Home · 2011 Cadillac Cts-v · Complaints

What 108 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Cadillac Cts-v

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (108)Crash / fire / injury (16)Airbags (25)Transmission & drivetrain (25)Electrical system (20)Engine (13)Steering (11)Body & structure (9)Lights (8)Brakes (6)Speed control (6)Seats (4)

Newest first · 108 complaints · page 2 of 5

Feb 20, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT ALL SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOWER SPEEDS AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE DIC THAT READS "SERVICE POWER STEERING" NO VISIBLE CAUSE CAN BE FOUND. FLUID LEVELS ARE IN SPEC. TIRE PRESSURE IS IN SPEC. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT LOW SPEED, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEED, STEERING BECOMES STIFF EFFECTING CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11181470

Jan 7, 2019Electrical systemLights

I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 CADILLAC CTS4 IN AUGUST 2012 FROM HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC IN LYNNFIELD MA. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS VIRTUALLY ALL (TENS OF THOUSANDS!) CADILLAC CTS AND SRX VEHICLES BUILT SINCE 2008. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I NOTICED THAT CONDENSATION APPEARED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AFTER DRIVING IN OR PARKING IN THE RAIN. THE CONDENSATION WOULD NATURALLY EVAPORATE DURING EVAPORATE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. OVER TIME, THE LOW BEAMS BECAME DIMMER AND DIMMER. THEY HAVE BECOME SO DIM THAT DRIVING IN OTHER THAN WELL-LIT AREAS IS DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED THE MIKE ANAGNOS, SERVICE MANAGER AT HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC. I PRESENTED THE PROBLEM TO HIM. WITHOUT INSPECTING THE CAR, HE STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO HEADLIGHTS COST WOULD BE $1400.00. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY WATER INGRESS TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS TO CORRODE AND 'MELT'. HE OFFERED NO FURTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY TWO HEADLIGHTS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE CAR'S BLUEBOOK VALUE. I ASKED HIM IF THE CORRODED WIRING THAT MELTED PRESENTED A FIRE HAZARD. HE DID NOT REPLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PRESENTS A RISK OF UNDER-HOOD FIRE. IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON CTS OR SRX DIM HEADLIGHTS, YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE OUTRAGEOUS COST TO REPAIR. SEE ALSO CADILLACFORUM.COM AND JUSTANSWERS.COM MY RESEARCH INDICATED THAT WHEN CADILLAC REPAIRS THESE VEHICLES, THEY USE THE SAME PARTS THAT WERE USED WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT...VIRTUALLY GUARANTEEING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND A FIRE RISK FROM THE 'MELTED' WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI 11164973

Dec 3, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS-V. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CITY CHEVROLET (5101 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED INSIDE THE SEAT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11155695

Oct 22, 2018Airbags

AIRBAG SENSOR DETECTS PROBLEM WITH PASSAGER AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11141726

Oct 8, 2018Lights

PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012 FROM CAMARGO CADILLAC IN CINCINNATI,OHIO VECHILE HAS 41,000 MILES AND WELL TAKEN CARE,IN 2015 NOTICED HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAVING A LOT OF CONDENSATION.TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD CAR OUT OF WARRENTY. 6 MONTHS LATER DRIVERS SIDE DOING SAME THING. TOLD IT WOULD COST 2800.00 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. IF I HAD KNOWN THESE HEADLIGHTS WAS SUCH A PROBLEM WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED VECHILE. AT THIS TIME DRIVERS SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT IS OUT. THE LIGHTS ARE CALLED HID/XENON LEDS.

NHTSA ODI 11139127

Sep 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V341000 (POWER TRAIN) ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11130585

Sep 12, 2018Lights

HEADLIGHTS DIMMING OVER TIME. CAR IS BARELY DRIVABLE AT NIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND WIRING HARNESS. STATED THAT WIRING HARNESS WAS LIKELY MELTED. I ESTIMATE THAT HEADLIGHTS WILL BE AT TOTAL FAILURE BY 12/31.18. DEALER WANTS $1200+ TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. CADILLAC REFUSES WARRANTY SUPPORT. AT LEAST TWO CLASS ACTION COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED IN USDC. FIRE RISK! FIRE RISK! FIRE RISK!

NHTSA ODI 11129174

Aug 13, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2011 CTS-V REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS NOW FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST OFF, MY CAR HAS BEEN BABIED AND EXTREMELY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THE DIFFERENTIAL FIRST FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 17,500 MILES AND NOW THIS SECOND TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 38,900 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS STARTED TO MAKE WHINING AND/OR GROWLING NOISES THAT PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE. MY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FIRST ONE AND HAS HAD THE SECOND ONE BACK ORDERED NOW FOR 2 MONTHS (NONE IN INVENTORY & NO ESTIMATED SHIPMENT). THIS IS A WELL REPORTED ISSUE (109 OCCURRENCES FOUND ON LINE) FOR THESE CARS. WHY HAS CADILLAC NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND AFFECTED A FIX? WHAT ARE THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION RESULTS?

NHTSA ODI 11119736

Aug 9, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

MY CTS-V CURRENTLY HAS 56,000 MILES AND VERY WELL CARED FOR. MY PROBLEM STARTED AT 25,XXX MILES WITH A REAR SEAL LEAK, IT WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AND 9 MONTHS LATER STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. AFTER THE 4TH TRIP TO THE DEALER, THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME IT'S THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS A 'KNOWN ISSUE' (WITH RECALLS ON THE EARLIER CTS-V'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS) THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM IS THERE ARE NO REAR DIFFERENTIALS! GM HAS DISCONTINUED THE PART ( MY CAR IS 6 1/2 YEARS OLD AND THEY MADE THIS CAR THROUGH 2015 AND GM SAYS THE PART IS DISCONTINUED! THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE CARE IS 'UNSAFE' TO DRIVE AND SUGGEST I PICK THE CAR UP ON A FLAT BED TRUCK AND TAKE BACK HOME AND GARAGE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11118828

Mar 19, 2018AirbagsBrakes

"CADILLAC RECALL" THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND AT TIMES THE CAR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE PRESSED. AS A RESULT, I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO FIND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. IN ADDITION, RECALLS AND ISSUE WITH THIS CAR HAVE MADE THE NEWS.

NHTSA ODI 11080285

Feb 20, 2018Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ON MARCH 25, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN BUICK OF TROY (1810 MAPLELAWN, TROY, MI 48084 (248), 643-0070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ON FEBRUARY 15, 2018, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3904418827. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,532. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11073878

Jan 9, 2018AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC (1810 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI 48084, 248-643-0070), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11061363

Nov 30, 2017AirbagsSeat belts

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER BEING PRESENT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER DETECTION MODULE WAS GOING OUT AND WHEN THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED MEANING THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT....I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS MODULE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE MODULE DETECTS THE WEIGHT OF THE PERSON TO DETERMINE IF THE PERSON WEIGHS ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS...IF AIRBAGS ARE A REQUIREMENT SHOULD THEM WORKING ALSO BE A REQUIREMENT.....I WAS THAT NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED FOR NHTSA TO ISSUES A RECALL. THAT'S LIKE SAYING NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11051381

Oct 25, 2017AirbagsBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. BENTLEY CADILLAC IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA 35630 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND STATED THAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE BRAKES OR THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11039819

Sep 20, 2017Steering

CAR MAKING CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING, CAR IS LIKE BRAND NEW 37,000 ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ODI 11024737

Aug 3, 2017

FIRST, PLEASE KNOW THE CAR IS A 2011 IN MINT CONDITION...STILL SMELLS NEW. I ONLY HAVE 19,500 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT SPENDS MOST OF ITS LIFE AS A GARAGE QUEEN AS IT IS MY DREAM CAR AND STAYS PROTECTED. TRUNK GETS SATURATED EVERY TIME WATER (RAIN, HOSE, ETC) GETS ON IT WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING STILL. I PULLED THE FABRIC PANELS OUT OF THE TRUNK AND FOUND WATER LEAKING IN AT THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT (6 BOLTS AND 3 ALIGNMENT PINS) AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LAMP (3 SCREWS, 1 WIRING HARNESS, AND A BODY PLUG). THAT'S 14 PENETRATIONS THAT WERE LEAKING. GM ASKED THAT I PAY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE (WHICH I HAD ALREADY DONE BUT I OBLIGED ANYWAY) AND TO SEND THEM THE REPORT AND INVOICE. I DID THIS AND INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE WATER LEAKS. DEALERSHIP WANTS $1,380.08 TO CORRECT THIS BY REPLACING 3RD BRAKE LIGHT, ADDING GROMMET KIT, AND REPLACING DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LAMP. GM ONLY OFFERED A $100 VOUCHER TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR BUT WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI 11012466

Aug 3, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

PLEASE KNOW THE CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS MY DREAM CAR AND STAYS WELL KEPT IN MY GARAGE. IT ONLY HAS 19,500 MILES ON IT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINES OR HOWLS BETWEEN 40-70MPG WHEN UNDER LIGHT LOAD (LIKE CRUISING OR USING CRUISE CONTROL) IN 4TH, 5TH, AND 6TH GEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11012469

Jun 1, 2017Fuel system

GASOLINE LEAK FROM THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND UPON LOOKING UNDER MY CAR, NEAR THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, I FOUND A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. I COULD SEE GASOLINE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. I RESEARCHED ON THE CTSVOWNERS.COM FORUM AND RATHER QUICKLY FOUND OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE, THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY (PART# 19207950) HAD TO BE REPLACED. I THINK THIS WARRANTS A RECALL, BECAUSE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS SO HEAVY IT MIGHT CAN IGNITE IN A GARAGE AND POTENTIAL DANGER FROM CATCHING FIRE WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO THE PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST. EACH OF THE CARS I READ WITH THE SAME ISSUE, ALL HAD LESS THAN 50K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10992616

Apr 13, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

THE GM REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS 2011 CADILLAC CTS I OWN. NHTSA DID AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE REAR DIFFERENTIALS TO INCLUDE THE 2004 TO 2007 REAR ENDS. THE SAME REAR END IS ON CADILLAC STS, CTS-V AND THESE REAR ENDS WERE CONTINUED TO BE PLACED BY GM, WITHOUT FIX, IN CADILLAC CTS UNTIL 2013. SAME DESIGN, SAME MECHANICAL PARTS. MY CAR IS A 2011 THAT JUST HAD A NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL FROM GM PUT IN TO SOLVE ITS ISSUES. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE SAME PROBLEMS EXIST WITH A ROARING AND THUMPING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY REPAIR SHOPS COMING FROM THE OLD AND NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THESE ISSUES ARE EITHER WITH THE SIDE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER BEARINGS AND/OR THE RING AND PINION SYSTEM. GM HAS NEVER PROVIDED A FIX EXCEPT TO RECOMMEND A DIFFERENT VISCOSITY OF FLUID THAT ONLY QUIETENS DOWN THE NOISE. EVENTUALLY, THE REAR ENDS HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND HAVE CAUSED, AS INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA, THE CAR TO SPIN AND INJURY OR WORSE RESULT. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED BY GM AND THEY CONTINUE TO SELL AND INSTALL REAR DIFFERENTIALS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX. I DISCUSSED THIS ALSO AT LENGTH WITH SERVICE MANAGER OF SEWELL CADILLAC IN DALLAS TEXAS AND THEY STATE THAT THEY REPLACE THESE REARS ALL OF THE TIME AND THAT THERE IS NOT FIX FOR THEM BY GM. I HAVE ENCLOSED MY COMPLAINT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT PUT THE NEW GM REAR END ON MY CAR WITHOUT EXERCISING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND RESEARCH AS TO INSTALLING A MAJOR COMPONENT ON A CAR FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX BY GM AND THE DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF A FAILURE THAT WOULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 10972288

Dec 20, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VEHICLE ENTERS A MODE AT RANDOM THAT ABRUPTLY REDUCES AND INHIBITS OR STOPS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. AS IN MY CASE, I WAS INMOST STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND FORWARD MOMENTUM AS I INITIATED A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION FROM ONE MAJOR ARTERY ONTO ANOTHER DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED OF NOT FOR THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE ENTERING THIS MODE. ON ANOTHER INSTANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES TO OVERTAKE A VEHICLE, THE CAR ENTERED THIS SAME MODE, AND WAS ALSO ALMOST STRUCK BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN DECELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON A MAIN ARTERY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AS WELL, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED IN THIS INSTANCE AS WELL DUE TO THE OTHER VEHICLES ABILITY TO BRAKE AND VEER AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10936624

Aug 31, 2016Airbags

THE CAR AIRBAG HARNESS FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH PART 20973030 . I WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE CAR HAS LIMITED MILES ON IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE CTS HARNESS SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST WITH OTHER SIMILAR AIRBAG PROBLEMS GENERAL MOTORS CURRENTLY HAS. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10899803

Jun 28, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 10881263

Jun 21, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSING MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 10875548

Apr 22, 2016Airbags

SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE. AFTER DOUBLE CHECKING THE WIRING UNDER PASSENGER SEAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF BUT THEN CAME BACK ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. RINSE AND REPEATED THE SCENARIO MULTIPLE TIMES. OBVIOUSLY THE SAME PROBLEN FOR WHICH OLDER MODELS WERE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 10860924

Apr 19, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PULL A LEVER TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 10860331

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Working with the data? Download all 108 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Cadillac Cts-v verdict →