The Lemon Index
201020122nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 BMW 3 Series 672011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 152011 Lexus IS 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,100 and 29,000 miles (3,400–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V394000 (electrical) and 14V341000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 1525 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engineering information-engine overheating, engine coolant temperature light on, gauge reads hot”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 41 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 29K miles (3K to 47K km) on the car (32 of all 41 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
S10 appropriate handling- letter to the secretary from constituents re copy of letter to mary barra, chairman and chief executive officer (ceo), general motors expressing dissatisfaction with after service care.
2011 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10614444
More owner reports
I don"t own the vehicle any longer - please stop sending notices to me -
NHTSA complaint 10638183
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1525 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engineering information-engine overheating, engine coolant temperature light on, gauge reads hot
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
- There may be a leak from the transmission
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac CTS SW AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac CTS 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac CTS 2 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac CTS SW RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac CTS 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac CTS 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$5,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2011" title="Cadillac CTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-cts/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac CTS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (27%), electrical (27%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have?
2 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac CTS get?
14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,100 and 29,000 miles (3,400–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $5,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works