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2011 Cadillac DTS electrical problems
moderate
Owners of the 2011 Cadillac DTS have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$850
electrical complaints on the Cadillac DTS, by model year
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin23-NA-001Mar 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
6 most recent
electrical
· filed 09/23/2014
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 experienced a failure.
electrical
· filed 09/22/2014
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 had not experienced a failure.
electrical
· filed 09/16/2014
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 repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
electrical
· filed 09/08/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac dts. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. When the contact removed the key fob from the ignition, the doors would fail to lock and unlock intermittently. The dealer did not provide a specific date as to when the parts would become…
electrical
· filed 06/15/2015
2011 Cadillac dts. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch replacement parts not available to complete recall. *smd the consumer stated he decided not to comply with the recall, due to the fact Chrysler is not providing a proper safety fix. However, he did remove the additional keys. *jb updated 07/08/15.*jb
electrical
· filed 04/20/2026
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. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Cadillac DTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Cadillac DTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Cadillac/DTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.