2011 Cadillac CTS Cadillac CTS 2011

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2011 Cadillac CTS repairs by problem area

Engine (16%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (12%)

Brakes and Traction Control (1%)

Suspension and Steering (24%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (11%)

Chart based on 95 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2011 Cadillac CTS.

2011 Cadillac CTS repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (22%)

< $100 (57%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 69 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Wagon

supercharged 556hp 6.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Cadillac CTS in California, United States
May 2018 - Jan 2022
Jun 2018

90000 mi
Supercharger replacement under GM extended warranty 
Cadillac CTS in Texas, United States
Sep 2012 - Jan 2022
Dec 2012

2000 mi
Clicking from front wheels, very common, new lug nuts installed by dealer and cleaned the brake hats. Problem is resolved and has not returned after 500 miles 
May 2014

15000 mi

US $4
Replaced both batteries in Key Fobs. Car would not "see" the key and thus not start. New batteries in the remotes fixed the problem. 
Jan 2018

51000 mi

US $100
Driver's side foglight burned out. Replaced with upgraded LED bulbs on both sides. Took about 1 hour in my garage. 
Aug 2019

64000 mi

US $500
Replaced rear shocks. Drivers was leaking badly, pass side was dry but mount was beginning to come apart (crumbling) 
Jan 2022

71000 mi

US $200
Windshield washer bottle split at seam. Part ordered and replaced by local shop. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Wagon

supercharged 556hp 6.2L V8 6-speed manual RWD

Cadillac CTS in Pennsylvania, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2023
Feb 2012

13800 mi
Replaced rear differential due to breakdown of lubricating fluid. Metal particles in fluid. Left rear axle boots leaking grease. Grinding noise in front left wheel. 
Dec 2012

22000 mi
Brake pedal pad fell off. Had them glue it back on. Probably my fault with my huge boots. 
Feb 2013

24200 mi
There was a grinding noise in the driveshaft. The dealer installed a spacer into the shaft, and it is perfectly silent again. I did not request this fix. The dealer noted it and applied the warranty repair, but the change is very noticeable. 
May 2013

28000 mi
Right rear shock was leaking oil. I had it replaced under warranty. 
Nov 2013

35000 mi

US $638
Windshield washer fluid hose fell out of front of car just behind the bumper. 
May 2014

39000 mi
Replaced the Magnetic shocks on both rear wheels. Replaced leaking axle seal. 
Sep 2015

54000 mi
Supercharger started whining. Required replacement of the supercharger and all related pieces. 
Feb 2018

83000 mi

US $2000
Driver's seat base broke and a motor gear was loose and clawing its way through the foam. It also failed to raise or lower the seat base. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Wagon

270-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Cadillac CTS in New Jersey, United States
Dec 2014 - Jul 2022
Dec 2014

24000 mi
Bluetooth continually drops phone connection. This is repeat issue from 6 mo after first acquired vehicle. Long drawn out convo with GM and eventually replaced Bluetooth module (again), told i shoul use certain model phones (BS response) 
Dec 2015

29000 mi

US $235
Rear taillight pulling apart from car. Outstanding issue since May but part BO for 4-5months 
Dec 2016

34000 mi

US $200
Coolant leak. Faulty water pump. R&R H2O pump and gasket 
Nov 2017

42000 mi

US $350
Service airbag light on intermittenly. Traced to short in wire on right rear door after harness cam loose and wires rubbed together 
Apr 2022

67000 mi

US $250
R&R Front passenger and driver lock actuators 
Jul 2022

69000 mi

US $700
Replaced rear shocks due to leaking 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

supercharged 556hp 6.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Cadillac CTS in Illinois, United States
Jun 2011 - Dec 2014
Sep 2011

8000 mi
electronic shock defective 
Cadillac CTS in Massachusetts, United States
Jun 2011 - Jan 2013
Jun 2011

1000 mi
2nd key fob was not working properly. Dealer replaced with a new one and reprogrammed both in 10 minutes. 
Jul 2011

1200 mi
Car developed a clicking sound coming from both front wheels when turning at any speed. Taken to dealer who stated that GM is aware of the problem and there is a TSB about the issue. Wheels removed, rotors and mating surface cleaned. Fixed Navigation map database is grossly outdated. Dealer attempted to fix, but was told MV had the latest update. Cadillac was contacted and was no help. I was advised to go to www.GMNAVDISC.com and complain in the feedback section. Really??? 
Dec 2011

4000 mi
Return of the notorious wheel clicking sound that GM is aware of but has not come up with a permanent solution to yet. Clean mating surfaces between wheel and hub and retorque lug nuts. Problem solved for now. GPS system was showing that it could not locate satellites, but showed the car in the correct position on the map. An update was done to the NAV system, but the issue is still there. Annoying, but not critical at all. Carpet in the drivers side footwell had pulled away from the plastic trim which made it stick out into the area around left foot. The carpet was resecured and problem was solved. Notice wheel balancing weights had fallen of front left rim. Dealer rebalanced all rims and tires. Problem solved. 
Aug 2012

5200 mi
During an extremely hot day the AC performance was subpar at best. Was told that the AC was good for bringing the temp down approximately 30* from the outside temperature. As the day was over 100* it was struggling to compensate. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

supercharged 556hp 6.2L V8 6-speed manual RWD

Cadillac CTS in Missouri, United States
Jul 2011 - Jan 2022
Dec 2012

17000 mi
Driver seat rocking and rattling 
Jun 2013

22000 mi
Sunroof rattles 
Sep 2013

23000 mi
Front passenger seat bottom replaced due to excessive seat movement. 
Aug 2014

27000 mi
Replaced supercharger 
Feb 2015

31400 mi

US $800
Throttle Body sensor failure 
Jun 2017

47000 mi

US $70
Tire pressure sensor teplaced 
Nov 2017

52000 mi

US $1200
Replaced both rear leaking shocks 
Jan 2022

75000 mi

US $980
Replace front strut 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

304-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Cadillac CTS in Texas, United States
Jun 2011 - May 2014
Nov 2011

15000 mi
Heat sensor stuck at -21 degrees F. Called dealer and drove car in. They replaced unit. Problem solved. 
Jun 2012

24000 mi
trunk opens. 
Aug 2012

28200 mi
trunk kept popping open 
Cadillac CTS in Louisiana, United States
Jul 2011 - Mar 2012
Aug 2011

7000 mi
Creaking noise at sunroof moulding at rear passenger. Took area apart added insulation at the sun roof motor. I dissagree this had anything to do with it. Will fix myself with either lube or cloth shims at plastic to plastic contact points. 
Cadillac CTS in Nevada, United States
Apr 2013 - Apr 2014
May 2013

26800 mi
sounds like door and trunk lock keeps going on and off while your driving the car still making noise like locks going on and off. update 1113: the looks still go on and off every once in a while and they still have found nothing to fix. 
Oct 2013

36700 mi

US $800
water pump broke. just let it cool down and was about 12 miles from dealer so we drove it with air-condoner on full and temp stayed about 200. 
Apr 2014

43000 mi
lock problem never fixed. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

304-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Cadillac CTS in Ohio, United States
Jun 2011 - May 2012
Sep 2011

11000 mi
Bought car w/ 2k miles with known intermittent no crank/no start. Took many trips and GM Engineer to finally fix with new starter relay. 
Cadillac CTS in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2011 - May 2018
Jun 2011

2356 mi
Slow leak in right rear tire traced to a defective wheel. Wheel replaced under warranty. 
Dec 2012

12400 mi
Driver's armrest was squeaking. Turns out the tabs that hold the upper part in place were broken off. Full armrest replaced under warranty. 
Oct 2015

28100 mi

C $524
Steering wheel was squeaking. Dealership tracked problem down to intermediate shaft and replaced it. Component failure at 45k kms. Bad on you General Motors. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

270-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Cadillac CTS in Washington, United States
Aug 2014 - Jun 2018
Dec 2015

50000 mi
It was a sensor related to the transmission. 
Feb 2018

72000 mi

US $1100
The seal on the headlight lamp failed and caused failure of headlights. 
Cadillac CTS in California, United States
Nov 2014 - Sep 2015
Sep 2015

30000 mi
Runs rough when air conditioner is on and idling. Will be going back, not fixed. 
Cadillac CTS in Georgia, United States
Jan 2014 - Jun 2022
Mar 2016

43000 mi
Windshield washer inoperative, traced to a blown fuse. 
Jun 2016

44000 mi

US $50
Windshield washer became inoperative. Wipers worked fine. Problem was a blown fuse in the washer pump circuit. 
Jul 2018

59700 mi

US $610
Engine idling too fast. Found one cylinder was misfiring. Replaced coil for cylinder and all spark plugs. 
Cadillac CTS in Texas, United States
Aug 2012 - Jun 2018
Jul 2013

48000 mi

US $202
car stopped after cranking up and engine light stayed on. Would not immediately crank up. After 60 seconds car started. car was taken directly to dealer. ECM changed (under warranty) and injectors cleaned. 
Nov 2017

107500 mi

US $35
The engine light stayed on after engine was running. A diagnostic check showed OBDII code P0496. Replaced the canister purge valve. This resolved the problem. 
Cadillac CTS in Quebec, Canada
Feb 2012 - Sep 2021
Mar 2013

11160 mi
L/F sway bar link loose. Light knocking over bumps. 
May 2013

12400 mi
Light knocking over bumps. Replaced both (left/right)sway bar link. 
Feb 2014

20120 mi
Tear in the leatherette of the driver seat bolster 
Aug 2014

24060 mi
Replaced the leatherette seat back cover (driver side). 
Apr 2015

28400 mi
Whinning sound in cold weather 60KMH and above. Sound stops after a few kilometers. Cause: noisy bearing. Right front hub replaced. Clunking in rear.Right/left rear knuckle replaced.Alignment done front and rear. Left front power door lock buzzes/inoperative in cold weather. Replacement of left front door lock/latch assembly. 
Mar 2016

34720 mi
Creaking noise from front, over bumps, right side-low speed-temperature below zero celsius. Cause:front sway bar bushings dry and worn. Bushing (insulator)ordered (3 weeks delivery???) Vehicle fully inspected before warranty expires.OK! 
Apr 2016

34720 mi

C $200
Rough idle at a stop. Check engine and stabilitrac lights on for a few seconds. Engine smoothed out. Cause:7081 poor coil output loading up sparkplug. #5 coil and sparkplug replaced. Front sway bar bushing installed. 
Jul 2016

36260 mi

C $120
Oil change and inspection. DexCool replaced (5 years). License plate light not functioning. Short in wiring harness. 
Oct 2016

37820 mi

C $200
Rattling noise over bumps.Installed two new front stabilizer links. 
Apr 2017

39330 mi
Rattle over bumps. Replace left front stabilizer link. 
Jan 2018

42506 mi

C $200
When cold out and vehicle goes over a dip in the road there is a creak noise heard from the front. Front sway bar bushings worn excessively. Replaced both bushings and re-assembled sway bar. Part number 22753226-insulator 072430. Check engine light is on. Improperly sealing vacuum from evap purge solenoid valve. Scan code P0496. Replaced the evgap purge solenoid valve. Part number 12610560- valve 031300. 
Feb 2018

42780 mi

C $200
ABS and traction control lights on. Humming type noise at lower speeds.Left rear hub, parts of ring missing (6573) code C0035. Replaced hub. After road test there was still a hum. After investigating the right front bearing had to be replaced. Parts #13580135 Hub 063070. Front caliper service (maintenance). 
Mar 2018

43400 mi
Surface rust and peeling paint appeared last fall underneath the back license plate. Trunk lid was repainted. Lights over back license plate inoperative. (7083) Rear trunk wiring harness open. Required rebuild of 4 harness wires. 
Sep 2019

49174 mi

C $50
Replaced bolts (corroded) between front and centre pipe (exhaust). 
Cadillac CTS in Delaware, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2013
Mar 2013

26000 mi
Driver seat covers replaced due to fading, craking, accessive wear. 
Jul 2013

29000 mi

US $130
front seat covers replaced. Leather cracking/peeling. 
Cadillac CTS in Illinois, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2013
Dec 2011

15000 mi
Starter will occasionally not activate. 
Jun 2012

17000 mi

US $500
loose connection to shifter caused computer to believe shifter not in park position, car would not start. Intermittent fault, took 4 trips over a year to diagnose. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan

270-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Cadillac CTS in Quebec, Canada
Feb 2017 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

32240 mi

C $350
no data 
Cadillac CTS in Illinois, United States
Sep 2017 - Apr 2018
Jan 2018

90000 mi
Took in because there was knocking sound in front suspension while turning at low speed driving. No problems found by dealer while test driving. Noise comes and goes periodically. 
Cadillac CTS in Ohio, United States
Oct 2011 - Jul 2013
Nov 2011 Rear passenger seat belt was defective, locked and could not pull it out. The dealer replaced it under waranty. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 2dr Coupe

supercharged 556hp 6.2L V8 6-speed manual RWD

Cadillac CTS in Colorado, United States
May 2016 - Jul 2016
Jul 2016

30000 mi
Rear differential whine under deceleration 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 2dr Coupe

304-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

Cadillac CTS in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2013 - Oct 2016
Jan 2016

36880 mi
Replaced front and rear sway bar bushings 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 2dr Coupe

304-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Cadillac CTS in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2018 - Jun 2018
May 2018

84681 mi

US $298
Did another transmission service with flush and filter replacement to try to get rid of the last of the transmission shudder that was present when vehicle was purchased. 
Cadillac CTS in Michigan, United States
Sep 2013 - Dec 2013
Dec 2013

45000 mi
Fasteners falling out of front and rear fascia's. 
Cadillac CTS in Indiana, United States
Nov 2012 - Mar 2013
Dec 2012

32000 mi

US $650
the driver side transaxle boot was said to be damaged by road debris--which i have pictures and given the location of the boot i would have had other damage if road damage occurred 

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2011 Cadillac CTS 2dr Coupe

304-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed manual RWD

Cadillac CTS in California, United States
Dec 2011 - Sep 2018
Sep 2012

6000 mi
One intake valve spring broke. I drove gently eight miles to the dealer on three cylinders. The computer had shut down the left half of the engine. Valve, valve spring, piston, cam positioner, etc. were replaced.  
Oct 2017

51000 mi
timing chain cover leaking. Remove and reseal. 
Jun 2018

54000 mi

US $1133
Bushing in manual shifter wore out. Lever had great deal of side-to-side play-- untrustworthy. Shifter replaced. 
Sep 2018

55500 mi

US $5200
Transmission output shaft bearings failed. Transmission replaced with remanufactured unit. 

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2011 Cadillac CTS Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2011 Cadillac CTS problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.