The most-reported CT5 run is 1G6DN5RK3M0 (2021 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 21% of reports; 2021 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for CT5 model years 2020–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac CT5 has 93 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every CT5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6DN5RK3M0•••••• | 2021 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6DU5RK6P0•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| 1G6DS5RK3S0•••••• | 2025 | — | — | |
| 1G6DS5RK5L0•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1G6DV5RW7P0•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| 1G6DW5RK1M0•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 1G6DU5RK0L0•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1G6DT5RW9L0•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1G6DV5RW6M0•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 1G6DN5RKXL0•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1G6D25R68N0•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| 1G6DV5RW4M0•••••• | 2021 | — | — |
Each of the other 81 CT5 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 124 CT5 VINs so far, most often 2026, 2025, 2023 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac CT5 the gap between build years is 1.1×: a 2021 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2025 | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 11 | 10 | — | |
| 2021 | 29 | 23 | 3 | |
| 2020 | 39 | 33 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2025 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Cadillac CT5 owners report: Electrical System, 25 of 112 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | — | |
| Air Bags | 6 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Cadillac CT5; the 6 below cover build years 2020 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V903000 | Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software | 2020–2023 |
| 21V611000 | Air Bags:side/window:curtain | 2020–2022 |
| 25V148000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 2020–2021 |
| 26V114000 | Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual | 2026 |
| 21V421000 | Air Bags:srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/light | 2021 |
| 20V588000 | Service Brakes | 2020 |
22V903000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2020: 2 years on the road before the recall.
The CT5 against its rivals
The CT5 draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Tesla Model 3 18.3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 1.4. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac CT5 | 112 | 93 | 11.6% | |
| Tesla Model 3 | 4,173 | 228 | 9.8% | |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 127 | 90 | 3.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 112 reports on the Cadillac CT5, 11.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac CT5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 112 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 13 (11.6%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Cadillac CT5 share of that is 112 complaints over 93 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac CT5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 112 NHTSA complaints from 93 CT5 runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which CT5 production run has the most complaints?
1G6DN5RK3M0, a 2021 build, with 3 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical CT5 run has 1.2.
Which CT5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2025 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the CT5 get more complaints than the Tesla Model 3?
No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the CT5 against 18.3 for the Tesla Model 3.
How many CT5 complaints involve a crash?
11.6% of 112 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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