Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2011 Cadillac CTS has 148 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (23 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (23 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (20 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Cadillac CTS?

The 2011 Cadillac CTS gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Cadillac CTS is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Cadillac CTS has 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is transmission problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased a new 2011 cadillac cts coupe. it continuously makes a groaning sound which appears to be coming from the rear part of the drive train. the dealer changed the differential fluid to correct the problem. however, the problem remains. i believe this sound is produced by a defective compon. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 11 crash reports 7 injuries

148

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

23 complaints

16%

• I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE. IT CONTINUOUSLY MAKES A GROANING SOUND WHICH APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I BELIEVE THIS SOUND IS PRODUCED BY A DEFECTIVE COMPON
• WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER, THE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED IN TWO. THIS HAPPENED WHEN A TECHNICIAN WAS MOVING THE CAR AFTER THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. ALUMINUM DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED AT A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD IN DRIVE SHAFT PIPE. *TR
• LOUD SUPERCHARGER GRINDING NOISE. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE. IT CONTINUOUSLY MAKES A GROANING SOUND WHICH APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I BELIEVE THIS SOUND IS PRODUCED BY A DEFECTIVE COMPON”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Cadillac CTS

Based on 118 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 38K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Later than typicalmedian 40K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Later than typicalmedian 56K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS19/06/2014

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 customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$4,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Cadillac CTS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2011 CTS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 148 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE. IT CONTINUOUSLY MAKES A GROANING SOUND WHICH APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I BELIEVE THIS SOUND IS PRODUCED BY A DEFECTIVE COMPON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN SPORTING MANNER WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS FIRED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ROLL OVER IMMINENT. SAFETY DEVICES WENT OFF COMPLETELY UNNECESSARILY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DISPLAYING A SPEED THAT WAS 4 MPH LESS THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED THAN HE WAS TRAVELING AT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED DISPLAYED WAS NOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: VEHICLE STALLED OR TRIED TO STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25-35 MPH APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MILES. WAS TOWED TO DEALER. ON 10-18-11 SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND ADVISED COMPLAINT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND HAD PERFORMED NORMALLY DU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)