Is the 2011 Cadillac STS reliable?

The 2011 Cadillac STS has 9 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Cadillac STS?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (3 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Cadillac STS?

No recalls have been issued for the 2011 Cadillac STS.

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

The 2011 Cadillac STS gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Cadillac STS 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 STS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Cadillac STS has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is electrical problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: dash lights fail to come up upon start - sporadic in march 2013, chronic in november to present back up sensors malfunctioning - january 2014 to present power windows go up and down - sporadic jan 2014 cd/radio volume exceptionally high and then re-adjusts itself headlights turn off when they sh.

1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

33%

• DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO COME UP UPON START - SPORADIC IN MARCH 2013, CHRONIC IN NOVEMBER TO PRESENT BACK UP SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING - JANUARY 2014 TO PRESENT POWER WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN - SPORADIC JAN 2014 CD/RADIO VOLUME EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND THEN RE-ADJUSTS ITSELF HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THEY SH
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION, AND THE BACK UP SENSORS CHIMED WITHOUT ANY OBJECT BEHIND THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART T
• WE OWN A 2011 CADILLAC STS. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT THE HOUSE SHAKE. MY WIFE WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WAS SO HARD SHE COULD NOT PRESS THE PEDAL DOWN. TO AVOID A CRASH SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE TO KEEP IT FROM G

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO COME UP UPON START - SPORADIC IN MARCH 2013, CHRONIC IN NOVEMBER TO PRESENT BACK UP SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING - JANUARY 2014 TO PRESENT POWER WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN - SPORADIC JAN 2014 CD/RADIO VOLUME EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND THEN RE-ADJUSTS ITSELF HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THEY SH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Cadillac STS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/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 STS

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 STS, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO COME UP UPON START - SPORADIC IN MARCH 2013, CHRONIC IN NOVEMBER TO PRESENT BACK UP SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING - JANUARY 2014 TO PRESENT POWER WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN - SPORADIC JAN 2014 CD/RADIO VOLUME EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND THEN RE-ADJUSTS ITSELF HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THEY SH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY CARPORT AND APPLIED MY BRAKES IT WOULDN'T STOP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T MAKE THE CAR DO IT AGAIN. THE BRAKES WHEN I BACK UP STILL DOES NOT STOP MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY, UNTIL I STEP ON BRAKES 3 OR 4 TIMES. THIS IS FRIGHTENING. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 48 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER ATTACHMENT DEVICE SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANT TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG. THE PASSE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO COME UP UPON START - SPORADIC IN MARCH 2013, CHRONIC IN NOVEMBER TO PRESENT BACK UP SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING - JANUARY 2014 TO PRESENT POWER WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN - SPORADIC JAN 2014 CD/RADIO VOLUME EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND THEN RE-ADJUSTS ITSELF HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THEY SH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Cadillac STS — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 9
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 1
Injury reports: 2
Segment avg: 9

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Cadillac STS

Compare With

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