Problem: 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.
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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 14V341000 · Jun 19, 2014 · 16,932 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Components: Air bags; Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2011 Cadillac CTS SW AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2011 Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2011 Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2011 Cadillac CTS SW RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2011 Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.3%
2011 Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
CTS
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS Wagon AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
CTS
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
CTS
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
CTS
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
CTS Wagon
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Driveline › Driveshaft; Driveline
23
1
0
1
40,000 mi
Air bags
23
5
0
3
72,741 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
20
1
3
1
45,000 mi
Engine
13
1
1
1
39,673 mi
Steering
11
1
0
0
32,200 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
9
1
0
1
56,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
8
0
0
0
40,500 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
7
1
0
0
18,932 mi
Service brakes
6
2
0
0
28,980 mi
Seats
4
0
1
1
4,085 mi
Tires Sidewall
4
0
0
0
7,000 mi
Unknown or other
4
1
0
0
2,700 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 27, 2025 · 162,290 milesElectrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer 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 registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 162,290.
May 12, 2025 · 153,000 milesStructure › Frame and members 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 vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Jun 15, 2022Electrical system Water leaking in car like raining in car. The car radio and air conditioner panel wouldnât turn off . It was draining batter after car would be turned off. Then after that water continues to leak. Took out fuse to stop from draining battery but had to buy new battery. Water continues to leak through car. Now ignition switch unable to turn off car . Unhooking the battery and fuse only way to turn off car. Take car to good year for diagnostics and was told water in car ( this I know cause I see raining in car.) This problem has been on going for a few years with the raining. I being unknowing that this would happen. Unable to give Goodyear 4000 dollars to fix problem with no guarantee it…
Jun 1, 2024 · 100,000 milesStructure 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 side of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the infotainment system, the heating system, the A/C, and the engine failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuse box and wiring needed to be replaced due to…
Nov 6, 2023Air bags 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 dealer also refused to buy the car back from me for fair market value.
Sep 5, 2023 · 165,000 milesAir 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 repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Aug 12, 2023Air bags Airbag warning
Oct 2, 2022 · fire · 1 injurySeats 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.