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Engine & cooling

2020 Cadillac CT5 Engine problems

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac CT5's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 22% of all its complaints, most recently on October 30, 2026. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

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 Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11774793
Engine & coolingElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had noticed an oil leak and that the battery charge was abnormally low. The contact received an alert from OnStar pertaining to the critically low battery. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was an abnormal squishing sound coming from the dashboard, and the contact believed that the sound was coming from an animal that had intruded into the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a tire center where all four TPMS sensors were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11705360
Engine & cooling

The contact's son owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the engine oil was abnormally low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 14,466.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11700097
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the message "Reduced Power" was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle off the highway and then to the residence. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and saw several warning...

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lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact was able to clear the codes, and then the vehicle was driven to a dealer. The dealer checked and saw that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train) and proceeded to reflash the Power Control Module and install the transmission monitoring software. The vehicle was repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the rear wheels had locked up and which indicated transmission damage. The dealer performed the recall repair and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact was advised that the engine was leaking engine oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the oil leak failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that there was no assistance that could be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11697874
Transmission & drivetrainWheels & tiresEngine & cooling

Two separate issues: One is being sold a vehicle with a Certified vehicle at 12K miles with a defective, faulty transmission which is a manufacturer defect from General Motors. 10-speed automatic transmission 10L90 model. Misrepresentation of a product. False advertisement of a product. Failure to disclose. Gross negligence. Unethical & Illegal business practices. Dealer & manufacturer fraud. Second issue: When Valve body was replaced on the vehicle, the service manager of the dealership test drove the vehicle...

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with me in the passenger seat on the highway. The vehicle was still not shifting or accelerating correctly even after the valve body replacement. The vehicle began to shake, jerk and rumble on the test drive. The vehicle drove worse. The service manager and I took the vehicle back to the dealership and he found that two of the wheels, on the passenger side, are now bent. That is how the bent wheels were discovered. Not from inspection. Previous multipoint inspection and diagnosis shows the wheels were not bent before I brought the car into the dealership for mechanical work. I can attest to the fact that my wheels were not bent before service and this obvious shaking of the car was not previously existent. The dealership denies liability for this issue and is now refusing to replace the wheels after I have offered to pay. Dealership service manager told me it was safe to drive the vehicle with two bent wheels and I strongly disagree with that statement and so has my insurance company. It is very questionable as to why the service manager would make such a statement. The dealership told me to call other GM dealerships to have the wheels replaced. They refused to do the work as well. I am seeking the proper resolution in this situation.

Filed Incident Power train · Wheels · EngineNHTSA 11681133
Transmission & drivetrainWheels & tiresEngine & cooling

Major safety Concern Faulty valve body and transmission dealership failed to disclose. Service manager drove vehicle with bent wheels. That is how the bent wheels were discovered. Not from inspection. Wheels evidently bent under dealership possession. 2020 Cadillac CT5 Vehicle financed at 12K Miles with certified pre owned, bumper to bumper, and powertrain warranties in February 2024 showed poor driving, shifting, acceleration and abnormal behaviors such as slow and delayed shifting/acceleration, loud shifting,...

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jerking, and strange noises from the vehicle and low power. There were very suspicious mechanical issues wrong with the car in which the dealership told me that there isn't anything wrong with the car, with the understanding that if anything was ever wrong with the vehicle it has been fixed. I was ensured and promised that the car does not have anything wrong with it and that it goes through inspection and diagnostics, that the vehicle cannot be sold without being tested, fixed of any problems and brought to standard. I brought this to the attention of the salesman, owner, financial advisor, service advisor, service manager. I requested a full buyback and replacement of my 2020 CT5. My dealership let me know that they still want me to pay for the valve body, battery, ambient air temperature sensor and rear parking brake motor. I had to call Cadillac corporate/General Motors to have the valve body covered & rear bumper covered/replaced. I was brought into the dealership office and was told that the buyback and replacement was denied by General Motors even though my car was showing symptoms of a defective valve body ever since I financed the car. These things were being ignored by the dealership service department. Laggy and rough acceleration as well as shifting. Strange vibrations and noises coming from the car. Slow moving and the shifting was very jerky and abnormal. The shifting was also very loud and took long times to shift 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 gears.

Filed Incident Power train · Wheels · EngineNHTSA 11681128
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I've owned 2 ct5 each one had their turbos go out at 55k miles each and valves bodies that need replacing around 70k for each vehicle

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11676351
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Safety Concerns and Defects: I am reporting several safety-related defects in my 2020 Cadillac CT5, which have posed serious risks to me and my family: ⸻ 1. Transmission Pump Failure: •The transmission pump failed, causing loss of power and jerking while driving at highway speeds. This occurred on[[redacted]] in Georgia with my two small children in the car, putting us at high risk of a crash. •No warning lights appeared, and the failure was diagnosed by the dealer (Hennessey Cadillac). 2. EVAP System Failure...

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(P0451): •A fuel tank pressure sensor malfunctioned, triggering a check engine light shortly after purchase. This affects emissions and presents a fire risk due to potential fuel vapor leaks. •The issue was confirmed by the dealer. 3. Camshaft Solenoid Failure (P0027): •A camshaft solenoid failure was repaired by the dealer, but was not disclosed to me at purchase. •This could have caused engine stalling or hesitation. ⸻ Has the Issue Been Confirmed? •Yes, all issues have been confirmed by the dealership. The vehicle has been returned for repairs, and I can provide diagnostic and repair records. ⸻ Safety Risk and Urgency: The transmission failure almost caused a serious accident on a highway. These defects present imminent safety risks that need investigation. I believe other owners may face similar issues. ⸻ Request for NHTSA Action: Please investigate these defects in the 2020 Cadillac CT5, particularly the transmission pump failure, EVAP system, and engine stalling risks. Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11654080
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

this vehicle has had multiple check engine failures it has been in for service six times in a matter of months. In September I had Service Traction control/StabiliTrack lights come on and the car losses of engine power. I had it serviced again in October for the same issue it was at the dealership for 20 days all they did was clear the code and drove it 38 miles, including the technician driving it home to see if the issue could be duplicated. After the 20th day they advised me to pick up my vehicle and return it...

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when the light were actively on. I expressed to them as well as GM that I felt unsafe driving my vehicle this way as it is a great danger to my safety when the car looses power. I drive up/down a canyon as early as 3am I went from speeds of 80mph drooped down to 20-25mph due to this failure. Today I have another check engine light on the vehicle. I dont feel safe driving this vehicle at all!

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11560832

Cadillac CT5 engine complaints by year

CT5 engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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