YearToAvoid

2011 Cadillac DTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

17/100

#6 most-complained of 7 DTS years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 16 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 17 out of 100 — #6 highest of 7 DTS model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes and 6 injuries.

Complaints
16
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 23 hwy

Top 2011 Cadillac DTS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System6 (38%)
  2. Engine5 (31%)
  3. Airbags3 (19%)
  4. Fuel System2 (13%)
  5. Steering2 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (13%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (6%)
2011 Cadillac DTS complaints: complaints filed per month6Sep 2012Aug 2014Feb 2015Feb 2016Jan 2019Apr 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2012 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2014 (6).

2011 Cadillac DTS recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: 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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

  2. NHTSA 10V553000Nov 5, 2010Electrical System13,780 vehicles

    Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

    General motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 dts and buick lucerne vehicles equipped with v8 engines. The starter or alternator cable is in contact with the power steering return line. If either the starter or alternator cable is contacting the power steering return line, the cable could wear through the line, causing a power steering fluid leak.

    Risk: A power steering leak could result in a loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash, and/or the leak onto hot engine parts could cause an engine compartment fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will secure and if necessary reroute the lines to prevent contact. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 19, 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, buick at 1-866-608-8080 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

2011 Cadillac DTS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other DTS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Caution5035218
2010Good3322318
2011Best1716218

All Cadillac DTS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Cadillac DTS ranks #6 of 7 among DTS model years (Complaint Index 17/100, verdict: Best). It has 16 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints), and airbags (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 67,720 miles.
Does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac DTS, most recently reported 2014, covering electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
EPA rates the 2011 Cadillac DTS at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.