Research · Compact Cars

2021 Cadillac CT4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2021 Cadillac CT4. Most complaints involve engine (3) and fuel/propulsion system (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
7
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 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2022 – Jun 2026
  1. Engine3
  2. Fuel/propulsion system2
  3. Vehicle speed control1
  4. Power train1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Steering1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Forward collision avoidance1
  9. Tires1

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 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

3 reports
“While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accelerate, creating an immediate, life-threatening hazard as I was left stranded and blocking high-speed freeway traffic. Only after the mechanical failure occurred did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was towed to Cadillac Dealership. The service department confirmed that the vehicle suffered from the known defective transmission control valve covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N242480631 and tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V148. The dealership ordered the replacement valve body but aborted the repair after confirming that the control valve's failure caused massive internal fluid leaks and total mechanical destruction of the transmission assembly. The manufacturer is currently denying coverage for the complete transmission replacement, despite the fact that the total failure was consequential damage directly caused by the federally recalled, component defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11747192

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“Check engine light for P1467 on a 2021 CT4 V. This is for a "purge pump underspeed" issue. The issue is known on CT4 Cadillacs and has an active recall out: N242441120 Evaporative Emissions Purge Pump. This recall is only for the 2.0, LSY engines, but the much more uncommon 2.7, L3B engine in my car uses the same part # for the purge pump. It feels as though they are intentionally ignoring an equal emissions issue, but just on a smaller scale with the limited number of these engines they sold. What actions can I take?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11741180

Vehicle speed control

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 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
213125$3,100356
CT4 AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200374
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$3,350385
  • 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
    21 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • CT4 AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    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 9, 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 2021 Cadillac CT4 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 15335Vehicle 15295
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

2021 CT4 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac CT4 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2021 Cadillac CT4 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (3), fuel/propulsion system (2), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Cadillac CT4 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Cadillac CT4 at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026