CadillacCT52023Overview/cadillac/ct5/2023/base/

2023 Cadillac CT5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 CT5.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 is a midsize luxury sedan built on GM's rear-wheel-drive architecture, requiring 5.3 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil for maintenance. Owner-reported complaint data spanning the CT5's model history from 2020 through 2026 reveals that the 2023 model year experienced 11 total complaints, with the powertrain system identified as the primary area of concern, and a single recall issued during this period. Compared to the model's complaint trajectory, 2023 falls between the 2020 baseline of 33 complaints—the highest in the series—and the 2024 low of just 2 complaints, suggesting the vehicle occupies a transitional phase in Cadillac's refinement of the platform. For researchers evaluating this model, the complaint frequency positions the 2023 CT5 as neither the most problem-prone nor the most resolved iteration within its generation, indicating that early teething issues documented in 2020 had been substantially addressed by the time this model year entered the used market.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-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 AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle and is vented to the outside. Models equipped with Start Stop Technology: 94R; Models not equipped with Start Stop Technology: 48 · Equipped with Start Stop Technology: 730; Models not equipped with Start Stop Technology: 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12727115. 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 AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle and is vented to the outside. Models equipped with Start Stop Technology: 94R; Models not equipped with Start Stop Technology: 48 · Equipped with Start Stop Technology: 730; Models not equipped with Start Stop Technology: 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18 96VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8; Optional: 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12727115 alt 12731742
Engine air filter84335354 alt 84498926
Spark plug12650283 alt 55504354
Battery88864541 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades84566977 alt 84574892
Thermostat55516370 alt 12620318
Cabin air filter13508023

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
2021Premium Luxury Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.00 sec237 hpAWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Front & Rear Differential in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilFront & Rear Differential
Engine Coolant Capacity11.0 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity13.0 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity12.8 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity13.8 qt
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 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)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsLubricate with clean engine oil: 11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugDrain and Fill: 20.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugOil Level Check Plug: 6.7 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerGM/AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerGM/AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.035" in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.1 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity2.70 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in
Solid Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth0.059"
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: 0.003; Rear: 0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28°37 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28°37 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
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts 11-1822 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°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
111.0 ft. lbs, Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45°11 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs, Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45°11 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-73.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; 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 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 miDrive 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 2023 CT5 arrives after a steep, generation-wide improvement arc: complaints fell from 33 in the 2020 launch year to just eight in 2022, with recalls dropping from four to two and investigations disappearing entirely. The target year shows a modest uptick to 11 complaints and one recall — still far below early‑generation levels — while technical service bulletins continued their steady decline to 509. Power‑train concerns account for nearly half the 2023 complaints (five of 11), with tires (two), structure (one), and advanced driver‑assist systems (one) making up the remainder; three crash‑related complaints were recorded but no fire incidents. The 2024‑2025 data suggest the platform settled further, with complaints falling to single digits and recalls reaching zero before a single recall reappears in 2026. Overall, the 2023 model sits solidly in the mature, lower‑risk portion of the generation’s lifecycle. It is a good year to buy, provided the buyer verifies that the lone recall has been addressed and pays particular attention to power‑train operation during a pre‑purchase inspection.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
509
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
3 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 11 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Power Train5
Tires2
Structure1
Air Bags,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Steering,Suspension1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V903000Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:SoftwareReported 08/12/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500… Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 509 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT65192026-05-27Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that the voice…
PIC6540J2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio.
PIT65132026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis PI states that if SDGM DTC U3000 Sym 49 is set and no other SDGM DTCs are present…
PIC6540H2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio.

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2023 CT5 take?

5.3 qt of Dexos1 Gen 3 Full Synthetic 0W-20., per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 CT5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.