Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

1 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Exterior lighting recall

Fixed over the airRecall 22V903000 · Dec 2022

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.
Status
Corrected automatically through an over-the-air software update.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

12 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
6

Most reports here involve transmission slipping.

transmission slipping 4unintended acceleration 1sudden stalling 1
A recent report: While driving my 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing in an active traffic lane, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion. I was unable to maintain movement with traffic, and the…
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While driving my 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing in an active traffic lane, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion. I was unable to maintain movement with traffic, and the vehicle became disabled in the roadway. The failure occurred without sufficient warning for me to safely remove the vehicle from active traffic. This created a serious safety hazard because the sudden loss of propulsion exposed me and other motorists to the risk of a rear-end or other collision. This incident is particularly concerning because the vehicle has experienced multiple catastrophic engine failures. The vehicle has experienced four engine failures and is currently at an authorized Cadillac dealership undergoing installation of a fifth engine. The vehicle previously spent approximately 157 days at an authorized Cadillac dealership during an extended repair period. Despite extensive repairs and engine replacement, the vehicle subsequently experienced additional engine failure. As of September 3, 2026, the vehicle remains at Suburban Cadillac of Plymouth and has not been returned to me. The current repair involves installation of another replacement engine. My concern is that repeated engine replacements have not corrected the underlying reliability and safety problem. A vehicle that can suddenly lose propulsion while being driven in active traffic presents a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA has a record of the loss-of-propulsion incident, the repeated engine failures, and the multiple engine replacements involving this 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761978 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: Entire electrical and safety systems, every light on dashboard was lit up, all kinds of safety warning light were on! Because manufacturer uses plant-based materials to wrap wiring, it caused an…
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Entire electrical and safety systems, every light on dashboard was lit up, all kinds of safety warning light were on! Because manufacturer uses plant-based materials to wrap wiring, it caused an infestation of rodents that had a snack on my wiring! I could have been in real safety danger had I been on the highway!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11593927 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 1loss of steering 1
A recent report: Incident Overview: A Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ tire (DOT 5323) experienced a catastrophic internal structural failure during normal driving on a wet roadway. The tire had approximately…
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Incident Overview: A Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ tire (DOT 5323) experienced a catastrophic internal structural failure during normal driving on a wet roadway. The tire had approximately 50% tread remaining and was 1–1.5 years old. Failure Description: Inspection indicates internal belt/carcass separation originating within the tire structure, leading to rapid pressure loss and rupture. No road hazard or external impact was present. Crash Sequence: The failure caused immediate loss of control, vehicle yaw, roadway departure, and multiple impacts (frontal and lateral). The driver airbag deployed, confirming measurable crash force. Injuries: - Aggravation of pre-existing back condition (surgery required) - Hip labral tear and bone spur (surgery required) - Neck and shoulder pain Conclusion: The initiating event was a premature internal structural tire failure, not driver negligence or external hazard.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731179 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: The lane departure didn’t work as expected to avoid a crash. I was hurt and bruised due to the air bags never deployed after hit on right wheel number flew off causing my to go into 5 guard rails …
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The lane departure didn’t work as expected to avoid a crash. I was hurt and bruised due to the air bags never deployed after hit on right wheel number flew off causing my to go into 5 guard rails . The whole front end was destroyed into pieces “no airbags” I’m lucky to be alive. It was inspected by police and my insurance company consider it total loss.nothing before or after the impact

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11676071 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: Driver Door continue to not open. You must remove key cover off handle and manually open door with key or roll down all windows with Keyfob to reach in to open doors

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11709101 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 12 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2022 and 2026, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2023 has 12 complaints on file, more than the 2022 (11). Of the 4 model years of the Cadillac CT5 we cover, the 2020 has the most (38). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.