2011 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 101 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,140 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 162,290.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon inspection underneath the frame rail, the contact became aware that there was rust on both sides of the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2025
“My air bag light is on. I brought it to the dealer for repair. The dealer told me the airbag is unfixable due to the fact that the "Passenger seat presence sensor is broken and no longer manufactured". I now have a car that is fully functional aside from this issue and it's unsafe to drive. The dealer also refused to buy the car back from me for fair market value.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2023
“Heated seat when turned on caught on fire, burned me & the seat has burned leather. No warnings or lamps came on. It is available for inspection upon request.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2022
“The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 -35 mph, there was a rattling noise detected from the front end of the vehicle. The brake pedal was applied but, failed to respond and crashed into a 2018 Ford. There were no reported injuries or fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2022
“The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the "Service Air Bags" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022
“While driving on a windy mountain road at approx 45 mph, going into a sharp left hand turn, the steering wheel would not turn any further. It felt as though the steering had gone out completely. This caused me to travel straight into an embankment and launch into the woods. No injuries. Air bags did not deploy. Radiator was bent into a u shape. No idea why none of the airbags didn't deploy”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2020
“In 2014 gm issued a recall on the supersharger for the 2010 to 2015 cadillac cts v and the cameo zr1 I didn't receive any notice about it. I am registered on the gm recall site I just found out about the recall now I am having the issue I called gm and there saying my car is out of mileage but it wasn't in 2014 and I only let the dealer work on it and they didn't say anything and when I spoke to gm she couldn't find any proof they notified me about the recall how can I get them to repair my car under the recall like they should have?my attorney said try to get your help first because you can make them comply I would appreciate a speedy response to if you can help me thank you.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2020
“On 12-2-19 at 730am eastern time, I was involved in a 55 mph side impact crash to the right side of the vehicle by a semi truck on interstate 475 north in toledo, ohio, mile marker 10, near holland, ohio. No side impact airbags deployed. Vehicle is in 100% excellent maintained condition. No fault codes. Vehicle structure maintained very well for a highway speed crash, however, I have a concussion from the side impact and no airbag deployment. Car was totalled by the semi truck insurance company that struck me.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CTS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?
NHTSA has 101 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Cadillac CTS. The most complained-about area is power train (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac CTS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:driveline:driveshaft. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.