2011 Cadillac DTS Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 16 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 16 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 31.2%
ENGINE
4 25%
STEERING
2 12.5%
AIR BAGS
2 12.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 6.2%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 31.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 7 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Cadillac DTS
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 16 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 31% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2011 Cadillac DTS are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5), ENGINE (4), STEERING (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 14 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Cadillac DTS?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 7 of 7 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 Reports31% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION, THE DOORS WOULD FAIL TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
9/8/2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
9/16/2014
ENGINE
4 Reports25% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HIT A TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.. DUE TO A CONCUSSION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER I DO KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD ENOUGH WITH MY FACE AND CHEST TO BEND THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A SEVERE CONCUSSION, FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND FACIAL LACERATIONS DUE TO HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO MY INJURIES I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND THE HOSPITAL FOR NINE DAYS AND SPENT 20 DAYS IN A REHABILITATION FACILITY. I AM HOME NOW, STILL IN PAIN AND MOVING AROUND WITH THE HELP OF A WALKER. I HAVE OWNED CADILLACS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER ONE. IF THIS HAPPENED ONCE, WHAT IS TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. EXCEPT THIS TIME TO A FAMILY OF FOUR, INSTEAD OF A WIDOW TRAVELING ALONE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE IF THEY ARE NEEDED. *TR
9/15/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
2/10/2016
STEERING
2 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE POWER STEERING GEAR HAS BEGUN LEAKING, THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT BUT THERE IS A LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR
4/24/2014
STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED IN THE MOST HIGHEST POSITION. IT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED TO ANY OTHER POSITION. *TR
8/11/2014
AIR BAGS
2 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 2/27/15 *JS
9/8/2014
I WAS DRIVING SW ON DESIGN AND DID NOT SEE A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF DRAGON, IN DALLAS, TEXAS. AS A RESULT, MY 2011 CADILLAC DTS COLLIDED INTO (T-BONED) A 1995 OR 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. I WAS TRAVELING 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AT IMPACT AND NEVER SAW THE COLLISION COMING. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY COLLISIONS. THE COLLISION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE NISSAN). BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE NISSAN, BUT MY DTS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO THE SCENE, INDICATED THEY "COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF." NEITHER CAN I AND I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHY THIS OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT SEWELL COLLISION CENTER, 6303 CEDAR SPRINGS ROAD, DALLAS, TX (214) 956-3600 [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
2/7/2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
HIT A TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.. DUE TO A CONCUSSION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER I DO KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD ENOUGH WITH MY FACE AND CHEST TO BEND THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A SEVERE CONCUSSION, FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND FACIAL LACERATIONS DUE TO HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO MY INJURIES I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND THE HOSPITAL FOR NINE DAYS AND SPENT 20 DAYS IN A REHABILITATION FACILITY. I AM HOME NOW, STILL IN PAIN AND MOVING AROUND WITH THE HELP OF A WALKER. I HAVE OWNED CADILLACS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER ONE. IF THIS HAPPENED ONCE, WHAT IS TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. EXCEPT THIS TIME TO A FAMILY OF FOUR, INSTEAD OF A WIDOW TRAVELING ALONE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE IF THEY ARE NEEDED. *TR
9/15/2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION, THE DOORS WOULD FAIL TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
9/8/2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A CHECK AND RESET. THE CAR HAS A LOST OF POWER AND RUNS REAL SLOW THAN ITS LIKE THE PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED. THIS IS THE CODE I KEEP GETTING. P0420 CODE BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER
1/7/2019
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
Are complaints about the 2011 Cadillac DTS a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
Are complaints about the 2011 Cadillac DTS severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac DTS: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 16
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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