2011 Cadillac DTS Reliability
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Compared with nearby DTS model years (2009–2011), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the DTS's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
16
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
4
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Cadillac DTS complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2012 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 38% |
| Engine | 5 | 31% |
| Air bags | 3 | 19% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 2 | 13% |
| Steering | 2 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 6% |
| Latches, locks & linkages | 1 | 6% |
| Body structure | 1 | 6% |
2011 Cadillac DTS recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V553000 | Nov 5, 2010 | 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… |
| 14V355000 | Jun 23, 2014 | 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.… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby DTS years
Verdicts compare these DTS model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 35 | 2 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2010 | 22 | 3 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2011 (this page) | 16 | 2 | Electrical system | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 Cadillac DTS
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Cadillac DTS can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Cadillac DTS reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS reliable?
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Compared with nearby DTS model years (2009–2011), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the DTS's typical year.
What are the most common 2011 Cadillac DTS problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Cadillac DTS are electrical system (6), engine (5), air bags (3), fuel / propulsion system (2). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Cadillac DTS have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac DTS, including 10V553000 (electrical system — 12v/24v/48v battery / cables) and 14V355000 (electrical system — ignition). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Cadillac DTS compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 22 complaints and 3 recalls (solid). The 2011 has 16 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Cadillac DTS?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Cadillac DTS research
Other Cadillac DTS model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 DTS, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.