Most common 2021 Cadillac CT4 problems
Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac CT4 complaints by model year
2021 Cadillac CT4 recalls (4)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
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.
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.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain
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.
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.
Air bags › SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag…
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Cadillac CT4:
Air Bag Malfunction
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).
What 2021 Cadillac CT4 owners say
Engine & cooling
While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate, life-threatening hazard as I was left stranded and blocking high-speed freeway traffic. Only after the mechanical failure occurred did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was towed to Cadillac Dealership. The service department confirmed that the vehicle suffered from the known defective transmission control valve covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V148. …
valve body failed and was supposedly repaired. I had the car 1 day and valve body failed again. My car has been in the shop since November 4, 2024 with no estimated time of repair because no parts are available. I was told they would replace the transmission. That has not happened yet. No parts available. My car has been disable for 6 months.
2021 Cadillac CT4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 23 / 34 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 23 / 32 / 26 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 10-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 10-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Cadillac CT4 a good car?
That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. So far owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Cadillac CT4?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (2) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac CT4 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2021 Cadillac CT4, the most recent from March 6, 2025 (automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.