Representative model. Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Cadillac CTS recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 108
Latest campaign: Jul 2, 2014

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	Jul 2, 2014	14V394000
Air bags	1	Jun 19, 2014	14V341000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 2, 2014Latest campaign


Jul 2, 201414V394000	Electrical system: ignition 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V394000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Jun 19, 201414V341000	Air bags If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V341000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V341000 · Jun 19, 2014

Jul 2, 201414V394000

Electrical system: ignition

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 14V394000

What's wrong: 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: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014

Jun 19, 201414V341000

Air bags

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 14V341000

What's wrong: 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: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V341000 · Jun 19, 2014

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 Cadillac CTS? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component108

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

108Complaints filed

11Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

6Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	25	23	5	0	3
Power train	25	23	1	0	1
Electrical system	20	19	1	3	1
Engine	13	12	1	1	1
Steering	11	10	1	0	0
Structure	9	8	1	0	1
Exterior lighting	8	7	0	0	0
Service brakes	6	6	2	0	0
Vehicle speed control	6	6	1	0	0
Unknown or other	5	5	1	0	0
Seats	4	4	0	1	1
Tires	4	4	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	3	3	0	1	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	3	0	0	0
Wheels	3	3	0	0	0

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

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.”
Filed 05/28/2025 · ODI 11663380
Structure
“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.”
Filed 05/16/2025 · ODI 11661438
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.”
Filed 10/03/2024 · ODI 11617805

Other Cadillac CTS model years

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2011 Cadillac CTS recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac CTS. The most recent, 14V394000 (reported July 2, 2014), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 25 complaints out of 108 filed with NHTSA (23%). Across all complaints, owners reported 11 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Cadillac recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Cadillac dealer.

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