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2020 Cadillac CT5 problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is transmission and drivetrain. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical CT5 model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
63/100
Owner complaints
40
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
8982 warranty
Worst area
Transmission
Crash rating
5/5
Fuel economy
20-26mpg

The worst 2020 Cadillac CT5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    16
  • Engine
    9
  • Electrical
    8
  • Body
    5
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Cadillac CT5

Door locks 12Check engine light 7

Recalls 4

Power train: automatic transmissionReported March 6, 2025 · 90,081 vehicles affected
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: softwareReported December 8, 2022 · 740,108 vehicles affected
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: curtainReported August 5, 2021 · 34,157 vehicles affected
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 brakesReported September 24, 2020 · 3,677 vehicles affected
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 CT5

Defect investigations

Air Bag MalfunctionOpened April 9, 2021, closed August 24, 2023

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 CT5 898

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 898 bulletins for the 2020 Cadillac CT5

2020 Cadillac CT5 crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Cadillac CT5 4 DR AWD5555
Cadillac CT5 4 DR RWD5555
Cadillac CT5-V 4 DR AWDPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.55
Cadillac CT5-V 4 DR RWDPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.55

2020 Cadillac CT5 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylRWD233226
2.0L 4‑cylAWD213125
3.0L 6‑cylAWD17-182520-21
3.0L 6‑cylRWD18-192621

What 2020 Cadillac CT5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · TN

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The 10 speed transmission started get struck in gears while on the highway. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Yes Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Transmission needs service

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I am filing an urgent consumer safety complaint against Bert Ogden Cadillac in [XXX] for a severe federal safety recall violation. My 2020 Cadillac CT5 is experiencing catastrophic transmission failure, including severe slipping and violent pulling during acceleration. This creates an immediate risk of sudden highway drive-wheel lock-up as warned under active GM Recall N242480630.On XXX, I brought the vehicle to Bert Ogden Cadillac and explicitly raised the transmission recall. The service agent, Patty, dismissed the recall, illegally charged me a $252.71 diagnostic fee for an active safety campaign, and turned me away with an out-of-pocket repair estimate of $12,138.80, which I could not afford. The dealer's own written service notes explicitly state: "customer will come back for recall," proving no work was performed.However, the online GM portal shows that the dealership subsequently went into the national database behind my back and fraudulently reported this identical safety recall as "Completed" on XXX.I contacted Cadillac Corporate on XXX, and they opened an internal investigation under GM Case Number XXX. However, corporate management was hostile, questioned the safety defect connection despite the matching codes (12CDZSERTA and 98CDZXOLK), and actively refused to dispatch a corporate flatbed tow for this disabled safety hazard. I have already filed a deceptive trade practices case with the XXX Attorney General under case XXX. I require immediate federal intervention to compel General Motors to tow and repair this hazardous vehicle at zero cost as mandated by federal law. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Locks · 46,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and using the key fob to open the door, the door on the driver’s side failed to open. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with an exterior door handle failure on the driver’s side. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2026 · Body · MA

Electronic door hand on the drivers side completely stopped working, with little warning. This includes the proximity unlock feature and unlocking the car with the fob. If this were to have happened to all four doors at once, it would have been impossible to enter the car without breaking the glass. This is not safe.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · IN

There is some type of mechanical or electrical malfunction with the door locking system. I can not unlock or enter the car using the fan or by any mechanism from outside the car. This has left my fiance & infant trapped in the car. My fiance has to reach over and manually open the driver side door from inside the vehicle. However, I can no longer drive with only my infant in the car for fear she will be trapped inside.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Transmission · IN

Lockhart Cadillac Service Department committed warranty fraud by charging me on multiple occasions for repairs that should have been covered under GM/Cadillac 2025 Transmission Recall & Special Extended Warranties. The transmission has continued to deteriorate. I took the vehicle in on July 1, 2026 for recall service and was told it needed a valve body replacement. However, they are demanding again that I pay for it and refusing to submit it as a recall repair. They have had my vehicle 15 days and refuse to provide written documentation of actual diagnosis, TAC has not been submitted, they have not provided GM/Cadillac or myself with any written documentation as to why it wouldn’t be covered under warranty. They have not submitted the service history of the last 6 service repairs to GM/Cadillac as requested, nor have they offered me a courtesy vehicle or rental car compensation and virtually have left me stranded for 2 weeks.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · MS

The left passenger door will not open manually nor with key fob. It has caused me to not allow back seat passengers including grand children for fear if necessary to get out in an emergency and I am left to wonder if the driver door will go into lock position during a collision and that would be life threatening. I tried holding the lock and unlock at the same time for 3sec and that didn’t work. The dealership said it would cost around $800 or more to take the door off and try to find the problem and I would probably have to get a new door and try to match the paint. I really need help with this issue because I have less than 20,000 miles on my car. I have seen online that there’re many people dealing with this problem being it the back doors and some the front. These cars cost the customers a lot of money when purchasing them. I would greatly appreciate the issue being reviewed for recall repairs. Thanks

Filed May 26, 2026 · Transmission · NC

While driving my 2020 Cadillac CT5 at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous total loss of motive power. The transmission completely failed without warning, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard as I was forced to navigate across multiple active lanes of high-speed highway traffic without acceleration.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership. The technician's diagnostic inspection confirmed that the internal transmission pump drive gear completely shattered, sending catastrophic metal debris throughout the entire transmission system. The dealership has recommended a total transmission system replacement.This internal pump gear failure is a documented cascade consequence of a manufacturing defect in the Transmission Control Valve Body, which causes severe internal fluid pressure drops. This specific transmission defect is subject to GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and the federal safety agency Campaign Number 25V148 / GM Recall N242480630. The defective valve body starved the transmission of pressure, directly destroying the pump gear at highway speeds and putting my life in danger.

Filed May 12, 2026 · FL

The rear passenger driver side outside door handle stopped working about 3 days ago. I have three small grandchildren and if there is an accident or any other emergency I cannot open the back door to get them or anyone out of the vehicle to safety, which can lead to bodily harm or worse. I have already had the driver outside door handle replaced on March 18 2025 for the same problem. There should be a recall on the door handles to prevent the chance of bodily harm upon anyone. Also, to prevent this from happening again, the door handles could possibly be replaced with regular door handles. Thank you

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Locks · 70,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side and the front driver's side door latches failed to unlock from the outside. In addition, the front passenger's side door latch failed to unlatch from the inside. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side door handle, a failed passenger's side door handle, and the front passenger's side door latch. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door handle, the passenger's front door handle, and the front passenger's side door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the door indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed front passenger's side door latch and driver's front door latches. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door latch and the front passenger's side door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by an online forum to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2020 Cadillac CT5

Is the 2020 Cadillac CT5 reliable?

Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac CT5, 1.3 times a typical CT5 model year.

What is the 2020 Cadillac CT5 year score?

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 scores 63 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac CT5: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Cadillac CT5?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 16 complaints. Next is engine (9).

How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac CT5 have?

4 recalls, covering power train, exterior lighting and air bags.

Is the 2020 Cadillac CT5 safe in a crash?

In government crash tests the 2020 Cadillac CT5 scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (4 versions tested).

Was there a recall on the 2020 Cadillac CT5 transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 25V148000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Cadillac CT5 get?

Official estimates for the 2020 Cadillac CT5 range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 23 city and 32 highway.

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