Model year guide

2011 Cadillac CTS

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2011 Cadillac CTS is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 217 on record.

2011 Cadillac CTS — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2011 Cadillac CTS at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints108
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$17,238

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2011 Cadillac CTS recalls 2

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #14V341000 · 19/06/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. 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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14233.

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V394000 · 02/07/2014

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) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2…

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 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2011 Cadillac CTS common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2011 Cadillac CTS safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2011 Cadillac CTS SW AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2011 Cadillac CTS MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,767

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2011 Cadillac CTS worth?

Low
$13,000
Typical price
$17,238
High
$20,800

From 214 comparable 2011 Cadillac CTS listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2011 Cadillac CTS costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,835
Depreciation (5 yrs)$12,350
Total$31,185
Per mile$0.42

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($17,238) with the same model 5 model-years older ($4,900), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2011 Cadillac CTS trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Luxury · Performance · Premium
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl

2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles on record

2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DG5EY0B0128155 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY1B0146018 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EY7B0170785 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DG5EY4B0123668 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DE5EY5B0164364 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DG5EY8B0165518 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY6B0163560 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Premium1G6DP5ED9B0115983 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY1B0150375 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EYXB0169842 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY3B0123727 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EY9B0151333 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Performance1G6DL5ED6B0167499 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Performance1G6DL5ED3B0135707 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY0B0111213 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EY0B0169610 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Performance1G6DL5ED9B0139986 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DA5EY9B0171524 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DH5EY1B0133071 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EY8B0157690 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Premium1G6DP5ED2B0155337 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Base1G6DC5EY8B0167765 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DG5EY5B0143329 2011 Cadillac CTS 2011 Cadillac CTS Luxury1G6DG5EY9B0104775

Other Cadillac CTS model years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

2011 Cadillac CTS — frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Cadillac CTS have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2011 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac CTS?

Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, power train.

What is the 2011 Cadillac CTS safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2011 Cadillac CTS crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac CTS get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2011 Cadillac CTS at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2011 Cadillac CTS worth?

Comparable 2011 Cadillac CTS listings run roughly $13,000–$20,800, typically around $17,238 (from 214 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.