MYRModel Year Report

2011 Cadillac CTS

▲ Better than typical
2011 Cadillac CTS
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:08.158Z

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
101
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2011 101 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 73 complaints 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2011 101 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2004 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2010 2011: 101 complaints 2011 101 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2014 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2016 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2019

2011: 101 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003313
2004224
2005277
2006269
2007217
2008175
2009167
201067
2011101
201265
201373
2014145
201548
201631
201727
20188
201910

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

23% · 23 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2018-01-09

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, 2014-08-13

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, 2023-11-22

Power train

23% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing driveshaft and driveline.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2013-08-05

I purchased a new 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe. It continuously makes a groaning sound which appears to be coming from the rear part of the drive train. The dealer changed the differential fluid to correct the problem. However, the problem remains.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-12-30

Electrical system

20% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the speedometer was displaying a speed that was 4 MPH less than the actual speed than he was traveling at.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-06-27

Engine

13% · 13 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

11% · 11 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2014-08-25Air bags, power train14V341000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2014-09-15Electrical system14V394000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 20 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V341000 · Air bags, power train
  • Recall 14V394000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Cadillac CTS is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.