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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-CADILLAC-DTS
2011 · cadillac

cadillac DTS problems

1 safety recall. 15 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
6 reports · avg $850
moderate
engine
3 reports · avg $3,100
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 DTS · engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. 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, LA 70433, (985) 801-7000)…
11/29/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11154832.0
2011 DTS · electrical
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT…
09/23/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10638462.0
2011 DTS · electrical
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT…
09/22/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10638136.0
2011 DTS · electrical
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…
09/16/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10633735.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 10V553000 05/11/2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Cadillac DTS reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Cadillac DTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Cadillac DTS?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 6 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Cadillac DTS has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Cadillac DTS?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 15 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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