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Vehicle safety record

2011 Cadillac DTS Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2011 Cadillac DTS with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (6) and the engine & cooling (5). Those complaints describe 4 crashes and 6 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 2014 for the ignition. For comparison, the 2010 has 22.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical DTS year, for its age

#185 most complained-about 2011 vehicle

Complaints
16
Recalls
2
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Deaths
0

Most common 2011 Cadillac DTS problems

Share of all 16 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2011 Cadillac DTS recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: ignition

14V3550003,141,731 vehicles 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) 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.
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. 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.
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 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.

Electrical system: cables

10V55300013,780 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

What owners say

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16 complaints about the 2011 Cadillac DTS

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

AirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

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. Bruising on my torse from what I believe was from the seatbelt. Car is totaled and no inspection has been done by a service center. Insurance will be doing a valuation of the value only. No warning lights or messges were visible prior to the accident.

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 11761619
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel 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. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11732561
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact stated that they noticed a leak underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to rizza cadillac buick gmc (8425 159th st, tinley park, il 60487; (708) 429-6600) and was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil from the engine. The contact was informed that the front and rear main seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11386616
Fuel system

Check engine light keeps coming on after a check and reset. The car has a lost of power and runs real slow than its like the problem never existed. This is the code I keep getting. P0420 code bad catalytic converter

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11165569
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil onto the driveway. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to eddie tourelle's northpark hyundai (953 highway 190 n, covington, la 70433, (985) 801-7000) where it was diagnosed that the rubber on the oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact was referred to nhtsa. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11154832
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. While having the vehicle serviced, the contact observed oil leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil pan gasket and motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10825447
Electrical system

2011 Cadillac dts. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch replacement parts not available to complete recall. *Smd the consumer stated he decided not to comply with the recall, due to the fact chrysler is not providing a proper safety fix. However, he did remove the additional keys. *Jb updated 07/08/15.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10723998
AirbagsCrash2 injuries

I was driving sw on design and did not see a stop sign at the intersection of dragon, in dallas, texas. As a result, my 2011 cadillac dts collided into (t-boned) a 1995 or 1996 nissan maxima. I was traveling 25-30 miles per hour at impact and never saw the collision coming. Prior to the accident, my vehicle had not been in any collisions. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles the front of my vehicle and the driver's side of the nissan). Both airbags deployed in the nissan, but my dts airbags...

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did not deploy. Both dallas police officers responding to the scene, indicated they "could not believe the airbags did not go off." Neither can I and I believe the nhtsa should investigate why this occurred. My vehicle is presently at sewell collision center, 6303 cedar springs road, dallas, tx (214) 956-3600 [[redacted]]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6) *js

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10681946
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10638462
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact stated received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign id number: 14v355000 (electrical system). However, the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10638136
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10633735
AirbagsCrash2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. While driving 55 mph, the contact's vehicle collided with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were two injuries and medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 2/27/15 *js

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10631586
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac dts. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. When the contact removed the key fob from the ignition, the doors would fail to lock and unlock intermittently. The dealer did not provide a specific date as to when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 10631458
Steering

Steering column is locked in the most highest position. It can not be adjusted to any other position. *Tr

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10621379
Steering

The power steering gear has begun leaking, there has been no impact but there is a leak of power steering fluid. *Tr

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10584656
Body, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

Hit a truck pulling a lowboy trailer stopped at a stop light.. Due to a concussion, I do not remember the details of the crash. However I do know that the air bag did not deploy and I hit the steering wheel hard enough with my face and chest to bend the steering wheel. I received a severe concussion, five broken ribs and facial lacerations due to hitting the steering wheel. Due to my injuries I was in intensive care and the hospital for nine days and spent 20 days in a rehabilitation facility. I am home now,...

Read the full complaint

still in pain and moving around with the help of a walker. I have owned cadillacs for the last 30 years. I will never drive another one. If this happened once, what is to say it won't happen again. Except this time to a family of four, instead of a widow traveling alone. I have photos of the damaged vehicle if they are needed. *Tr

Filed Incident Structure · EngineNHTSA 10475508

Cadillac DTS: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201116240Electrical systemA
201022330Electrical systemB
200935211Electrical systemB
200886366Electrical systemD
200797384Electrical systemD
All DTS years

2011 Cadillac DTS vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2011 Cadillac DTS

Does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Cadillac DTS: ignition (June 2014); cables (November 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

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

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (6), engine & cooling (5), airbags (3).

How many complaints has the 2011 Cadillac DTS had?

16 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 15, 2012 and the latest on September 2, 2026. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 76 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Cadillac DTS year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Cadillac DTS years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2011 Cadillac DTS has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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