WE OWN A 2011 CADILLAC STS. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT THE HOUSE SHAKE. MY WIFE WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WAS SO HARD SHE COULD NOT PRESS THE PEDAL DOWN. TO AVOID A CRASH SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO THE STREET. ONCE SHE WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE STREET SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEU…
2011 cadillac STS electrical problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION, AND THE BACK UP SENSORS CHIMED WITHOUT ANY OBJECT BEHIND THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE V…
DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO COME UP UPON START - SPORADIC IN MARCH 2013, CHRONIC IN NOVEMBER TO PRESENT BACK UP SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING - JANUARY 2014 TO PRESENT POWER WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN - SPORADIC JAN 2014 CD/RADIO VOLUME EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND THEN RE-ADJUSTS ITSELF HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ON - 2 OCCURRENCES - FEBRUARY 2014 2 EMISSION WARNING FROM ONSTAR DENIED BY DEALER - JAN - …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 cadillac STS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 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?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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