Research · Compact Cars

2020 Cadillac CT4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2020 Cadillac CT4. Most complaints involve engine (3) and service brakes (2). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23–27mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2025
Owner complaints
8
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.

Power trainReported Mar 6, 2025NHTSA 25V148000

Exterior lighting: software

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. 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."

Exterior lightingReported Dec 8, 2022NHTSA 22V903000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Aug 5, 2021NHTSA 21V611000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2021 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine3
  2. Service brakes2
  3. Power train2
  4. Fuel/propulsion system1
  5. Air bags1
  6. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CT4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20208
20217
20226
20233
20247
20252
20261
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

3 reports
“69,000 mile oil change I was told i needed to spend thousands of dollars on repairing an oil leak b/c my Cam carrier is leaking. Cadillac has a know issue with this repair and refuses to stand behind it's product. Numerous complaints already on forums and yet they charge thousands to fix. A top name brand that can't produce a vehicle past 69000 miles without a major issue. I wanted to make it known about the ongoing issue by Cadillac. So sad.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026EngineODI 11759557

Service brakes

2 reports
“Total brake system failure. Lost almost all brake function nearly causing an accident. June 17, 2026 car was taken to dealership. Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), Brake Master Cylinder, Brake Pedal Retainer replacement required. August 7, 2026 received a call from dealer stating that EBCM replacement was faulty or failed. August 26, 2026 Contacted GM to ask for inclusion in recall 20V588000. Was refused inclusion. 70 days out of service and was forced to sell vehicle due to safety concern, extended repair schedule and cost of a vehicle I could not use. Two EBCM replacements and vehicle is still out of service as of August 26, 2026.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Service brakesODI 11759859

Power train

2 reports
“I had two incidents with the Cadillac CT-4 in February and then again in April of 2026 of driving on I-75 at a highway speed of about 70 MPH when the vehicle suddenly downshifted and the engine revving at at very high RPM. The vehicle slowed down suddenly and it felt for a moment that I could not control the speed. The check engine light was on and the diagnostic indicated a transmission/engineer problem and to take in to service within a day. Both incidents in February and April felt the same. Both times I pulled over to the shoulder to shut the engine. I waited and in February it restarted without the engineer revving high. In April, it still revved high. When I took it to Ed Morse Cadillac in [XXX] in February 28, they indicated that it was a water pump failure and they replaced the water pump. I expressed that it was odd that a water pump could affect the vehicle engineer/transmission like it did when engine overheating is usually a warning of a water pump problem. The Odometer was at 73000 just over the 70000 warranty and Cadillac HQ agreed to pay for the repair. However, I continued to have the transmission problem or check engine light problem. I took it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Power trainODI 11752429
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.7L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CT4
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
233427$2,850327
CT4 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233226$3,000343
CT4
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
203024$3,200373
CT4 AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202823$3,350382
CT4 V
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,350384
CT4 V AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202823$3,350382
  • CT4
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • CT4 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 32 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • CT4
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    20 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • CT4 AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CT4 V
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CT4 V AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Cadillac CT4 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 14363Vehicle 14327
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 CT4 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac CT4 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Cadillac CT4 problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (3), service brakes (2), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Cadillac CT4 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Cadillac CT4 at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026