CadillacCT52020Overview/cadillac/ct5/2020/base/

2020 Cadillac CT5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 CT5.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 has been independently tested at 6.6–7.1 sec 0–60 mph.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.28 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil typeDEXOS I* Gen II 0W–20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 12727115
Engine air filter84498926 alt 84335354
Spark plug55504354 alt 12650283
Battery88864542
Front wiper blades84574892 alt 84566977
Serpentine belt12678130 alt 55488926
Thermostat55516370 alt 12678784
Cabin air filter13356914 alt 13508023

Diagrams

Power distribution wiring8 sheets

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight3799 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CT5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2020 Sport 350T Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Sport 350T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec237 hpRWD
2020Sport 350T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.30 sec237 hpRWD
2021Premium Luxury Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.00 sec237 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.28 qt of DEXOS I* Gen II 0W–20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDexron® ULV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.08
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake Fluid Capacity0.909 pt
Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity.909 pt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.3 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 37.0; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 37.0; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionFront: 22.0; Rear: 66.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.028–0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity2.70 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil TypeGM Part number 19354657 or equivalent.
Oil Capacity2.70 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure29.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM100°C @ 1,500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi minimum @ Idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM20 psi minimum @ 2,000 RPM
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 30; Rear: 30
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.787; Rear: 0.787 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: 0.827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.102; Rear: .866
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring DepthFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
140°-50°
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15°-30°74 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15°-30°74 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 75°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 110°22 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
128°
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 125°59 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 125°59 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 190°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 40°15 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.03.6 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 120°15 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install New Bolts and Tighten by Hand., Step 218 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install New Bolts and Tighten by Hand., Step 218 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is the debut model year of the generation, and its federal record reflects a classic first-year teething profile: it carries the highest complaint count (36) of any year in the dataset, double the 20 complaints recorded for 2021 and quadruple the 9 logged in 2022. It also ties 2021 for the most recalls at four, retains an active investigation, and leads the generation in technical service bulletins at 893—a figure that declines steadily each subsequent year, indicating Cadillac was actively patching early-production issues. The top complaint areas—Power Train (6), Unknown or Other (5), and Electrical System (4)—suggest a broad rather than narrowly concentrated set of early defects, and the data does not specify root causes for any of them. Two crash complaints are present, though zero fire complaints were recorded. By 2022, complaints and recalls drop sharply and investigations fall to zero, marking the point at which the platform appears to have stabilized. The 2020 sits squarely at the peak of the generation's problem arc, meaning buyers are taking on the maximum first-year risk with the least benefit of post-launch refinement. If you are set on a used CT5, prioritizing a 2022 or later model year will likely yield a more trouble-free ownership experience; the 2020 is best approached only at a meaningful discount with a verified recall-completion history.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
893
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
33
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train6
Unknown Or Other5
Electrical System4
Structure2
Power Train,Engine2
Power Train,Wheels,Engine2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V611000Air Bags:Side/Window:CurtainReported 05/08/2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment… Remedy: Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 30…

20V588000Service BrakesReported 24/09/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 893 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT65112026-04-24Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with a replace or low FOB battery…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6425D2026-03-02Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CT5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Fuse box & wiring diagrams

Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 CT5 take?

5.28 qt of DEXOS I* Gen II 0W–20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 CT5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.