Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

108 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
31

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 8premature wear 6
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11544014 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
22

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 4electrical shorts 3
A recent report: Water leaking in car like raining in car. The car radio and air conditioner panel wouldn’t turn off . It was draining batter after car would be turned off. Then after that water continues to leak…
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Water leaking in car like raining in car. The car radio and air conditioner panel wouldn’t 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 would fix problem. My friend that owns shop had to take seats and to find the water in bottom of car and wiring harness and BCM AND FUSE BOX AS WELL PROGRAMMING NEED TO BE DONE THIS AS WELL IS INFO FROM DIAGNOSIS FROM GOODYEAR. Everytime I get out of car just to turn off I would have to lift hood disconnect fuse and then disconnect battery cable . This in it self is unsafe to have to do. Cadillac was a dream car for me. It has become a nightmare. Cause this had been on going in other Cadillac made between 2008 and 2011 . I as well have videos of water in bottom of car and I have had to have car sealed to stop leaking only solution for now. Car is paid for. I NEED GMC TO JUST KNOW HOW UNFAIR IT IS FIR THEM TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK OF DANGER. Hopefully after 2011 GMC fixed this problem in on going CADILLAC CARS . I am JUST DISAPPOINTED IN THE CORPORATIONS DISREGARDED FOR PUBLIC SAFTEY. Once again I always loved CADILLAC. Had an opportunity to have one and it has been a nightmare . Causing anxieties and depression. Cause I didn’t understand what was happening. Thank you .AS WELL I HAVE VIDEOS AND UNABLE TO UPLOAD

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11617805 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

loss of braking 4
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 -35 mph, there was a rattling noise detected from the front end of the vehicle. The brake pedal was…
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The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 -35 mph, there was a rattling noise detected from the front end of the vehicle. The brake pedal was applied but, failed to respond and crashed into a 2018 Ford. There were no reported injuries or fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11450362 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 3premature wear 2
A recent report: WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT APPROX 45 MPH, GOING INTO A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT APPROX 45 MPH, GOING INTO A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED ME TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND LAUNCH INTO THE WOODS. NO INJURIES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR WAS BENT INTO A U SHAPE. NO IDEA WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11350850 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
17

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 8software faults 4
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11556532 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 1corrosion 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11661438 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 2 mention an injury.

premature wear 2airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11663380 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 108 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2025, roughly 7 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.