Lemon Law Analysis

2022 Cadillac CT5

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
7
NHTSA Complaints
2
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 7 complaints against the 2022 Cadillac CT5. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2022 Cadillac CT5 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has generated 35 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2022 Cadillac CT5 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Cadillac pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Air Bags

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has 10 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Restraint System message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side air bag sensor needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.” (NHTSA Complaint #11487338)

Body & Structure

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Front driver side door unable to open from the outside. Faulty door handle pad. Initially randomly wouldn’t work, would have to press the pressure pad multiple times or press on specific part of the pad. Eventually, stopped working all together. It’s a safety issue if unable to open the door during an emergency. Pretty common issue on Cadillac CT5s regardless of trim. Affects all 4 doors, just happen to be the driver side is the most used.” (NHTSA Complaint #11711602)

Wheels,Forward Collision Avoidance

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The front wheels are locking up sometimes when either hitting a bump in the road or just out of the blue while driving. The auto braking will engage quickly and then shut off.” (NHTSA Complaint #11648919)

Tires

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “See attached document for complaint” (NHTSA Complaint #11576798)

Steering

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Steering defects can create unpredictable vehicle behavior and qualify as safety-related under California lemon law. Reported issues on the 2022 Cadillac CT5 include pulling, vibration, loss of power steering, and electronic steering warnings. 5 NHTSA complaints have been filed in this category. Owner reports include: “2022 CADILLAC CT5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SHORTAGE OF COMPUTER CHIPS FOR VEHICLES HEATED STEERING WHEEL.” (NHTSA Complaint #11504437)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Cadillac CT5

The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2022 Cadillac CT5 by the NHTSA or Cadillac. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

Recall 21V611000

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM’s number for this recall is N212342780.

Recall 22V903000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac custo

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 Cadillac CT5:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Cadillac to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Cadillac must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2022 Cadillac CT5 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Cadillac may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Cadillac pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Cadillac willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2022 Cadillac CT5 Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Cadillac a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Cadillac dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Cadillac pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Cadillac a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2022 Cadillac CT5 Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2022 Cadillac CT5 as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Cadillac pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Cadillac is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2022 Cadillac CT5?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2022 CT5 Qualifies?

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