Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Cadillac CTS, the most recent reported on July 2, 2014 (Electrical system: ignition). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (23 complaints), followed by power train (22).

How many 2011 Cadillac CTS complaints mention a crash or fire?

11 of 101 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems

2 recalls and 101 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Cadillac CTS.

recalls

101

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Cadillac CTS recalls

Electrical system: ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 554,328 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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 · Power train: driveline, driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 14V341000 · reported June 19, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 16,932 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags23
Power train22
Electrical system20
Engine13
Steering11
Structure9
Exterior lighting8
Service brakes6
Vehicle speed control6
Seats4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 28, 2025 · Electrical system · 162,290 miles
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…

May 16, 2025 · Structure · 153,000 miles
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…

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…

Oct 1, 2024 · Structure · 100,000 miles
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…

Nov 22, 2023 · 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…

CTS model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2008	2	175	12	3
2009	5	167	10	0
2010	3	67	2	1
2011	2	101	11	3
2012	2	65	6	0
2013	2	73	10	0
2014	6	146	4	0

Across all years, the 2003 CTS has the most complaints (313). All Cadillac CTS years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Cadillac CTS, the most recent reported on July 2, 2014 (Electrical system: ignition). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?: Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (23 complaints), followed by power train (22).
How many 2011 Cadillac CTS complaints mention a crash or fire?: 11 of 101 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 28, 2025.