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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Cadillac DTS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

16 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

67,720 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues425.0%
Steering behavior318.8%
Fuel system concerns16.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
6
Engine
5
Air Bags
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Steering
2
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
Seat Belts
1
Structure:Body
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System6
Engine5
Air Bags3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Seat Belts1
Structure:Body1

Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Structure:Body: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
1
2014
7
2015
2
2016
1
2018
1
2019
1
2021
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20121
20147
20152
20161
20181
20191
20211
20262

2012: 1; 2014: 7; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10631458 · 2014-09-08 (September 8, 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 AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10631458 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10633735 · 2014-09-16 (September 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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10633735 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10475508 · 2012-09-15 (September 15, 2012)

HIT A TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.. DUE TO A CONCUSSION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER I DO KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD ENOUGH WITH MY FACE AND CHEST TO BEND THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A SEVERE CONCUSSION, FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND FACIAL LACERATIONS DUE TO HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO MY INJURIES I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND THE HOSPITAL FOR NINE DAYS AND SPENT 20 DAYS IN A REHABILITATION FACILITY. I AM HOME NOW, STILL IN PAIN AND MOVING AROUND W…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475508 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10584656 · 2014-04-24 (April 24, 2014)

THE POWER STEERING GEAR HAS BEGUN LEAKING, THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT BUT THERE IS A LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 64,444 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584656 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11732561 · 2026-04-20 (April 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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732561 at NHTSA ↗