Cadillac CT6 1st gen Problems, Recalls & Lemon Law

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 16V687 covers a narrow two-day production window in July 2016 where the bolt securing the front passenger seatbelt webbing to the seat anchor may be missing entirely. In a crash, the seatbelt would detach from the seat, providing no restraint. Under Song-Beverly, a safety recall — especially one where GM explicitly advised owners not to use the front passenger seat until repaired — is per se evidence of a defect covered by the vehicle's warranty. Owners whose dealer did not promptly complete this repair should confirm the recall was closed on their VIN at safercar.gov.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing front passenger seat belt webbing anchor bolt, or install a bolt if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2016. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 16035

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 18V437 affects approximately 22,000 CT6 units across 2016-2018 model years. Excess structural adhesive on inboard child seat anchorage bars prevents proper LATCH child seat engagement, increasing injury risk in a crash. Because this recall involves the safety of child occupants and requires a physical inspection and repair at the dealer, owners who were unable to complete the repair within a reasonable time (e.g., parts unavailable, dealer backlog) may have grounds to document out-of-service time under Song-Beverly's 30-day provision.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, remove any excess adhesive, and apply anti-corrosion primer to the inboard child seat anchorage bars, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 18228

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 18V673 covers 2018-2019 CT6 vehicles (approximately 15,800 units across GM models) where second-row rear seatbelt retractors may not automatically lock when fully extended, preventing proper child seat securement. GM's remedy is inspection and retractor replacement if needed. Under Song-Beverly, a safety recall that requires a dealer inspection and potential hardware replacement — and which concerns the restraint of child passengers — is strong evidence of a warranty-covered defect. Owners should confirm the repair was completed and documented on their repair order.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800

sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall

Recall 19V117 covers a very small group of 2019 CT6 units (approximately five vehicles) where the turn signal does not automatically cancel when the steering wheel is turned. Persistent turn signal illumination can mislead other drivers and pedestrians, increasing crash risk. Though the affected population is tiny, any vehicle with a documented FMVSS noncompliance is per se defective under California law. The repair is a turn-signal switch replacement at no cost.

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the turn-signal switch. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. The Cadillac number for this recall is N182207090.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 19V731 affects 81 2020 CT6 units equipped with dealer-installed accessory 20" wheels whose TPMS sensors operate on the incorrect wireless frequency, rendering the low-pressure warning light inoperative. Driving on underinflated tires without warning can cause loss of vehicle control. Under Song-Beverly, an FMVSS noncompliance is a warranty defect by definition. Dealers will replace all four TPMS sensors at no charge.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four TPMS sensors with the correct sensors, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192279200.

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Recall 19V889 covers 821 2019 CT6 vehicles where an EBCM software error can disable both the Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Control for an entire ignition cycle — without illuminating the expected warning lights, leaving the driver unaware of the loss of these safety systems. This is a particularly serious defect because the failure is silent. Under Song-Beverly, any recall involving the disabling of primary vehicle safety systems (brakes, stability control) carries elevated lemon-law weight, and the failure to trigger warning lights makes the defect especially difficult for owners to detect without a diagnostic scan.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N1922

tail light out; exterior light warning; reduced rear visibility

Recall 21V759 covers approximately 181 2016-2017 CT6 vehicles whose park/position lamps are excessively bright, failing FMVSS No. 108 and potentially impairing the vision of following or oncoming drivers. The remedy is installation of headlight jumper harnesses at no charge. While the affected population is very small, any FMVSS noncompliance is a warranty defect under Song-Beverly, and owners should ensure the repair is completed and documented on their service record.

Dealers will install right and left side in-line headlight jumper harnesses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N162016079.

transmission shifts unexpectedly; hesitation; harsh shift; transmission warning

Recall 25V148000 covers 10,602 2019-2020 CT6 vehicles whose 10-speed (10L80) Hydra-Matic transmission contains a defective control valve that wears prematurely. Early wear causes harsh shifting; advanced wear can cause momentary wheel lockup during a downshift from 8th gear at highway speeds — a direct crash hazard. Parts shortages delayed repairs well into 2025-2026, with many owners filing complaints about extended waits. Under Song-Beverly, any CT6 owner whose vehicle was returned to the dealer for recall-related transmission symptoms multiple times, or who was without their vehicle for 30 or more cumulative days while awaiting parts, has a strong basis for a lemon-law claim. The recall's safety nature (highway-speed wheel lockup) also supports an accelerated Song-Beverly analysis.

Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.

transmission shudders at highway cruising speed; feels like driving over rumble strips; harsh 1-2 and 2-1 shifts; jerking or clunking during acceleration or deceleration; hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear; transmission hesitates then slams into gear; shudder in a single gear without changing gears

The 8L90 shudder defect is the subject of a certified class action covering 2016-2019 CT6 vehicles, and GM was alleged to have known about the defect prior to sale. Under Song-Beverly, repeated dealer visits for a transmission shudder that the TSB fluid flush fails to permanently resolve — particularly when symptoms affect drivability or safety — can satisfy the substantial impairment and reasonable-repair-attempts standards. Owners who returned to the dealer three or more times for the same shudder condition, or who were told 'no fault found' despite persistent symptoms, have a strong predicate for a Song-Beverly claim.

Full transmission fluid flush with Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP (Blue Label) per TSB 18-NA-355 / N192217820. A drain-and-fill alone is insufficient; a full-flush machine must purge the torque converter and cooler lines. In persistent cases, torque converter replacement may be required.

check engine light on; DTC P0299 (turbocharger underboost); loss of power under acceleration; turbocharger noise or whine; DTC P16E7; reduced engine performance mode; MIL illumination with boost pressure below expected level

The LGW turbo defect is a manufacturer-acknowledged issue per Service Update 17408 covering approximately 5,200 CT6 vehicles. Under Song-Beverly, a turbocharger failure requiring replacement constitutes a substantial impairment of use and value. Owners whose turbo failed after the ECM recalibration was applied — or who required engine replacement due to debris ingestion — likely meet the 'multiple repair attempts for a serious defect' threshold for a lemon-law claim.

ECM recalibration per Service Update 17408 (primary remedy for early-stage DTC P0299). If the turbine wheel has already failed or metal debris is present, turbocharger replacement is required; in cases of debris ingestion, engine inspection and potential engine replacement.

Super Cruise unavailable message; Super Cruise will not engage on approved highways; Super Cruise drops out mid-highway without driver input; DTC B126B in module scan; Service Driver Assist warning on dashboard; Super Cruise light does not illuminate green; dealer unable to resolve after multiple visits; vehicle at dealership for weeks without repair

Super Cruise was a premium option (adding thousands to the CT6's price) and was a primary purchase motivator for many buyers. An inoperable Super Cruise system for which a dealer cannot provide a durable fix — particularly where the vehicle was out of service at the dealership for nine or more weeks (as documented in ODI 11396890) — may independently satisfy Song-Beverly's 30-day out-of-service or reasonable-repair-attempts provisions. Attorneys should confirm whether Super Cruise was listed as a material feature in the purchase agreement.

Digital Map Module update to version 84743195 or later per TSB PIT6127A/PIT6180. For the radar-related Service Driver Assist message, no hardware fix is currently defined; customer advisement only.

CUE infotainment screen goes black and reboots; touchscreen unresponsive for 30-90 seconds; navigation freezes mid-route; climate controls inaccessible during screen blackout; radio does not respond to touch; screen requires hard reset (hold power); infotainment crash while driving; audio cuts out during screen freeze

Under Song-Beverly, an infotainment system that repeatedly freezes or reboots — making navigation, climate controls, and audio inaccessible while driving — constitutes a substantial impairment of use or value, particularly in a near-$90,000 luxury vehicle. Owners who visited the dealer multiple times for the same freeze/reboot cycle without a durable fix should document every repair order carefully, as the inability to permanently resolve a software defect is a recognized lemon-law predicate.

Software update via OTA or dealer programming; in some cases the Integrated Center Stack (ICS) module requires replacement. GM issued multiple software updates for CUE Gen 2 across the CT6's production run; however, some owners report symptoms recurring after updates.

Service Suspension System warning in driver information center; harsh or bouncy ride with active suspension engaged; car feels like suspension has gone stiff or soft unpredictably; magnetic ride strut leaking fluid; clicking or knocking from suspension corners; ride comfort drops to non-adaptive feel; DTC stored for suspension module

Magnetic Ride Control is a premium differentiating feature of the CT6 and was a material selling point. Strut failure that triggers a 'Service Suspension System' warning and degrades ride quality to conventional-shock levels constitutes a substantial impairment of use and value. Owners who had MRC struts replaced under warranty only to have the replacement fail within the warranty period, or who could not get the system repaired within 30 days, should consult a lemon-law attorney.

Diagnose with GDS2 to identify failed strut(s) per TSB 05-03-08-002J; replace failed MRC strut(s). For software calibration issues, ECM/suspension control module reprogram via GDS2. MRC strut replacement cost is significant ($800-$1,500 per corner out of warranty).

engine failure warning at very low mileage (under 5,000 miles); engine knock or abnormal noise from cylinders; vehicle enters reduced power mode; engine dies and will not restart; metal shavings found in cylinders on inspection; dealer confirms engine replacement required; MIL illumination with multiple DTCs at very low mileage

A six-figure flagship vehicle requiring full engine replacement within the first 3,000 miles is among the strongest possible lemon-law fact patterns. Under Song-Beverly, an engine failure in the first year of ownership that required a replacement engine — especially when parts lead times extend the vehicle's out-of-service time beyond 30 cumulative days — creates strong eligibility for a full refund or replacement. The tiny production volume of the CT6-V (under 550 units across both years) means each affected vehicle represents extremely high per-unit legal value.

Engine replacement; no lesser repair is viable once hydro-lock or metal debris is confirmed. Given the LTA engine is unique to the CT6-V and production has ceased, long parts lead times have been reported.

vehicle loses all power while driving at 70-75 mph; car coasts to a stop on the highway; transmission or differential fails catastrophically; wheels seize or lock at highway speed; DTC P0747; front differential case fractures; transmission will not engage any gear; multiple tow-in visits to dealership

A vehicle that loses all drive power at 70 mph on a public highway — or whose wheels momentarily lock while at speed — creates both a safety defect claim and a lemon-law claim. Under Song-Beverly, a safety defect that could cause a crash is given special weight; even a single repair attempt may be sufficient if the defect is serious enough. Owners who experienced highway power loss, received a dealer diagnosis of transmission or differential failure, and were without their vehicle for 30 or more cumulative days awaiting parts or repair should consult an attorney immediately.

Transmission or differential replacement; in 10-speed recall vehicles, TCM software install (recall 25V148000). Parts availability has been a documented issue (multiple complaints from 2024-2025 about extended waits for 10-speed repair parts).

Service Suspension System warning; vehicle rides unusually low at one or more corners; car sags overnight when parked; harsh ride after suspension warning appears; suspension compressor runs continuously; ride height sensor error; vehicle nose or rear drops unexpectedly on startup; adaptive damping deactivated

Air-ride suspension is a premium feature on the CT6 and was a material selling point for buyers seeking the flagship ride quality. Repeated failure of the air suspension system — particularly if the dealer requires multiple visits to diagnose and correct the fault — can satisfy Song-Beverly's reasonable repair attempts standard. Owners should retain all repair orders documenting the 'Service Suspension System' warning and any active suspension-related repairs.

Diagnose fault codes via GDS2 to identify failed component (air spring, compressor, height sensor, or control module). Replace failed component. Air compressor and air spring replacement can exceed $1,000 per corner out of warranty.