2011 Cadillac CTS

▲ Better than typical

2011 Cadillac CTS
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:39:54.601Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2011: 101 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	313
2004	224
2005	277
2006	269
2007	217
2008	175
2009	167
2010	67
2011	101
2012	65
2013	72
2014	144
2015	46
2016	31
2017	26
2018	8
2019	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 23%

23% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180109

HAD JUST ACCELERATED AFTER STOPPING AT RED LIGHT, REACHING APPROX 25MPH WHEN WE HEARD A VERY LOUD GRATING METAL GRINDING SOUND. ALARMED WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO PULL OVER WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140813

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".

NHTSA ODI report, 20231122

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS IT SEIZED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE APPROACHED SPEEDS UP TO 80 MPH AND ONLY STOPPED AFTER HE CRASHED INTO A HOME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130805

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230912

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20140825 — air bags, power train

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011.

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.

Campaign 14V341000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140915 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V394000 — check if this car was fixed