2020 Cadillac CT5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Cadillac CT5: 4 recalls, 39 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes Vehicle recall #20V588000 · 2020 · 3,677 vehicles
What's wrong: Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system May cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
Why it matters: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V611000 · 2021 · 34,157 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #22V903000 · 2022 · 740,108 vehicles
What's wrong: The daytime running lights (drls) May not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Drls that do not deactivate as intended May result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #25V148000 · 2025 · 90,081 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission May become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
Why it matters: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (8), warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (3).
- Other / unknown (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are door / lock issues (4), warning light on (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Engine (7): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2020 Cadillac CT5 has 39 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 CT5 model years for complaints (2.5× the average CT5 year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 12,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2021 (29 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Cadillac CT5.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2020 Cadillac CT5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Cadillac CT5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Cadillac CT5 problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (15), other / unknown (11), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Cadillac CT5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S10)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Cadillac CT5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.