The 2011 Cadillac Cts has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 571,260 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
POWER TRAIN14V3410002014-06-1916,932 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
If the roof rail air bags deploy unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of crash and injury to the occupants.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
23
5crashes3injuries
POWER TRAIN
20
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
1crashes3fires1injuries
ENGINE
13
1crashes1fires1injuries
STEERING
11
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
7
SERVICE BRAKES
6
2crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
1crashes
SEATS
4
1fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1crashes
Total complaints148
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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 time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,140 and at the time of…”
“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, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the vin was not under recall. The…”
“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 rainfall. The contact stated that the failure later occurred on the front passenger's…”
“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 rainfall. The contact stated that the failure later occurred on the front passenger's…”
“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 that is fully functional aside from this issue and it's unsafe to drive. The…”
“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 repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the…”
“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 repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Cadillac Cts as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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