NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsClear category filter162,290 miles · May 28, 2025
Electrical System
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 m…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11663380
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2024
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 unab…
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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 . Unhooking the battery and fuse only way to turn off car. Take car to good year for diagnostics and was told water in car ( this I know cause I see raining in car.) This problem has been on going for a few years with the raining. I being unknowing that this would happen. Unable to give Goodyear 4000 dollars to fix problem with no guarantee it would fix problem. My friend that owns shop had to take seats and to find the water in bottom of car and wiring harness and BCM AND FUSE BOX AS WELL PROGRAMMING NEED TO BE DONE THIS AS WELL IS INFO FROM DIAGNOSIS FROM GOODYEAR. Everytime I get out of car just to turn off I would have to lift hood disconnect fuse and then disconnect battery cable . This in it self is unsafe to have to do. Cadillac was a dream car for me. It has become a nightmare. Cause this had been on going in other Cadillac made between 2008 and 2011 . I as well have videos of water in bottom of car and I have had to have car sealed to stop leaking only solution for now. Car is paid for. I NEED GMC TO JUST KNOW HOW UNFAIR IT IS FIR THEM TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK OF DANGER. Hopefully after 2011 GMC fixed this problem in on going CADILLAC CARS . I am JUST DISAPPOINTED IN THE CORPORATIONS DISREGARDED FOR PUBLIC SAFTEY. Once again I always loved CADILLAC. Had an opportunity to have one and it has been a nightmare . Causing anxieties and depression. Cause I didn’t understand what was happening. Thank you .AS WELL I HAVE VIDEOS AND UNABLE TO UPLOAD
NHTSA ODI #11617805
100,000 miles · Oct 1, 2024
Electrical SystemStructure
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. Additional…
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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 stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the infotainment system, the heating system, the A/C, and the engine failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuse box and wiring needed to be replaced due to the electrical failure. The contact stated that upon disconnecting the battery and removing the fuse, the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that water was leaking onto the wiring on the floor. The sunroof drain was unclogged; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle remained with the mechanic, where it was undergoing additional water entry tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11617576
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2022
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury
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.
NHTSA ODI #11487718
45,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE AND RETURNING HOME I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NORMAL AS ALWAYS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I ENTERED MY HOUSE AND AS I WALKED PASTED MY KITCHEN …
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AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE AND RETURNING HOME I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NORMAL AS ALWAYS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I ENTERED MY HOUSE AND AS I WALKED PASTED MY KITCHEN WINDOW I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES SINCE FROM THE TIME I ENTERED MY HOUSE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THEN FIRE I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE FIRE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL OR A FUEL MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #11287619
60,600 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS4 IN AUGUST 2012 FROM HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC IN LYNNFIELD MA. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS VIRTUALLY ALL (TENS OF THOUSANDS!) CADILLAC CTS AND SRX VEHICLES BUILT SINCE 2008. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I NOTICED THAT …
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS4 IN AUGUST 2012 FROM HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC IN LYNNFIELD MA. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS VIRTUALLY ALL (TENS OF THOUSANDS!) CADILLAC CTS AND SRX VEHICLES BUILT SINCE 2008. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I NOTICED THAT CONDENSATION APPEARED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AFTER DRIVING IN OR PARKING IN THE RAIN. THE CONDENSATION WOULD NATURALLY EVAPORATE DURING EVAPORATE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. OVER TIME, THE LOW BEAMS BECAME DIMMER AND DIMMER. THEY HAVE BECOME SO DIM THAT DRIVING IN OTHER THAN WELL-LIT AREAS IS DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED THE MIKE ANAGNOS, SERVICE MANAGER AT HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC. I PRESENTED THE PROBLEM TO HIM. WITHOUT INSPECTING THE CAR, HE STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO HEADLIGHTS COST WOULD BE $1400.00. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY WATER INGRESS TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS TO CORRODE AND 'MELT'. HE OFFERED NO FURTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY TWO HEADLIGHTS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE CAR'S BLUEBOOK VALUE. I ASKED HIM IF THE CORRODED WIRING THAT MELTED PRESENTED A FIRE HAZARD. HE DID NOT REPLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PRESENTS A RISK OF UNDER-HOOD FIRE. IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON CTS OR SRX DIM HEADLIGHTS, YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE OUTRAGEOUS COST TO REPAIR. SEE ALSO CADILLACFORUM.COM AND JUSTANSWERS.COM MY RESEARCH INDICATED THAT WHEN CADILLAC REPAIRS THESE VEHICLES, THEY USE THE SAME PARTS THAT WERE USED WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT...VIRTUALLY GUARANTEEING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND A FIRE RISK FROM THE 'MELTED' WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA ODI #11164973
55,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PULL A LEVER TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART NEEDED TO BE REPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PULL A LEVER TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10860331
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2015
Electrical System
LETTER FROM SENATOR MARKEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2011 CADILLAC CTS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN IGNITION RECALL NOTICE IN THE SUMMER OF 2014. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THE DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY REMOVED THE OTHER KEYS FROM HIS KEY RING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10720910
65,100 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
MY CTS WAS IN A NON GM AUTHORIZED MECHANICS SHOP HAVING OIL CHANGE AND BRAKES DONE. WHILE WORKING IN THE CAR I ASKED TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT MY REAR ASSIST CAMERA. THE CAMERA AND WIRING TO THE CAMERA WERE ACTUALLY SMOLDERING AT THIS POINT. MY MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING AND THAT THE CENTRAL DRIVE SHAFT …
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MY CTS WAS IN A NON GM AUTHORIZED MECHANICS SHOP HAVING OIL CHANGE AND BRAKES DONE. WHILE WORKING IN THE CAR I ASKED TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT MY REAR ASSIST CAMERA. THE CAMERA AND WIRING TO THE CAMERA WERE ACTUALLY SMOLDERING AT THIS POINT. MY MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING AND THAT THE CENTRAL DRIVE SHAFT WAS BAD. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE SMOLDERING REAR ASSIST CAMERA, PUT THE CTS BACK TOGETHER AND I DROVE IT OVER TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WARRANTY WORK DONE ON TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE SHAFT. MY MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE SMOLDERING CAMERA AND GAVE IT TO ME IN A BUBBLE WRAPPED BAG ALONG WITH WIRE HARNESS. YOU CAN SEE WHERE FIRE OCCURRED ON THE CAMERA AND THE SMOLDERING WIRES. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CROWN CADILLAC GAVE ME THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION PHONE NUMBER WHICH I CALLED AND GOT A FILE NUMBER. I INFORMED GM ABOUT THE FIRE/SMOLDERING REAR ASSIST CAMERA AND WAS TOLD BY [XXX] AT THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION DEPARTMENT THAT SINCE THE REMOVAL OF THE CAMERA WAS NOT DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE CAMERA. I ASKED HER IF IT MADE SENSE TO LEAVE A PRODUCT IN THE CAR THAT WAS ON FIRE AND SMOLDERING? THIS PRODUCT COULD HAVE BEEN SMOLDERING FOR 30 DAYS WHEN THE REAR ASSIST CAMERA QUIT WORKING. MY CONCERN IS THIS, THE CAMERA HAD BEEN SMOLDERING FOR SOME TIME. THE CAMERA WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND AT ONE POINT OBVIOUSLY WAS IN FLAMES. I BELIEVE WE DODGED A BULLET THAT THE CAR DID NOT ERUPT IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED OUR 2000 CORVETTE AND F150 PLUS THE HOUSE ITSELF AS WE HAVE AN ATTACHED GARAGE. THE CTS HAS OTHER INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS SEAT HEATERS SOMETIME WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THE CAR WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF WILL CONTINUE TO RUN. AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692562
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical System
2011 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY RECALL. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REMEDY, WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A BAND-AID, TO COVER-UP A MUCH MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10653292
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 ↗