NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
101 reports59,000 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS DIMMING OVER TIME. CAR IS BARELY DRIVABLE AT NIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND WIRING HARNESS. STATED THAT WIRING HARNESS WAS LIKELY MELTED. I ESTIMATE THAT HEADLIGHTS WILL BE AT TOTAL FAILURE BY 12/31.18. DEALER WANTS $1200+ TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. CADILLAC REFUSES …
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HEADLIGHTS DIMMING OVER TIME. CAR IS BARELY DRIVABLE AT NIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND WIRING HARNESS. STATED THAT WIRING HARNESS WAS LIKELY MELTED. I ESTIMATE THAT HEADLIGHTS WILL BE AT TOTAL FAILURE BY 12/31.18. DEALER WANTS $1200+ TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. CADILLAC REFUSES WARRANTY SUPPORT. AT LEAST TWO CLASS ACTION COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED IN USDC. FIRE RISK! FIRE RISK! FIRE RISK!
NHTSA ODI #11129174
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesUnknown Or Other
"CADILLAC RECALL" THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND AT TIMES THE CAR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE PRESSED. AS A RESULT, I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO FIND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. IN ADDITION, RECALLS AND ISSUE WITH THIS CAR HAVE MADE THE NEWS.
NHTSA ODI #11080285
37,532 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ON MARCH 25, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN BUICK OF TROY (1810 MAPLELAWN, TROY, MI 48084 (248), 643-0070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ON MARCH 25, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN BUICK OF TROY (1810 MAPLELAWN, TROY, MI 48084 (248), 643-0070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ON FEBRUARY 15, 2018, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3904418827. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,532. *TT *TR
NHTSA ODI #11073878
75,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Air BagsCrash
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. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SU…
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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. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC (1810 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI 48084, 248-643-0070), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #11061363
20,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. BENTLEY C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. BENTLEY CADILLAC IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA 35630 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND STATED THAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE BRAKES OR THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #11039819
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2017
Steering
CAR MAKING CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING, CAR IS LIKE BRAND NEW 37,000 ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA ODI #11024737
79,000 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Power Train
THE GM REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS 2011 CADILLAC CTS I OWN. NHTSA DID AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE REAR DIFFERENTIALS TO INCLUDE THE 2004 TO 2007 REAR ENDS. THE SAME REAR END IS ON CADILLAC STS, CTS-V AND THESE REAR ENDS WERE CONTINUED TO BE PLACED BY GM, WITHOUT FIX, IN CADILLAC CTS UNTIL 2013. SAME DESIGN, SAME…
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THE GM REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS 2011 CADILLAC CTS I OWN. NHTSA DID AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE REAR DIFFERENTIALS TO INCLUDE THE 2004 TO 2007 REAR ENDS. THE SAME REAR END IS ON CADILLAC STS, CTS-V AND THESE REAR ENDS WERE CONTINUED TO BE PLACED BY GM, WITHOUT FIX, IN CADILLAC CTS UNTIL 2013. SAME DESIGN, SAME MECHANICAL PARTS. MY CAR IS A 2011 THAT JUST HAD A NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL FROM GM PUT IN TO SOLVE ITS ISSUES. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE SAME PROBLEMS EXIST WITH A ROARING AND THUMPING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY REPAIR SHOPS COMING FROM THE OLD AND NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THESE ISSUES ARE EITHER WITH THE SIDE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER BEARINGS AND/OR THE RING AND PINION SYSTEM. GM HAS NEVER PROVIDED A FIX EXCEPT TO RECOMMEND A DIFFERENT VISCOSITY OF FLUID THAT ONLY QUIETENS DOWN THE NOISE. EVENTUALLY, THE REAR ENDS HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND HAVE CAUSED, AS INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA, THE CAR TO SPIN AND INJURY OR WORSE RESULT. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED BY GM AND THEY CONTINUE TO SELL AND INSTALL REAR DIFFERENTIALS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX. I DISCUSSED THIS ALSO AT LENGTH WITH SERVICE MANAGER OF SEWELL CADILLAC IN DALLAS TEXAS AND THEY STATE THAT THEY REPLACE THESE REARS ALL OF THE TIME AND THAT THERE IS NOT FIX FOR THEM BY GM. I HAVE ENCLOSED MY COMPLAINT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT PUT THE NEW GM REAR END ON MY CAR WITHOUT EXERCISING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND RESEARCH AS TO INSTALLING A MAJOR COMPONENT ON A CAR FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX BY GM AND THE DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF A FAILURE THAT WOULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #10972288
55,000 miles · Dec 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ENTERS A MODE AT RANDOM THAT ABRUPTLY REDUCES AND INHIBITS OR STOPS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. AS IN MY CASE, I WAS INMOST STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND FORWARD MOMENTUM AS I INITIATED A TURN AT AN …
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VEHICLE ENTERS A MODE AT RANDOM THAT ABRUPTLY REDUCES AND INHIBITS OR STOPS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. AS IN MY CASE, I WAS INMOST STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND FORWARD MOMENTUM AS I INITIATED A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION FROM ONE MAJOR ARTERY ONTO ANOTHER DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED OF NOT FOR THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE ENTERING THIS MODE. ON ANOTHER INSTANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES TO OVERTAKE A VEHICLE, THE CAR ENTERED THIS SAME MODE, AND WAS ALSO ALMOST STRUCK BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN DECELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON A MAIN ARTERY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AS WELL, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED IN THIS INSTANCE AS WELL DUE TO THE OTHER VEHICLES ABILITY TO BRAKE AND VEER AWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10936624
70,482 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Air Bags
THE CAR AIRBAG HARNESS FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH PART 20973030 . I WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE CAR HAS LIMITED MILES ON IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE CTS HARNESS SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST WITH OTHER SIMILAR AIRBAG PROBLEMS GENERAL MOTORS CURRENTLY HAS. THANKS [XXX] INF…
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THE CAR AIRBAG HARNESS FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH PART 20973030 . I WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE CAR HAS LIMITED MILES ON IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE CTS HARNESS SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST WITH OTHER SIMILAR AIRBAG PROBLEMS GENERAL MOTORS CURRENTLY HAS. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10899803
31,000 miles · Jun 28, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.
NHTSA ODI #10881263
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗