Component/system involved: Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system and EPB control switch on my Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The vehicle and component are currently available for inspection. What happened / safety risk: The vehicle experienced an unattended roll-away and struck a tree, causing significant vehicle damage. No one was injured, but the vehicle’s uncontrolled movement created a risk of serious injury or property damage. Reproducibility: After the incident, I discovered that I can reproduce a behavior in which the electronic parking brake is released and, if I actuate the EPB switch again shortly afterward to reapply the parking brake, the vehicle sometimes does not respond to that second input. The parking brake remains released and the expected parking-brake indication does not appear. If I wait longer and actuate the switch again, the parking brake applies normally. I have video showing this behavior. The issue has not yet been evaluated or confirmed by a Cadillac dealer. Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected in connection with the collision/insurance claim, but the EPB behavior has not yet been evaluated by Cadillac/GM or an independent service center. I intend to have Cadillac evaluate it. Warnings/symptoms: I did not observe a warning lamp, error message, or other indication that the EPB system had a fault before the incident. After the incident, I discovered the reproducible behavior described above. During an unsuccessful rapid reapplication, there is no apparent indication that the EPB has applied. Possible cause: UNKNOWN. I do not know whether this EPB behavior caused the incident. I am reporting it because I can reproduce a condition in which an apparent driver command to apply the electronic parking brake shortly after releasing it does not result in the parking brake being applied. I believe this warrants investigation to determine whether this is normal programmed behavior, a software/control issue, or a defect.
The worst 2026 Cadillac CT5 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Driver assistance4
- Acceleration2
- Brakes2
- Electrical1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Driver assistance4
- Acceleration2
- Brakes2
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
- Risk
- Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑866‑467‑9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 26, 2026.
Recall number 26V114000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2026 Cadillac CT5 115
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Certain vehicles, equipped with the Precision Package, may be missing the supplementary performance toe...
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path...
- This update contains a required software change to help improve the overall software update and...
2026 Cadillac CT5 crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC CT5 4 DR N/A AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CADILLAC CT5 4 DR N/A RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CADILLAC CT5 WITH V6 4 DR N/A AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| CADILLAC CT5 WITH V6 4 DR N/A RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| CADILLAC CT5-V BLACKWING 4 DR N/A RWD | Phrases 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. | 5 | 5 |
2026 Cadillac CT5 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | RWD | 22 | 31 | 26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 21 | 30 | 24 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18-19 | 27-28 | 21-22 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | AWD | 17-18 | 26-27 | 20-21 |
| 6.2L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 20 | 15 |
What 2026 Cadillac CT5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE & CONCEALED SOFTWARE REPAIR: Within 14 days of vehicle delivery, a 2026 Cadillac CT5 experienced a complete failure of its heavily advertised Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) driver-assistance technology. While reversing at a safe, low speed toward a full-sized stationary vehicle, the system failed to detect the obstacle, issued zero visual/audible warnings, and failed to apply automatic braking, resulting in an unmitigated collision ($2,800 physical damage). SUBSEQUENT OEM CONCEALMENT & SOFTWARE FLASH: The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership (Wallace Cadillac). While in dealer custody, onboard vehicle logs confirm that GM Update 661.10 was flashed to the vehicle's modules on June 8th. GM Corporate and the dealership subsequently claimed no repairs or updates were performed, stating the system tested "fully functional" on June 13th (after the undisclosed software patch was applied). GM Executive Management (Case #103080717 / PAC Case #101155599) has repeatedly refused to provide written diagnostic findings or supply the owner with the Event Data Recorder (EDR) telemetry logs as requested under the Driver Privacy Act of 2015, communicating denials strictly via telephone to avoid a paper trail. This issue directly correlates with ongoing federal investigations into GM electronic brake control module failures. The failure of active safety collision-avoidance systems poses an immediate, severe safety risk to vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
Adaptive Cruise control acts like it’s going to maintain a gap (user selectable gap distance is able to be manipulated and displayed on drivers information center) but will rush right onto a preceding cars bumper. I’m told that even though manual transmission cars have the components and illusion that adaptive cruise control works, it doesn’t which is bad if you think it will work. Please make adaptive cruise control work in manual transmission CT5s like it does in auto. Similarly, the Surround Video Recorder equipment is installed but doesn’t record and isn’t viewable. Please make that function as well. Again, all of the hardware is there - implement it!
While driving vehicle at approximately 50 mph in normal driving conditions, the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking/forward collision system activated an alert when a vehicle ahead of me slowed and turned out of my lane. After the lane was fully clear and there was no obstacle in front of the vehicle, the system aggressively braked and brought the car completely to a stop on the highway. During the event, the vehicle temporarily would not respond to accelerator input even while pressing the gas pedal. This created an extremely dangerous situation and nearly resulted in a high-speed rear-end collision. No crash occurred, but if a larger vehicle such as a semi-truck had been behind me, serious injury or death could have resulted. I am reporting this as a potential false automatic emergency braking / phantom braking event. Vehicle is a rental, history unknown…
Catastrophic engine failure within 700 miles Requires full engine replacement Problems began around 150 miles on odometer Message: Reduced accelerated speed Check engine light Service transmission system Service variable valve timing system
The contact owns a 2026 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle with the Super Cruise feature activated, the message indicated a road construction zone, and the brakes independently activated. The contact stated that there was no road construction nearby. The contact reset the super cruise control feature. The contact stated that while the super cruise control was set at 75 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 100 MPH within seconds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was awaiting scheduling information. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to cease using the cruise control feature until the vehicle was inspected by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Compare the 2026 Cadillac CT5
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Questions about the 2026 Cadillac CT5
Is the 2026 Cadillac CT5 reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2026 Cadillac CT5, fewer than a typical CT5 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Cadillac CT5?
Driver assistance and stability, with 4 complaints. Next is acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 Cadillac CT5 have?
1 recall, covering equipment.
Is the 2026 Cadillac CT5 safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2026 Cadillac CT5 scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (5 versions tested).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Cadillac CT5 get?
Official estimates for the 2026 Cadillac CT5 range from 15 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 22 city and 31 highway.
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