Cadillac CT4-V
2.7L turbo four, aluminum block, direct injection only — GM's modern answer to high torque demands. 314-329 hp depending on variant. Feels like a small V8 until the revs climb and the four-cylinder character shows. Head gasket failures on 2019-2022 early production under 25k miles, warranty-covered. Post-2022 units significantly more reliable. Turbo bearings sensitive to oil quality — Dexos-spec oil only.
2.7L turbo with V8 torque — the underrated Cadillac
314 hp and 500+ Nm from 1,500 rpm out of a four-cylinder. Feels like a small V8 up to 4,000 rpm, above that the four-cylinder character shows. Rear-wheel drive, 10-speed auto, MagneRide suspension. A serious sports sedan for a fraction of the Blackwing price.
Engine Weaknesses 5
Head gasket fails on early L3B under 25k miles. Covered under warranty.
Symptoms: White smoke, overheating, milky oil
Poor oil quality or extended intervals destroy turbo bearings.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, whine, blue smoke, power loss
Fuel injectors wear or fail — incorrect ECM programming (2019-2022) causes wrong injection quantity. Service Update N242450631 available as free fix.
Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires, poor fuel economy, check engine light
Piston rings let oil past — 0.75 to 1.75 quarts per 3,000 miles in documented cases. GM in one case rebuilt engine after two years of oil consumption. Often from ~30k miles.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level, blue smoke, oil consumption 0.5+ quarts per 600 miles
Direct injection only — walnut blasting from ~60k miles.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
Curtain airbags may not deploy correctly in a crash — mounting points defective. Recall with free rework.
Control valve body in 10-speed transmission can select wrong gear — recall for 2020-2021 models.
GM 10L80 automatic develops vibration and shudder — same issue as in the CT5.
Digital instrument cluster shows black screen momentarily — restarts after seconds. Software issue, OTA update available.
BCM stays active after shutdown when ignition relay KR73 fails to de-energize. Acknowledged in GM Service Bulletin PIT5817A.
