AI Damage2011 Cadillac DTS: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Cadillac DTS filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 31% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 19% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 3 complaints (19% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Airbags did not deploy in a rear end crash. Seat belts may have failed as well. Car is located at an offsite strorage facility for insurance purposes. I suffered head trauma and a concussion. Bruising on my torse from what I believe was from the seatbelt.
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.
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
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.
Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt.
The contact took the vehicle to rizza cadillac buick gmc (8425 159th st, tinley park, [ZIP]; [phone]) and was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil from the engine. The contact was informed that the front and rear main seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
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
The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil onto the driveway. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to eddie tourelle's northpark hyundai (953 highway 190 n, covington, [ZIP], [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the rubber on the oil pan needed to be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the DTS has 66 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, air bags. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (25%), oil leak or consumption (19%), warning lights, check engine (19%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Cadillac DTS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.