2011 Cadillac CTS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 25 of 108 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 68 in 2010 to 108 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,850–5,550 | 2,950–5,550 | 2,950–5,550 | 2,950–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 14–22 | 14–21 | 14–21 | 14–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 25–26 | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–18 / 18–27 | 12–18 / 18–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 404–635 | 423–635 | 423–635 | 411–641 | |
| Complaints filed | 167 | 68 | 108 | 67 | 72 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Cadillac CTS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 25 of 108 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates it 14–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Cadillac CTS?
EPA estimates $2,950–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (14)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 26 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Show 1 more configuration
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 13 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 25 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Defect: 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 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
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 TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT; AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V341000 · Jun 19, 2014
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.