle something is being affected and it will not open door. Causing safety issue and not being able to enter car normally.
When approaching a stopping vehicle the brake pedal became extremely hard to press and I could not brake enough to stop and had a collision. Come to find out that the ABS computer and the main ECU weren't communicating correctly which turned off the assisted braking, assisted ste…
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 72 MPH, there was a loud noise inside the cabin. The contact became aware that the sunroof had shattered without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or…
BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES SPLIT AT THE SEAM PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AT RISK. TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP - BOMMARITO CADILLAC ST. PETERS MISSOURI BOMMARITO CADIALLAC ST. PETERS MISSOURI ALSO INFORMED ME GM HAS INSTRUCTED TO NO LONGER …
There was no indication that the Automatic Braking System, Air Bags and Seatbelts were not working properly. In August 12, 2021, I was in an auto accident where I rear-ended another dodge car. The air bags did not deploy and Onstar was not notified. I believe I hit the steerin…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Cadillac Ct5.
Safety recalls
2021 Cadillac Ct5 recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Cadillac Ct5. With 4 recalls, verifying all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls is critical before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2021 Cadillac Ct5 buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Cadillac Ct5 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 19 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 CT5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the electrical complaint pattern warrants caution. Pre-purchase inspection and recall verification are essential. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Cadillac Ct5?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (7 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (3 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (2 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Cadillac Ct5?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Cadillac Ct5?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Cadillac Ct5, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 19 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Cadillac Ct5 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Cadillac Ct5. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN. With 4 recalls, verifying all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls is critical before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Cadillac Ct5?▾
The 2021 CT5 may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the electrical complaint pattern warrants caution. Pre-purchase inspection and recall verification are essential. Electrical faults can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns, while structural issues may affect long-term durability. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Cadillac Ct5 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.