MODEL
Cadillac CT5-V Safety
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.
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V achieved an Exceptional rating from MotorCaliber, with a Safety Index score of 99 out of 100. This strong showing is tempered by an incomplete picture from NHTSA crash tests: while the CT5-V earned 5 out of 5 stars in side impact and rollover resistance for that year, no rating was issued for frontal crash protection. This gap means crucial data is unavailable for the most common type of collision. Across the 2020 to 2025 model years, the CT5-V's safety record includes 5 recalls and 80 owner complaints. These numbers are consistent with a well-managed safety program for a vehicle in this class. Within those complaints, however, 9 reported crashes and 7 reported injuries, including 1 reported death, warrant close examination by prospective buyers. These are owner allegations, not verified facts, but their severity suggests the need for individual review of the details on the NHTSA public database. The CT5-V demonstrates a high level of safety performance at its peak, but the absence of a frontal crash rating and the serious nature of some owner complaints require careful consideration.
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 NHTSA 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.