Recall 11V536 affects 674 2012 Cadillac Cts vehicles for an under-torqued brake-booster pushrod nut. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
Cadillac is recalling 674 2012 Cts vehicles because an under-torqued power vacuum brake booster pushrod retention nut can loosen and let the pushrod separate from the brake pedal. That separation can leave the driver unable to brake without warning and increase the risk of a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power vacuum brake booster pushrod on the 2012 Cadillac Cts is the link between the brake pedal and the vacuum booster. When you press the pedal, the pushrod transfers that motion into the booster, which helps multiply pedal force so the hydraulic brake system responds with less effort from your foot.
On affected vehicles, the nut that holds the pushrod in place was not tightened to the proper specification during assembly. That loose connection can let the nut back off. If the pushrod separates from the brake pedal, the pedal no longer sends force into the brake booster the way it was designed to do.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is hidden at the brake pedal connection, so an owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear early symptom before the pushrod separates.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Cadillac Cts | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 674 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose brake booster pushrod retention nut can leave the vehicle without braking ability and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so treat this as a repair to schedule soon and use extra caution until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Cadillac Cts is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer to ask whether the free brake-booster pushrod retention nut inspection and torque service is open for your VIN.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V536 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair. Leave extra following distance because brake assist can be lost without warning.
- Call Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 with questions about this recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Cadillac technician inspects the power vacuum brake booster pushrod retention nut. If the nut is loose or not torqued to specification, the technician tightens it to the proper setting so the pushrod stays connected to the brake pedal. The recall service is free, including inspection and any needed torque correction. Cadillac's recall notice says the safety recall began on November 1, 2011, so ask the dealer to confirm completion by VIN and update the recall record after the work is done.
Timeline
| November 2, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 2, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V536?
Recall 11V536 covers 674 2012 Cadillac Cts vehicles with a power vacuum brake boost pushrod retention nut that was not torqued to the proper specification. If the nut loosens, the pushrod can separate from the brake pedal. Cadillac dealers inspect and torque the nut for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Cadillac Cts is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V536. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac dealer to schedule the brake booster pushrod retention nut inspection. Reference recall number 11V536 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Cadillac's remedy says dealers will inspect the power vacuum brake boost pushrod retention nut and torque it to the proper specification free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of braking ability without warning. If the pushrod retention nut loosens and the pushrod separates from the brake pedal, the vehicle can lose braking ability, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free Cadillac dealer repair.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall consequence states that loss of braking ability can happen without prior warning. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Cadillac dealer inspection instead of waiting for a brake symptom.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V536000 |
|---|---|
| Cadillac customer service | 1-800-458-8006 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V536 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V536000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →