2011 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems

The 2011 Cadillac CTS has 2 recalls and 101 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

2011 Cadillac Cts
Photo: 2011 Cadillac Cts by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2011 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 17 CTS model years — 9th most.

2recalls
101complaints
11crashes
3fires
6injuries
40,500median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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2 recalls

Electrical System

Jul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 19, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V341000 · 16,932 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2010: 1 complaints20102011: 5 complaints2012: 7 complaints20122013: 8 complaints2014: 20 complaints2014202015: 16 complaints2016: 7 complaints20162017: 3 complaints2018: 7 complaints20182019: 9 complaints2020: 6 complaints20202021: 1 complaints2022: 4 complaints20222023: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints20242025: 2 complaints20252

2011 vs. other Cadillac CTS years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2011. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2011 Cadillac CTS, the latest from Jul 2, 2014 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (23), power train (22), electrical system (20). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.