2021 Cadillac CT4

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.

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.

NHTSA ID

11747192

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

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?

NHTSA ID

11741180

Incident

May 1, 2026

There is a known issue with hesitation and hard shifting on my vehicle. According to the gm bulletin that was released I believe in may of 25 my year, make and model has a known issue where the transmission control valve may stick or wear causing jerking and shifting issues and could cause a possible crash. According to the bulletin by gm the fix is to replace the valve cover on the transmission. My vehicle is currently at the Cadillac repair center for this shifting issue and it has been diagnosed to need a valve cover replacement to solve the problem. My point is I have the exact problem listed in the recall and the exact repair listed on gm’s bulletin is the solution. Now I have to pay for the repair because my vin is not specifically listed yet but my year, make and model and problem and the solution is all listed . I know I’m apart of this recall please help me

NHTSA ID

11683316

Incident

Jul 31, 2025

valve body failed and was supposedly repaired. I had the car 1 day and valve body failed again. My car has been in the shop since November 4, 2024 with no estimated time of repair because no parts are available. I was told they would replace the transmission. That has not happened yet. No parts available. My car has been disable for 6 months.

NHTSA ID

11655109

Incident

Nov 4, 2024

Engine and transmission for the second time in 90 days apart. Supposedly be a new part. I don’t think so.

NHTSA ID

11586038

Incident

Oct 6, 2023

While driving the power steering was lost. The the auto hold function lit up. The collision warning light lit up. The stabilitrak system lit up. The air bag safety system lit up. Steering became very hard and made for y safe driving. Later that day 01-22-24, all warning light went out and power steering was normal.

NHTSA ID

11567425

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

235 40 80 run flat Both front and rear passenger tires no damage to rim less that 10k miles

NHTSA ID

11470678

Incident

Jun 12, 2022

This PI Communicates information to ensure Memory Recall is enabled to ensure memory mirrors return to set position after curbview assist is used.

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.

This Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians that if they encounter a customer vehicle with this concern, to perform the steps listed and should be able to reprogram the module and correct this.

The document advise technicians after an engine repair involving removal of the camshaft actuators, the vehicle may set p1101 P0172 and or stalls when taken off idle. The technician is instructed to verify the intake and exhaust camshaft actuators are installed onto the correct camshafts.

Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue