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2011 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

101 reports
13,675 miles · Jun 24, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN SPORTING MANNER WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS FIRED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ROLL OVER IMMINENT. SAFETY DEVICES WENT OFF COMPLETELY UNNECESSARILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462922

500 miles · Feb 19, 2012
SteeringTires

WHILE IN REVERSE, FRONT STEERING SEAMS TO SKIP. IT FEELS LIKE A 4WD. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. THEY EVEN SHOWED ME A BULLETIN FROM GM THAT EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL AND TO DO NO REPAIRS. AFTER DRIVING 15,000 MILES, IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. AGAIN THEY TOLD ME…

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WHILE IN REVERSE, FRONT STEERING SEAMS TO SKIP. IT FEELS LIKE A 4WD. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. THEY EVEN SHOWED ME A BULLETIN FROM GM THAT EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL AND TO DO NO REPAIRS. AFTER DRIVING 15,000 MILES, IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. AGAIN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. WHILE THERE, THEY TRIED TO SELL ME NEW TIRES BECAUSE MY REAR TIRES ARE BALD. THEY SAID IT WAS FROM HIGH SPEED STARTS. I EXPLAINED THAT A 73 YEAR OLD PERSON(MY WIFE) IS NOT OUT DRAG RACING AND THERE FOR, THEY MUST BE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THEY CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES(THE MAKER OF THE TIRES) WHOM REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT STATED 15 TO 20 THOUSAND MILES ARE AVERAGE FOR THOSE TIRES. AT $500 EACH, I WOULD EXPECT TO GET MORE MILES OUT OF THE TIRES. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448466

80 miles · Feb 2, 2012
Unknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS INTO AND UP A RIGHT HAND DRIVEWAY THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF. IT DOES NOT CREAK GOING UP A LEFT HAND DRIVEWAY. THE CREAKING IS PREDOMINATELY AT THE REAR AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE SUNROOF. AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS THE CREAKING IS HEARD OVER MODERATE TO LARG…

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WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS INTO AND UP A RIGHT HAND DRIVEWAY THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF. IT DOES NOT CREAK GOING UP A LEFT HAND DRIVEWAY. THE CREAKING IS PREDOMINATELY AT THE REAR AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE SUNROOF. AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS THE CREAKING IS HEARD OVER MODERATE TO LARGE BUMPS. THE CREAKING HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE DAY 1 WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446328

7,000 miles · Feb 2, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI SPORT TRACK, SIZE 275/40/R19 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS EXHIBITING LOW AIR PRESSURE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI SPORT TRACK, SIZE 275/40/R19 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS EXHIBITING LOW AIR PRESSURE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT THE SAME TIRE LOCATION APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED03/15/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10446242

1,747 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE RADIO IN ACTIVATION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DURING THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE RADIO REMAINED IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE RADIO IN ACTIVATION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DURING THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE RADIO REMAINED IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,747. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL POWER TO THE DASHBOARD, STEERING AND BRAKES CEASED DURING THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING, BUT A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD HAD BEEN PERFORMED THAT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/24/12 THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/09/12

NHTSA ODI #10444625

3,350 miles · Oct 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED OR TRIED TO STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25-35 MPH APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MILES. WAS TOWED TO DEALER. ON 10-18-11 SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND ADVISED COMPLAINT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND HAD PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING A TEST DRIVE (APPROXIMATE…

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VEHICLE STALLED OR TRIED TO STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25-35 MPH APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MILES. WAS TOWED TO DEALER. ON 10-18-11 SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND ADVISED COMPLAINT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND HAD PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING A TEST DRIVE (APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE) AND VEHICLE COULD BE PICKED UP. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND PERFORMED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THEN STALLED TWICE WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH. VEHICLE AGAIN WAS TOWED TO SAME DEALER. ON 10-21-11 I WAS ADVISED PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED DURING A TEST DRIVE OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES. VEHICLE REMAINS AT DEALERSHIP PENDING A SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432519

10,500 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID PACE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND UNTIL THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITHIN MOMENTS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID PACE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND UNTIL THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITHIN MOMENTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,500.

NHTSA ODI #10429400

14 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Seats

RECARO SEATS SQUEAK AND ROCK IN THEIR MOUNTS. NOT SECURED PROPERLY. ANNOYING AND IF THE MOUNTS FAIL, THE DRIVER WOULD BE OUT OF POSITION AND CAR COULD CRASH. HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420787

429 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Electrical System

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED DISPLAYED WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

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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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED DISPLAYED WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED DISPLAYED WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 429. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/16/11

NHTSA ODI #10409047

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THIS CONCERNS THE PWM FREQUENCY USED ON MANY LED RUNNING LIGHTS BEING USED ON RECENT MODEL CARS. MY WIFE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO MANY OF THE NEW LED RUNNING LIGHTS AND REFUSES TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THEM. THE STROBING OF THE LED LIGHTS MAKES THEM APPEAR TO BE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS MAKES DRIVING BEHIN…

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THIS CONCERNS THE PWM FREQUENCY USED ON MANY LED RUNNING LIGHTS BEING USED ON RECENT MODEL CARS. MY WIFE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO MANY OF THE NEW LED RUNNING LIGHTS AND REFUSES TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THEM. THE STROBING OF THE LED LIGHTS MAKES THEM APPEAR TO BE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS MAKES DRIVING BEHIND THEM AND PASSING THEM VERY DIFFICULT FOR HER. I DON'T NOTICE IT BUT SHE DOES AND SHE WILL COVER HER EYES WHEN WE'RE OUT DRIVING AT NIGHT AND GET CLOSE TO THEM. READING ON THE INTERNET, SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO COMPLAINS ABOUT THESE LIGHTS. AS AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEER I UNDERSTAND HOW PULSE WIDTH MODULATED DRIVE CIRCUITS ARE USED TO CONTROL THE BRIGHTNESS OF LEDS AS WELL AS THEIR COLOR TEMPERATURE. HOWEVER, I SEE NO REASON FOR THE LOW FREQUENCY BEING USED IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS. CERTAINLY RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE AS TO WHAT PWM FREQUENCY IS ACCEPTABLE TO 99.9% OF THE POPULATION. I THINK THAT LEDS HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE, INCLUDING IN VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS, AND AM ALL FOR THEIR USE. HOWEVER, THEY NEED TO BE DRIVEN IN SUCH A WAY THAT DOESN'T COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398087

Official recalls

2

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

14V341000 · Air Bags; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

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.

Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.

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.

Air Bags

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.

Consequence: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.