Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Cadillac DTS 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: 16
Latest campaign: Jun 23, 2014

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	2	Jun 23, 2014	14V355000 10V553000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jun 23, 2014Latest campaign


Jun 23, 201414V355000	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 14V355000 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. 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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299. Campaign NHTSA 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014
Nov 5, 201010V553000	Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT… DetailsHide details for campaign 10V553000 What's wrong GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. Risk A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM. Campaign NHTSA 10V553000 · Nov 5, 2010

Jun 23, 201414V355000

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 14V355000

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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014

Nov 5, 201010V553000

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables

A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT…

DetailsHide details for campaign 10V553000

What's wrong: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign: NHTSA 10V553000 · Nov 5, 2010

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

Owner complaints by component16

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

16Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

6Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Electrical system	6	38	0	0
Engine	5	31	1	1
Air bags	3	19	3	5
Fuel/propulsion system	2	13	0	0
Steering	2	13	0	0
Seat belts	1	6	1	1
Latches/locks/linkages	1	6	0	0
Structure	1	6	1	1

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

Air bags
“Airbags did not deploy in a rear end crash. Seat belts may have failed as well. Car is located at an offsite strorage facility for insurance purposes. I suffered head trauma and a concussion.”
Filed 09/02/2026 · ODI 11761619
Electrical system
“Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked.”
Filed 04/20/2026 · ODI 11732561
Engine
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact stated that they noticed a leak underneath the front of the vehicle.”
Filed 01/05/2021 · ODI 11386616

Other Cadillac DTS model years

All years: 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006

Other Cadillac models

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2011 Cadillac DTS recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac DTS. The most recent, 14V355000 (reported June 23, 2014), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 Cadillac DTS recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 2 campaigns. Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

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

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 6 complaints out of 16 filed with NHTSA (38%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

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

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.

Check a specific Cadillac by VIN

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