2011 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Cadillac Cts: 2 recalls, 101 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V341000 · 2014 · 16,932 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V394000 · 2014 · 554,328 vehicles
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,…
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (23): the most common themes are warning light on (5), fails to deploy (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (22): the most common themes are noise or vibration (11), hard / delayed shifting (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Electrical (20): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), fire / smoke (4), leaks (3).
- Engine (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), noise or vibration (4), warning light on (3).
The 2011 Cadillac Cts has 101 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 130). Complaints peaked in 2014 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 40,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (67 complaints, 3 recalls), 2012 (65 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | Regular |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Cadillac Cts.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2011 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Cadillac Cts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (23), transmission & drivetrain (22), electrical (20).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Cadillac Cts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.