2011 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
148 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Cadillac CTS, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 32/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 45,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2011 sits among all CTS years
What owners report
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,140 and at the time of…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 CTS
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 114 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 38,404 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 61,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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.…
Fix: 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.…
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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
1,512 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2011 Cadillac CTS. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?
The 2011 Cadillac CTS drew 148 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 32/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2011 Cadillac CTS problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Cadillac CTS are electrical (28 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (23), and airbags (23).
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Cadillac CTS problems around 38,404 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 61,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.