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Cadillac Air Bag Recalls Cover Deployment and Warning Light Problems
Roof-rail air bag performance recurs across these Cadillac notices, alongside a front air bag cushion defect and warning-light software. Certain 2020 XT5 and XT6 vehicles have an inflator diffuser that could separate during deployment. Certain 2020–2022 CT4 and CT5 vehicles have roof-rail side-curtain air bags that may be installed incorrectly. CT4 and CT5 also appear in the warning-light recall for certain 2021 vehicles, together with Escalade and Escalade ESV. That notice concerns communications gateway software and inconsistent indicator illumination. XT5 appears again in the separate 2024 recall, where the driver's front air bag cushion may tear during deployment. CT4 and CT5 span the broadest model-year range here.
Warning signs to watch for
- June 10, 2021 warning-light recall — the air bag malfunction indicator light may illuminate inconsistently on certain 2021 CT4, CT5, Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these Cadillac air bag notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The July 2020 roof-rail inflator notice for certain XT5 and XT6 vehicles does not tell owners to stop driving. The August 2021 CT4 and CT5 side-curtain air bag installation notice also does not tell owners to stop driving. Neither the May 2024 XT5 driver's front air bag notice nor the June 2021 warning-light notice for certain CT4, CT5, Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles tells owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
Dealers replace suspect roof-rail modules for the July 2020 recall. For the August 2021 recall, they inspect both roof-rail air bags and reinstall them as necessary. The May 2024 XT5 remedy replaces the driver's front air bag module. The June 2021 warning-light remedy updates gateway software through a dealer or OTA. Each remedy is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report air bags problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under air bags for the Cadillac models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Air bags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2024 Cadillac XT5 | 2 |
| 2022 Cadillac CT5 | 2 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5 | 2 |
| 2022 Cadillac CT4 | 1 |
| 2020 Cadillac CT4 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2024 | Cadillac XT5 driver airbag may not deploy | high |
| Aug 5, 2021 | Cadillac CT4 and CT5 side airbags may deploy incorrectly | high |
| Jun 10, 2021 | GM vehicles' airbag warning light works inconsistently | medium |
| Jul 30, 2020 | GM SUVs, Trucks: Roof-Rail Air Bag May Underperform | high |
Common questions
What air bag problems affect the Cadillac XT5?
The July 2020 recall covers certain 2020 XT5 vehicles with a roof-rail inflator diffuser that could separate during deployment. The May 2024 recall covers certain 2024 XT5 vehicles whose driver's front air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
What do dealers check on recalled CT4 and CT5 side-curtain air bags?
For the August 2021 recall covering certain 2020–2022 CT4 and CT5 vehicles, dealers inspect both left and right roof-rail air bags. They reinstall the air bags as necessary. The notice specifies that this work is free of charge.
Which Cadillac air bag recall offers an over-the-air update?
The June 2021 warning-light recall covers certain 2021 CT4, CT5, Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles. Its communications gateway software update can be performed by a dealer or delivered over the air, free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.