2011 Cadillac DTS — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2011: 15 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2004	7
2005	9
2006	254
2007	97
2008	86
2009	35
2010	22
2011	15

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 15 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 of 15 total reports mention: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260420

ENGINE

5 of 15 total reports mention: engine.

CRASH INJURY

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HIT A TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.. DUE TO A CONCUSSION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120915

Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260420

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY NOTICED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210105

STEERING

2 of 15 total reports mention: steering.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 of 15 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.

Show complaint excerpts

Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260420

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A CHECK AND RESET. THE CAR HAS A LOST OF POWER AND RUNS REAL SLOW THAN ITS LIKE THE PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED. THIS IS THE CODE I KEEP GETTING. P0420 CODE BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER

NHTSA ODI report, 20190107

AIR BAGS

2 of 15 total reports mention: air bags.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140908

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20101119 — electrical system

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. I

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC A

Campaign 10V553000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140923 — 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 23, 2014.

Campaign 14V355000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Cadillac DTS — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for steering issues (2 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 10V553000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 14V355000 (electrical system) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac DTS?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.