What are the common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Owners filed 108 complaints with NHTSA. The power train and air bags groups lead with 25 complaints each, followed by the electrical system and the engine.

Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes, the by-year data lists 2 recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac CTS get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Owner complaints are one signal. NHTSA has 108 on file for this year, and they are unverified reports that are not adjusted for sales. Read the problem groups above and check the recalls before you decide.

Is 2011 a good year for the Cadillac CTS?

The by-year comparison section on this page shows how 2011 stacks up against the other years, using complaint and recall counts.

2011 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Cadillac CTS^[1]. The power train and the air bags lead the list with 25 complaints each^[2]^[3].

108owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[4]

14–21MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints about several parts of the 2011 CTS, and here are the biggest groups, largest first.

Power Train. 25 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a groaning noise from the back of the car that stayed after service, a broken drive shaft, and a gear that locked up while driving.
Air Bags. 25 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe a warning light that comes and goes, and side air bags that opened when there was no crash.
Electrical System. 20 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, a backup camera that sometimes fails to turn on, and a speedometer that shows the wrong speed.
Engine. 15 complaints^[7]. Owners describe stalling in traffic, strong shaking with a warning light, and loud noises from under the hood.
Steering. 11 complaints^[8].
Structure. 9 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 8 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 6 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 CTS is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V394), July 2014. About 554,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags (14V341), June 2014. About 16,932 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[5]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
CTS, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[14]	12 / 18 / 14	$5,850
CTS, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 19 / 16	$5,150
CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[16]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	16 / 25 / 19	$3,550
CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
CTS AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	16 / 26 / 19	$3,550
CTS Wagon, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[21]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[23]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
CTS Wagon, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[25]	14 / 19 / 16	$5,150
CTS Wagon, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[26]	12 / 18 / 14	$5,850

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[27]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%
SW AWD^[28]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%
4 DR RWD^[29]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%
SW RWD^[30]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.3%

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR AWD^[31], 2 DR RWD^[32].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Cadillac CTS with 3.0L 6-cylinder^[33]	265 hp
2011 Cadillac CTS with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[34]	300 to 304 hp
2011 Cadillac CTS with 6.2L 8-cylinder^[35]	550 hp

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	313	4
2004	229	7
2005	284	7
2006	272	7
2007	218	7
2008	175	2
2009	167	5
2010	68	3
2011	108	2
2012	67	2
2013	73	2
2014	146	7
2015	50	4
2016	31	4
2017	27	2
2018	8	2
2019	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the CTS show 108 complaints and 2 recalls for 2011^[4]. Among the 17 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 8 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (8) and the most are for 2003 (313)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 CTS?

The 2011 CTS has a spread of complaints across the power train, air bags, electrical system and engine^[2]^[3]^[6]^[7]. Some reports involve more serious events, with 11 mentioning a crash and 3 a fire^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a dealer whether any repair is still open on the car you are looking at.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?: Owners filed 108 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. The power train and air bags groups lead with 25 complaints each^[2]^[3], followed by the electrical system^[6] and the engine^[7].
Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?: Yes, the by-year data lists 2 recalls for this model year^[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac CTS get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?: Owner complaints are one signal. NHTSA has 108 on file for this year^[1], and they are unverified reports that are not adjusted for sales. Read the problem groups above and check the recalls before you decide.
Is 2011 a good year for the Cadillac CTS?: The by-year comparison section on this page shows how 2011 stacks up against the other years, using complaint and recall counts^[4].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Cadillac CTS

2004 229 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 284 complaints, 7 recalls
2006 272 complaints, 7 recalls
2007 218 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 175 complaints, 2 recalls
2009 167 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 68 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 this page
2013 73 complaints, 2 recalls
2014 146 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 50 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 31 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Cadillac CTS

Other Cadillac models from 2011

2011 Cadillac SRX 447 complaints, 7 recalls

All Cadillac models

Similar cars from 2011: midsize cars

2011 Buick Regal 280 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Cruze 732 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Ford Fusion 2,926 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 284 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 Mitsubishi Galant 3 complaints, 0 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Cadillac CTS (11 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,450). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
20 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,923). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,200). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,500). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,932). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V341, filed June 19, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CTS, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for CTS Wagon, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW RWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Cadillac CTS with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 265 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Cadillac CTS with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 300 to 304 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Cadillac CTS with 6.2L 8-cylinder: rated 550 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and fuel economy