The Lemon Index
20101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,589 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Audi A32011 Lexus IS 272011 Cadillac CTS 63
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V355000 (electrical) and 10V553000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Cadillac sent dealers 1154 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…”?
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 8 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 →
In owners' words
The power steering gear has begun leaking, there has been no impact but there is a leak of power steering fluid.
2011 Cadillac DTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10584656
More owner reports
Steering column is locked in the most highest position. It can not be adjusted to any other position.
NHTSA complaint 10621379
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.8M views · 2006–2011 Cadillac DTS
Most-watched topics
- Cooling system170K views
2008 Cadillac dts water pump removal SPOILER ALERT ITS A NIGHTMAREWatch Jeremy Work · 84K views · 4 videos - Steering & suspension168K views
2006-2011 Cadillac DTS repair service suspension messagehome Donald Trump all day · 65K views · 5 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils144K views
2006 Cadillac DTS - How to replace spark plugsFroztinc · 73K views · 3 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door105K views
How to Replace Temperature Blend Door Actuator 2006-2011 Cadillac DTSTRQ · 61K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors101K views
How to Replace Bank 1 Sensor 1 Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2006-2011 Cadillac DTSTRQ · 47K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS77K views
How to Replace High Mount Third Brake Light 2006-2011 Cadillac DTSTRQ · 24K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors74K views
How To Replace Window Regulator 2006-2011 Cadillac DTSTRQ · 32K views · 3 videos - Starter, alternator & belts54K views
How to Replace Serpentine Belt Tensioner 2006-2011 Cadillac DTSTRQ · 29K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Cadillac DTS Sedan 1st Generation 2006-20111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 278K views
2007 CADILLAC DTS 4.6L (LD8), CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS (VERY EASY)PAULY'S AUTO · 9K views
2011 Cadillac DTS Hearse (Halloween Special) Start Up, Exhaust, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 448K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1154 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
- There are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle
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 the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may caus.
- Electrical · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES.
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 DTS 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac DTS year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Cadillac DTS years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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-dts/?y=2011" title="Cadillac DTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" 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-dts/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Cadillac DTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,589 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Cadillac DTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (50%), steering (25%) and body structure (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac DTS 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 DTS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Cadillac DTS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac DTS year is better than the 2011?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (a bit under half 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