Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | 143,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 15% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% | 47,000 miles |
| 2011 | 23 | 23% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 16 | 24% | 89,000 miles |
| 2009 | 13 | 8% | 61,000 miles |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% | 59,000 miles |
| 2007 | 64 | 29% | 82,000 miles |
| 2006 | 87 | 32% | 64,000 miles |
| 2005 | 74 | 27% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 12% | 41,000 miles |
| 2003 | 36 | 12% | 102,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Cadillac CTS. While driving 21 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into a tree. The front driver side air bag failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the contact, causing his head to make contact with the dashboard. After the crash, all the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact suffered injuries to the head, neck, and knees, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
I noticed that on the dash a message that service is needed on one of the airbags. I then scheduled appointment to have the problem corrected. I was informed by the dealership' service department that I need a passenger airbag replacement on the passenger side of the car, and they also informed me that GM no longer manufactures the airbag that I need. I was not given any assistance on how to replace this safety feature in the car, nor was I notified by the manufacturer that airbag was discontinued.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the contact crashed into a deer which caused an air bag deployment message; the air bags were not deployed. The contact stated only an odd smelling powder emitted from the air bag location. The contact sustained bruising in torso, and swelling in eyes due to powder; medical attention was not sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to local tow lot where it was diagnosed with being destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the front passenger's side air bag had failed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,273.
Recaro seat sensor failure, causing passenger air bag system inoperable for the passenger side, it appears this a very common problem, the dealer states that they have replaced a lot of these in the past, but GM no longer has any available, cannot find one anywhere in the country (USA), the safety concern is if involved in an accident the passenger is not protected, the dealer has confirmed this is the problem thru diagnostics, have contacted manufacture and they have confirmed no parts available for a repair, service air bag system message and air bag light on intermittently numerous time while driving, first appeared within approx. 2 days after purchased used on 03-17-2022
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the "Service Air Bags" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Airbag warning light and Service Air Bag on dash. Code B0087-00 Left Rear SIS. Replaced sensor, still getting warning. Sensor is in LR door. Research revealed possible known issue with bending fatigue from routine door open/close motion and subpar wire size/material causing wire failure. Opened wire harness at pillar and green/black wire was completely separated at typical bending point. Light blue wire was not visibly broken (insulation still intact) but the wire within was broken upon removal of insulation. These are the two wires (light blue and green/black) to the impact sensor. Please investigate GM use of substandard or undersize wiring in entire SRS system especially at bending fatigue potential failure points. …
Related recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about March 15, 2011.
Air bags › Frontal
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…
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 .
Air bags
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold.If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger…
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac CTS years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (87), 2005 (74), 2007 (64), 2003 (36) and 2004 (26) model years. Airbag complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Cadillac CTS airbag problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 26V-329 (inflator module, May 21, 2026); 14V-341 (air bags, Jun 19, 2014); 10V-644 (sensor/control module-inactive, Dec 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac CTS airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (30 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (22).
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.