3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,700 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Cadillac CTS lights problems

lights problem

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2012 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #9

May 032021

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was sent a letter about the recall and I sent it back saying I could not afford to pay up front. The sent another letter about the deadline and I sent back I could not afford to pay up front. I never got a response back. My lights are getting dimmer and can't see at night. This is a safety hazard that I didn't cause and should have been required to repair. I bought the vehicle used and have a few payments left. This is a safety issue and it's inconvenient. This need to be investigated.

- Adamsville, AL, USA

problem #8

May 142020

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
The head lamp has condensation and water built up in it causing the bulb to short out. The clear cover has become stained yellow rust color from the water.

- Chickasha, OK, USA

problem #7

Mar 022019

CTS

  • 68,000 miles
Both headlights on the vehicle have had to be replaced very recently (spring/summer) following a cold and harsh winter. We believe that the problem identified with the srx models extends to the Cts and perhaps other Cadillac models given the number on the street with a single headlight; however, Cadillac has denied our claim. The cost of repair of both headlights exceeded $600.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 282019

CTS

  • 65,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving heard clanking under the car for about 2 blocks then stoped. Took it to the dealer and found out 2 bolts had backed out of the drive shaft and one had sheared. Had the exact same problem with a 2011 Cts. I had purchased a warranty when I bought the car in 2018, car was repaired. I did notify Cadillac. Right front headlight has moisture. Understand Cadillac used inferior seals previously. Will need to replace. Light cost approximately $250.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #5

Mar 272019

CTS

  • 27,000 miles
I purchased a new 2012 Cadillac Cts in January, 2012. The car has been garage kept since new and has only 27,000 miles. Both headlamps recently began accumulating heavy condensation causing very dim lighting at night. This hazardous condition is clearly a manufacturing defect and not caused by excessive use of the vehicle nor exposure to the elements.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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problem #4

Mar 272019

CTS

  • 27,000 miles
I purchased a new 2012 Cadillac Cts in January, 2012. The car has been garage kept since new and has only 27,000 miles. Both headlamps recently began accumulating heavy condensation causing very dim lighting at night. This hazardous condition is clearly a manufacturing defect and not caused by excessive use of the vehicle nor exposure to the elements.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 012014

CTS

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My station wagon is a 2012 that I bought new in Aug 2013. In about a year I noticed condensation on the inside of the sealed led headlight assembly

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 282017

CTS

  • 81,000 miles
2012 Cadillac Cts wagon: Rear stop, turn signal, back-up, brake lights are coming away from body of vehicle. The tabs under the top have broken off and lights do not fit the body of vehicle as designed. The lights work as designed, photos attached of complaint. It appears that the plastic these lights were manufactured from is defective and lights could be changing shape and distorting under temperature changes, the holding tabs under the lights must weaken and eventually break off. Have been told by dealer this is normal? wow! upon search of www and Cadillac forums found that these rear lights were defective and I read where they have been replaced by dealers under original btb warranty (if the owners complained hard enough). I am now the third owner and warranty has expired. Here is the kick in the groin: GM/Cadillac in Oct 2012 remanufactured these lights from a higher quality plastic to resolve the bad manufacturing-poor quality plastic used previously. I believe this to be a serious safety issue for both driver, passenger and the general public. A car wash will eventually destroy and or remove these lights for me. Or if hand washing vehicle I could cut an arm or finger. I also believe that there were insufficient of these vehicles manufactured/built and therefore the dealers and GM/Cadillac don't feel the need for further action or assistance to current owners out of warranty. What ever happened to safety issues here? I could epoxy/glue these lights to stay in place and make the removal of them impossible for future service, possibly doing additional damage to the vehicle, or I can purchase new oem replacements! as long as the replacement lights are manufactured after Oct 2012. Thank you for reading my complaint.

- Barrington, RI, USA

problem #1

Oct 192012

CTS 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
While driving on a road with many curves at approximately 40 mph, I went to turn on the bright lights by pushing lever on left side of steering wheel outwards the bright lights came on as intended but at the same time I apparently hit the switch which controls the lights in different positions. The bright lights went off and I was left with parking lights only and could not see at all. There was no road shoulder as it was only one lane in each direction. I reduced my speed to 4 or 5 mph and did not know what I had done to cause this. There is no lights on the steering column and I had to watch the road so carefully that I had no or little time to understand why the lights went out. A car came up behind me and with his lights I finally had time to look down and move the light switch to its proper position. It was a horrible experience and something needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.

- Temecula, CA, USA

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