Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Cadillac CTS, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 16 | 15% |
| Air bags | 13 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 9% |
| Engine | 6 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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. At the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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. The local dealer was contacted; however,
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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. Took out fuse to stop f
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a water leak. The contact noticed that the front driver's side seat, door arm rest and floor were significantly wet after rainfal
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My air bag light is on. I brought it to the dealer for repair. The dealer told me the airbag is unfixable due to the fact that the "Passenger seat presence sensor is broken and no longer manufactured". I now have a car t
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or r
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Heated seat when turned on caught on fire, burned me & the seat has burned leather. No warnings or lamps came on. It is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the "Service Air Bags" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac CTS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
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. Owners may contact Cadillac
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 agen
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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 16 of them (15%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.