Total brake system failure. Lost almost all brake function nearly causing an accident. June 17, 2026 car was taken to dealership. Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), Brake Master Cylinder, Brake Pedal Retainer replacement required. August 7, 2026 received a call from dealer stating that EBCM replacement was faulty or failed. August 26, 2026 Contacted GM to ask for inclusion in recall 20V588000. Was refused inclusion. 70 days out of service and was forced to sell vehicle due to safety concern, extended repair schedule and cost of a vehicle I could not use. Two EBCM replacements and vehicle is still out of service as of August 26, 2026.
The worst 2020 Cadillac CT4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Airbags1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Airbags1
- Fuel system1
Recalls 4
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.
Recall number 25V148000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V‑827.
Recall number 22V903000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.
Recall number 21V611000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
- Risk
- If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, or Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
Recall number 20V588000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2020 Cadillac CT4
Defect investigations
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) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.
PE21010
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Cadillac CT4 888
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Special Coverage
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent...
- This PI advises of a procedure for a Service Door Latch System message with No Related DTCs
- Unknown or other
- This PI Communicates information to ensure Memory Recall is enabled to ensure memory mirrors return to set...
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
- The document advise technicians after an engine repair involving removal of the camshaft actuators, the...
What 2020 Cadillac CT4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
69,000 mile oil change I was told i needed to spend thousands of dollars on repairing an oil leak b/c my Cam carrier is leaking. Cadillac has a know issue with this repair and refuses to stand behind it's product. Numerous complaints already on forums and yet they charge thousands to fix. A top name brand that can't produce a vehicle past 69000 miles without a major issue. I wanted to make it known about the ongoing issue by Cadillac. So sad.
I had two incidents with the Cadillac CT-4 in February and then again in April of 2026 of driving on I-75 at a highway speed of about 70 MPH when the vehicle suddenly downshifted and the engine revving at at very high RPM. The vehicle slowed down suddenly and it felt for a moment that I could not control the speed. The check engine light was on and the diagnostic indicated a transmission/engineer problem and to take in to service within a day. Both incidents in February and April felt the same. Both times I pulled over to the shoulder to shut the engine. I waited and in February it restarted without the engineer revving high. In April, it still revved high. When I took it to Ed Morse Cadillac in [XXX] in February 28, they indicated that it was a water pump failure and they replaced the water pump. I expressed that it was odd that a water pump could affect the vehicle engineer/transmission like it did when engine overheating is usually a warning of a water pump problem. The Odometer was at 73000 just over the 70000 warranty and Cadillac HQ agreed to pay for the repair. However, I continued to have the transmission problem or check engine light problem. I took it back several more times for the check engine light and even paid for a diagnostic. Ultimately, I had the same sudden downshift high engine rev on May 6th and brought it to the Brandon Cadillac again. This time they gave me a loaner and kept the car for a week and told me it was the transmission and that the core component would need to be replaced. The bill was for $4,449.83 for the repair on May 20, 2026. This time Cadillac HQ would not cover the repair even though there were other Cadiilacs with similar transmission issues. The Caddillac HQ Case Number is #XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The electronic brake control module, break retainer, brake master cylinder and brake valve all failed. I was driving to lunch and coming down a hill when multiple warning lights turned on as I pressed the brakes. I had almost no braking power as I approached a stop sign that lets you enter a highway almost causing me to drive through the stop sign and into cross traffic. I had enough bearings to down shift it and slow it down enough to stop. If I have went through the stop sign, it could have been a fatal accident. The vehicle is at a GM dealership currently with all active codes and faulty equipment. I contacted GM and tried to get some help with this issue and they refuse to help since it is not on the recall list. There is a recall on these exact same parts on the exact same vehicle, GM said its VIN specific. The problem is still current. This vehicle is a major safety risk that obviously should have been included in the recall. There was no warning or no symptoms of this issue until the failure in the moment.
The vehicle shudders and loses power when accelerating fast. My wife almost got hit when she pulled out in traffic the car stalled out. It is due to the cylinder deactivation (afm).
Right rear brake light is out. There is a lot of moisture in the tail light causing the lights to corrode and go out
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac CT4. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, on several occasions, the vehicle failed to accelerate, hesitated, and then stalled. The vehicle was towed on three occasions to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. There were no DTC codes retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac CT4. The contact stated that the "Service Safety Restraint System" message was displayed on the instrument panel while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not yet being available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
Compare the 2020 Cadillac CT4
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Questions about the 2020 Cadillac CT4
Is the 2020 Cadillac CT4 reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac CT4, close to a typical CT4 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Cadillac CT4?
Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac CT4 have?
4 recalls, covering power train, exterior lighting and air bags.
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