The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 2 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints16filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 10V553000 · Nov 5, 2010 · 13,780 vehicles
Problem: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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 DTS 4 DR FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
11.1%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
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
DTS
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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*
Electrical system
6
0
0
0
—
Engine
5
1
0
1
73,000 mi
Air bags
3
3
0
5
—
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
1
0
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
1
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 7, 2026 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags Airbags did not deploy in a rear end crash. Seat belts may have failed as well. Car is located at an offsite strorage facility for insurance purposes. I suffered head trauma and a concussion. Bruising on my torse from what I believe was from the seatbelt. Car is totaled and no inspection has been done by a service center. Insurance will be doing a valuation of the value only. No warning lights or messges were visible prior to the accident.
Apr 5, 2026Electrical system Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.
Jul 1, 2019 · 112,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY NOTICED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RIZZA CADILLAC BUICK GMC (8425 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487; (708) 429-6600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR MAIN SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Dec 30, 2018 · 126,000 milesFuel/propulsion system CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A CHECK AND RESET. THE CAR HAS A LOST OF POWER AND RUNS REAL SLOW THAN ITS LIKE THE PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED. THIS IS THE CODE I KEEP GETTING. P0420 CODE BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Oct 16, 2018 · 76,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EDDIE TOURELLE'S NORTHPARK HYUNDAI (953 HIGHWAY 190 N, COVINGTON, LA 70433, (985) 801-7000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Jan 10, 2016 · 70,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Jun 1, 2015Electrical system 2011 CADILLAC DTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE DECIDED NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL, DUE TO THE FACT CHRYSLER IS NOT PROVIDING A PROPER SAFETY FIX. HOWEVER, HE DID REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL KEYS. *JB UPDATED 07/08/15.*JB
Feb 5, 2015 · 30,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags I WAS DRIVING SW ON DESIGN AND DID NOT SEE A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF DRAGON, IN DALLAS, TEXAS. AS A RESULT, MY 2011 CADILLAC DTS COLLIDED INTO (T-BONED) A 1995 OR 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. I WAS TRAVELING 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AT IMPACT AND NEVER SAW THE COLLISION COMING. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY COLLISIONS. THE COLLISION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE NISSAN). BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE NISSAN, BUT MY DTS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO THE SCENE, INDICATED THEY "COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF." NEITHER CAN I AND I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.