MODEL
Cadillac Ct5-V
NHTSA safety across every Cadillac Ct5-V model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Cadillac Ct5-V we cover (2020 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2022 at 99 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2024 at 88. 5 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Cadillac CT5-V is a performance-focused luxury sport sedan slotting into the competitive upper-midsize segment, taking aim at shoppers who want genuine driving engagement wrapped in American premium style. Offered from model year 2020 onward, it sits a step above the standard CT5 and targets enthusiast buyers who expect both rear-wheel-drive athleticism and an elevated cabin experience from their daily driver.
From a safety standpoint, the Cadillac CT5-V puts up numbers that any luxury sport sedan buyer should find reassuring. Across the 2020 to 2025 model years we cover, the CT5-V reached a peak MotorCaliber Safety Index of 99 out of 100 in 2022, earning an Exceptional band rating. Its best crash-test results show a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both side impact and rollover resistance, though frontal crash testing returned no rating in that same year, which is a gap shoppers should note. A missing frontal rating is not a failing score, but it does leave an incomplete picture in the most statistically common crash scenario. On the recall side, 5 recalls across six model years is a relatively modest count for a performance variant of a new-generation platform, and it suggests Cadillac has addressed issues through the formal safety system rather than letting them accumulate. Owner complaint volume stands at 80 total across the coverage window, a manageable figure for the segment. However, within those unverified allegations, 9 involve reported crashes and 7 involve reported injuries, with 1 reported death. These are allegations, not confirmed findings, but they are serious enough that prospective buyers should review the specific complaint details on NHTSA's public database. The CT5-V is a genuinely capable performer with a strong safety index at its best, but the absent frontal rating and the injury-related complaint subset deserve honest attention before signing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the CT5-V for its engaging rear-wheel-drive dynamics, well-sorted chassis, and a cabin that feels meaningfully premium without mimicking German rivals. Most find it a compelling value within the luxury performance sedan class, though some note that Cadillac's infotainment and dealer network still trail the segment's European benchmarks in overall polish.
- The CT5-V earned a peak MotorCaliber Safety Index of 99 out of 100 in the 2022 model year, placing it in the Exceptional band, making that year a particularly strong choice if safety scoring is a priority.
- Frontal crash testing returned no rating in the best-performing year we cover, which is a meaningful data gap given that frontal collisions are the most common serious crash type. Buyers should check NHTSA directly to see if updated frontal results exist for specific model years.
- Five recalls across the 2020 to 2025 coverage window is a modest total, but shoppers should run any specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool to confirm all outstanding recall repairs have been completed before purchase.
- Owner complaints include 9 reported crashes, 7 reported injuries, and 1 reported death across the coverage period. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but their presence warrants a careful review of the specific complaint narratives in the NHTSA database before committing to a purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Cadillac Ct5-V with 4 recalls.