Recall 21V611 affects 34,157 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles for incorrectly installed side-curtain air bags. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
Cadillac is recalling 34,157 2020-2022 CT4 and CT5 vehicles because the roof rail side-curtain air bags were installed incorrectly. In a crash, those air bags can deploy improperly and increase the risk of injury; Cadillac dealers will inspect and correct the installation free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof rail side-curtain air bag in the 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 is built into the roof rail along the side of the cabin. In a crash that calls for side-curtain protection, it is designed to drop down between the glass and the people inside. That curtain adds a cushion between occupants and the side structure.
On affected vehicles, the roof rail air bag was installed with a twist between attachment points. That twist changes how the folded air bag sits inside the trim before deployment. During a crash, the bag can deploy improperly because the twisted section does not unfold along its intended path.
This is an installation problem, not a wear item an owner can inspect from the driver seat. There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag can look normal until the moment it is needed in a crash.
Who's affected?
Covers both CT4 and CT5 sedans across the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years; each scope points to the same roof-rail side air bag assembly.
| 2020 Cadillac CT4 | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| 2020 Cadillac CT4 | air bag system |
| 2020 Cadillac CT5 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Cadillac CT5 | air bag system |
| 2021 Cadillac CT4 | side curtain air bag |
| 2021 Cadillac CT4 | air bag system |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5 | side curtain air bag |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5 | air bag system |
| 2022 Cadillac CT4 | side curtain air bag |
| 2022 Cadillac CT4 | air bag system |
| 2022 Cadillac CT5 | side curtain air bag |
| 2022 Cadillac CT5 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 34,157 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the roof rail air bags are installed incorrectly, they can fail to deploy properly in a crash and increase injury risk for people inside the vehicle. Schedule the inspection and any needed reinstallation soon. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 or CT5 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer to schedule the free roof rail side-curtain air bag inspection and reinstallation that fixes improper deployment in a crash.
- Bring the owner letter to the appointment, or reference recall number 21V611 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, because the side-curtain air bags need dealer inspection to confirm correct installation.
- Call Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Cadillac technician inspects the left and right roof rail side curtain air bags and reinstalls any air bag that was not installed correctly. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Because all covered vehicles are under warranty, Cadillac is not offering a separate reimbursement program for this campaign. If you already paid for related air bag work, ask the service desk how the existing warranty applies to your prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 5, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 5, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 30, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 20, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 20, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V611?
Recall 21V611 covers 34,157 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles with roof rail side-curtain air bags subject to incorrect installation. Incorrect installation can keep the air bags from deploying properly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Cadillac dealers inspect and reinstall the air bags for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 or CT5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific CT4 or CT5 is included in recall 21V611. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac dealer to schedule the roof rail air bag inspection. Reference recall number 21V611 or GM recall N212342780 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 21V611, Cadillac dealers inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as needed, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Cadillac CT4 or CT5 before the repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety concern is that incorrectly installed roof rail side-curtain air bags can fail to deploy properly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Check your VIN, then schedule the free dealer inspection if your vehicle is included.
When were owners notified about recall 21V611?
Cadillac mailed owner notification letters on August 30, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received the letter, the recall still applies to the vehicle by VIN. Check your VIN and contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or a franchised Cadillac dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V611000 |
|---|---|
| Cadillac customer service | 1-800-458-8006 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V611 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V611000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →