2011 Cadillac Cts problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (16) · Air Bags (12) · Electrical System (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Cts model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
81 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-02 · campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Air Bags 2014-06-19 · campaign 14V341000 · 16,932 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
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 customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.
Service bulletins (1,515)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,515 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-28 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 162,290 mi“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 registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 162,290.…”
2025-05-16 · Structure:frame And Members · 153,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. the contact stated that upon inspection underneath the frame rail, the contact became aware that there was rust on both sides of the vehicle. the local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the vin was not under recall. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified o…”
2024-10-03 · Electrical System“water leaking in car like raining in car. the car radio and air conditioner panel wouldn’t turn off . it was draining batter after car would be turned off. then after that water continues to leak. took out fuse to stop from draining battery but had to buy new battery. water continues to leak through car. now ignition switch unable to turn off car .…”
2024-10-01 · Structure · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a water leak. the contact noticed that the front driver's side seat, door arm rest and floor were significantly wet after rainfall. the contact stated that the failure later occurred on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. additionally, the contact stat…”
2023-11-22 · Air Bags“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". i now have a car that is fully functional aside from this issue and it's unsafe to drive. the dealer also refused to buy the car back from me for fa…”
2023-09-12 · Power Train · 165,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 14v341000 (air bags, p…”
2022-10-03 · Seats · 🔥 fire“heated seat when turned on caught on fire, burned me & the seat has burned leather. no warnings or lamps came on. it is available for inspection upon request. …”
2022-08-18 · Air Bags · 95,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. the contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. additionally, the "service air bags" warning light was illuminated. the contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. the contact was advised by the mechanic that the failur…”
2022-04-29 · Power Train“under previous gm safety recall bulletin 14233, loss of grease from the center constant velocity (cv) joint over time results in vibrations of the propeller shaft that are transferred to the roll over sensor located on the floor above it. the condition was repaired under this recall in 2014, three years after the vehicle was manufactured. it is now…”
2022-02-04 · Service Brakes · 45,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2011 cadillac cts. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 -35 mph, there was a rattling noise detected from the front end of the vehicle. the brake pedal was applied but, failed to respond and crashed into a 2018 ford. there were no reported injuries or fire. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to an …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.