This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Safety risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT MAY NOT BE TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS NOT TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Safety risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE AND a vehicle CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
CADILLAC DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT, AND IF NECESSARY, TORQUE THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system
9
28,400 mi
Exterior lighting
9
27,000 mi
Suspension
8
70,000 mi
Service brakes
7
20,000 mi
Air bags
6
20,000 mi
Engine
6
28,837 mi
Vehicle speed control
6
55,000 mi
Unknown or other
5
55,000 mi
Steering
4
27,000 mi
Structure: body
4
8,500 mi
Power train
3
65,300 mi
Traction control system
2
6,050 mi
Air bags: side/window
1
47,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
80 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
30,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
35,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
65,318 mi
Seat belts
1
20,000 mi
Seats
1
—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light
1
50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
130,000 mi
Structure: body: door
1
60,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
1
11,000 mi
Wheels
1
90,000 mi
Wheels: rim
1
50,000 mi
The 2011 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.