The contact owned a 2007 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving 40-43 MPH, a bicyclist suddenly pulled in front of the vehicle. The contact veered away from the bicyclist, causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole. The utility pole was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy, and the contact hit the chest and head against the steering wheel. The contact immediately went to the hospital and was provided medical assistance. The contact sustained contusions on the chest and on the head, and the contact sustained bruises on the left and right legs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 71,000.
Cadillac CTS no deployment problems
66 of the 2,220 owner complaints about the Cadillac CTS describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 66
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 62,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 7Brake failure 4Airbag light 4Sudden acceleration 3Steering lock-up 2Tire blowout 1Fuel gauge 1
What owners say
Airbags did not deploy in a massive front end collision. That failure caused me physical injury which possibly would not have occurred had the airbags deployed. I don’t know how many 2008 Cadillac CTS are on the road at this time but feel it is an important enough matter that should be investígated. This was never recalled. Thank you, [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving on a windy mountain road at approx 45 MPH, going into a sharp left hand turn, the steering wheel would not turn any further. It felt as though the steering had gone out completely. This caused me to travel straight into an embankment and launch into the woods. No injuries. Air bags did not deploy. Radiator was bent into a u shape. No idea why none of the airbags didn't deploy
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while the driver drove at an unknown speed, she applied the brakes to avoid hitting an animal as a result the vehicle swerved, rolling over several times. The contact stated that no air bags deployed as and the driver's seat belt became unlatched as the driver was ejected through the rear window. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated while the failure occurred. The driver sustained a coma, broken vertebra, hip contusion, bruising and memory loss as she was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The front passenger suffered hip, chest, breast, waist, arms, shoulder, head injuries as well as the rear driver's side passenger sustained chest, hip, and nose injuries all occupants were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact was reading the accident information from a news paper article. The new mexico state police was present and a police report was filed. The fire department was also present. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 114,000.
I was involved in a crash that when hit the vehicle turned off and airbags did not work. I was hit twice on driver rear and passenger rear, spun out and no airbags deployed. I was crossing over a city road from a stop sign, was hit at 60 MPH. I was doing 20 MPH going straight across from the stop sign.
Takata recall had wreck air bag did not deploy at the time it should have, rush in ambulance to hospital car was on highway going straight,
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 cadillac cts. While stopped, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning and crashed into multiple vehicles. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had no reported failures. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. While the contact's vehicle was parked with the engine running, a second vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to suburban cadillac (1810 maplelawn dr, troy, mi 48084, 248‑643‑0070), but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. While driving 35 MPH, the brakes malfunctioned. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop and rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. Bentley cadillac in florence, alabama 35630 was made aware of the crash and stated that an inspector would inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall for the brakes or the air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 cadillac cts. While driving out of the parking lot, the vehicle stalled and abruptly shut down. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 21, 2026.
Recall number 26V329000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
- Risk
- If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
Recall number 14V341000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the front passenger seat may cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat. If this occurs, the sensor may not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.
- Risk
- Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about march 15, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V644000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 12,662 my 2009 cadillac cts vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' under certain conditions, a software condition within the passenger sensing system may disable the front passenger air bag when it should be enabled or enable it when it should be disabled.
- Risk
- In a vehicle crash, if the front passenger air bag does not operate as designed, increased personal injury could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing system module free of charge. The recall began on november 18, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V582000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, an interaction between the sensing and diagnostic module and vehicle's electrical system may cause the driver's frontal air bag and/or roof-mounted side impact air bag to deploy when the ignition key is turned to the "on" position.
- Risk
- A person positioned for driving may receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The recall began on may 20, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339.
Recall number 05V024000 · Recall details
Questions about the Cadillac CTS no deployment
Which Cadillac CTS years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (12 complaints), 2007 (12 complaints) and 2005 (11 complaints).
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