RoadVitals

2011 Cadillac CTS Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest May 16, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 101 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Cadillac CTS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed May 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon inspection underneath the frame rail, the contact became aware that there was rust on both sides of the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

NHTSA ID
11661438
Incident
May 12, 2025
Mileage
153,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a water leak. The contact noticed that the front driver's side seat, door arm rest and floor were significantly wet after rainfall. The contact stated that the failure later occurred on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the infotainment system, the heating system, the A/C, and the engine failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuse box and wiring needed to be replaced due to the electrical failure. The contact stated that upon disconnecting the battery and removing the fuse, the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that water was leaking onto the wiring on the floor. The sunroof drain was unclogged; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle remained with the mechanic, where it was undergoing additional water entry tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11617576
Incident
Jun 1, 2024
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 28, 2019
Crash reported

2 PROBLEMS. FIRST, FOR THE RECALL FOR THE KEYCHAIN, CAN THE DEALERSHIP NOT JUST MAIL ME AND GIVE ME THE KEYCHAIN UPON ARRIVAL? MOST DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO INSIST THAT THEY HAVE TO CHECK THE VEHICLE OUT, WHICH MEANS I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT OR WAIT. SECOND, SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME, TOTALING THE VEHICLE (LOS - PERHAPS AS MUCH AS $13,000, AS I DID NOT HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE. I BELIEVE THAT I MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED THE ACCIDENT, BUT HE CAME OUT OF A RIGHT REAR BLIND SPOT. I OFTEN HAD TROUBLE SEEING PEOPLE BACK THERE, AND I BELIEVE THE LARGE RIGHT REAR BLIND SPOT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, JUST COMING OFF A FREEWAY,ENDING AND CHANGING TO A SURFACE STREET, VERY BUSY ROAD, VERY BUSY TIME OF DAY. I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE OTHER CAR CUT IN AND WAS GOING STRAIGHT. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ID
11228273
Incident
Sep 14, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PULL A LEVER TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10860331
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 14, 2015
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BECAME INOPERABLE AND CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10733889
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10730351
Incident
Jun 11, 2015
Mileage
56,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672085
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Jun 9, 2014

BOTH REAR TAILLIGHTS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE BODY AT THE TOP. THERE IS A GAP OF APPROX. 1/4-3/8 INCH FROM THE TOP PEAK OF TAILLIGHT TO BODY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597040
Incident
Jun 9, 2014
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Dec 5, 2013

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY, ABOUT 15 MPH. HE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN HALF, THE WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE FRAME CAME CRASHING TO THE GROUND. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS. AAA TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAD TO HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE NEIGHBORS WHO HEARD THE THUD AND CAME TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/COLLISION. WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. CADILLAC TOLD US WE NEEDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES $12,000 IN DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554920
Incident
Nov 18, 2013
Mileage
20,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .