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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.

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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
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENTS RE COPY OF LETTER TO MARY BARRA, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), GENERAL MOTORS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH AFTER SERVICE CARE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE DEALER INS…

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S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENTS RE COPY OF LETTER TO MARY BARRA, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), GENERAL MOTORS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH AFTER SERVICE CARE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND ASSURED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS DEPENDABLE. ON MAY 27, 2014 THE CONSUMER FELT A MILD VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THE BALANCE WAS OFF, BUT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JUNE 15, 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN A ROUGH TICKING SOUND AND FELT A SHUDDER THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. HE GENTLY BRAKED AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AGAIN, AND BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE THUMPING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND A LOUD BANG AND HEAVY VIBRATION, WAS FLT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE VIBRATION TEAR IN THE CLOTH SHIELD HE DISCOVERED, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BROUGHT TWO OF THE FOUR THAT HELD THE DRIVE SHAFT TOGETHER TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VIBRATION TEAR WAS A CIGARETTE BURN, AND THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BEARING FAILURE WERE ISSUES ADDRESS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS LOW PITCHED WHISTLE DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION, WHICH HE DID NOT HEAR WHEN HE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LIGHT WEIGHT OIL/FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. HE NOTICED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION RANGE HAD DROPPED FROM 17-18 MPG TO 15 MPG. THE REAR END FELT LESS STABLE AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHIFT WHEN COMING OFF DRIVEWAYS OR OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. (2011 CADILLAC CTS).

NHTSA ODI #10614444

40,500 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Exterior Lighting

BOTH REAR TAILLIGHTS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE BODY AT THE TOP. THERE IS A GAP OF APPROX. 1/4-3/8 INCH FROM THE TOP PEAK OF TAILLIGHT TO BODY. THIS IS ON A 2011 CADILLAC CTS AWD LUXURY WAGON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609673

20,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Exterior LightingStructure

BOTH REAR TAILLIGHTS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE BODY AT THE TOP. THERE IS A GAP OF APPROX. 1/4-3/8 INCH FROM THE TOP PEAK OF TAILLIGHT TO BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597040

33,602 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW DRIVE SHAFT AND PINION SLANG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW DRIVE SHAFT AND PINION SLANG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,602.

NHTSA ODI #10596084

17,400 miles · May 24, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

DRIVING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN IGNITION KEY, ONLY A FOB. THE ENGINE IS 3.6 CTS 4. I DROVE 2 MILES BACK HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE …

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DRIVING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN IGNITION KEY, ONLY A FOB. THE ENGINE IS 3.6 CTS 4. I DROVE 2 MILES BACK HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL A RESOLUTION IS OBTAINED FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593880

500 miles · May 16, 2014
SteeringWheels

WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WE NOTICED A PRONOUNCED THUMP THAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORRISOME. WE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS WHO SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THE…

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WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WE NOTICED A PRONOUNCED THUMP THAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORRISOME. WE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS WHO SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING UP TO THIS DATE. THE THUMP IS SO GREAT WE WONDER IF IT IS NOT DAMAGING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588963

27,000 miles · May 2, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME EVERY MORNING, I ACCELARATE FROM 45 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 65 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH 2 FRONT FLAT TIRES) AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MOST OF THE TIME IT FLASHES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SOMETIMES ENGI…

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WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME EVERY MORNING, I ACCELARATE FROM 45 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 65 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH 2 FRONT FLAT TIRES) AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MOST OF THE TIME IT FLASHES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SOMETIMES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. CAR LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER ON APRIL 27TH 2014 WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS EVERY MORNING ONLY. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND SAID THEY RESOLVED PROBLEM. EXACTLY 2 DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY BUT NOT ON A DAILY BASIS. NOT SURE IF THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER NOW THAT IT IS NO LONGER WINTER. I WILL BE MAKING MY THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THIS SAME ISSUE :SHAKING CAR, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586247

2,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

DUE TO THE RECENT GM PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON MY 2011 CADILLAC CTS AS I AM NOT HEARING MY CAR MENTIONED FOR RECALL. TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE CTS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH FLIPPI…

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DUE TO THE RECENT GM PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON MY 2011 CADILLAC CTS AS I AM NOT HEARING MY CAR MENTIONED FOR RECALL. TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE CTS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH FLIPPING. NO SOUND WAS MADE BUT SIMPLY EVERYTHING LOST ALL POWER AND FORCED ME TO COAST INTO TRAFFIC...TWICE!! I THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO TRY AND RESTART IT WITH NO LUCK. IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURNOVER. I HAD TO COME TO A FULL STOP (COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER HAVING TRAFFIC FLY BY ME ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY) AND THEN THE CAR WOULD RESTART LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE CTS TO KEN DIXON CHEVY/CADILLAC (NOW WALDORF CADILLAC) IN WALDORF, MD AND ALSO TO CAPITOL CADILLAC IN GREENBELT, MD. THE TECHS TOLD ME THE CAR SHOWED NO ERRORS ON THE COMPUTER AND ALSO THEY COULD FIND NO FAULT ON THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. ONE TECH DID MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT A HEAVY KEYCHAIN COULD CAUSE THIS. I PASSED HIM MY KEYS AND HE SAID THAT MY KEYS CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T CAUSE THAT DUE TO THE LIGHT WEIGHT. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AND THIS LATEST NEWS FROM GM HAS ME VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN WASHINGTON, DC TRAFFIC AND PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT DAILY RISK. I POSTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE EDMUNDS.COM CADILLAC CTS CAR FORUM IN MARCH OF 2012. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10583019

18,932 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RUBBER RESISTANCE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE PEDAL WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RUBBER RESISTANCE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,932. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10574928

45,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561905

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.