RoadVitals

2011 Cadillac CTS Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
15
Latest Dec 7, 2019
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.
15%
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.
2
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 engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 15 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 engine

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

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2019
Fire reported

AFTER A 45 MINUTE DRIVE AND RETURNING HOME I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NORMAL AS ALWAYS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I ENTERED MY HOUSE AND AS I WALKED PASTED MY KITCHEN WINDOW I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES SINCE FROM THE TIME I ENTERED MY HOUSE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THEN FIRE I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE FIRE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL OR A FUEL MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
11287619
Incident
Dec 5, 2019
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2019

THE TIMING CHAIN IS FAULTY. THIS IS A $2200 REPAIR. NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11228858
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S DRIVING. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SHOOK AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER (2131 E CONVENTION CENTER WAY, ONTARIO, CA 91764, (909) 321-5860) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TIMING CHAIN WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID
11221461
Incident
May 20, 2019
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,847.

NHTSA ID
10691920
Incident
Feb 26, 2015
Mileage
38,847 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Feb 22, 2015

ON 21 FEB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING "SERVICE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL, ENGINE POWER WILL BE REDUCED. I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND LUCKILY, THE 18 WHEELER THAT WAS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO OTHER LANE TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD INDICATOR AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE MEDIAN. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT KILLED!. ON SEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE...THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES BECAUSE OF THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, A DEATH? *TR

NHTSA ID
10689805
Incident
Feb 21, 2015
Mileage
61,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.

NHTSA ID
10659647
Incident
Nov 13, 2014
Mileage
40,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Jul 21, 2014

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENTS RE COPY OF LETTER TO MARY BARRA, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), GENERAL MOTORS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH AFTER SERVICE CARE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND ASSURED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS DEPENDABLE. ON MAY 27, 2014 THE CONSUMER FELT A MILD VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THE BALANCE WAS OFF, BUT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JUNE 15, 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN A ROUGH TICKING SOUND AND FELT A SHUDDER THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. HE GENTLY BRAKED AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AGAIN, AND BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE THUMPING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND A LOUD BANG AND HEAVY VIBRATION, WAS FLT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE VIBRATION TEAR IN THE CLOTH SHIELD HE DISCOVERED, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BROUGHT TWO OF THE FOUR THAT HELD THE DRIVE SHAFT TOGETHER TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VIBRATION TEAR WAS A CIGARETTE BURN, AND THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BEARING FAILURE WERE ISSUES ADDRESS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS LOW PITCHED WHISTLE DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION, WHICH HE DID NOT HEAR WHEN HE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LIGHT WEIGHT OIL/FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. HE NOTICED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION RANGE HAD DROPPED FROM 17-18 MPG TO 15 MPG. THE REAR END FELT LESS STABLE AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHIFT WHEN COMING OFF DRIVEWAYS OR OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. (2011 CADILLAC CTS).

NHTSA ID
10614444
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 24, 2014

DRIVING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN IGNITION KEY, ONLY A FOB. THE ENGINE IS 3.6 CTS 4. I DROVE 2 MILES BACK HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL A RESOLUTION IS OBTAINED FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593880
Incident
May 24, 2014
Mileage
17,400 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 2, 2014

WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME EVERY MORNING, I ACCELARATE FROM 45 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 65 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH 2 FRONT FLAT TIRES) AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MOST OF THE TIME IT FLASHES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SOMETIMES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. CAR LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER ON APRIL 27TH 2014 WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS EVERY MORNING ONLY. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND SAID THEY RESOLVED PROBLEM. EXACTLY 2 DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY BUT NOT ON A DAILY BASIS. NOT SURE IF THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER NOW THAT IT IS NO LONGER WINTER. I WILL BE MAKING MY THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THIS SAME ISSUE :SHAKING CAR, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586247
Incident
Feb 27, 2014
Mileage
27,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 16, 2014

DUE TO THE RECENT GM PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON MY 2011 CADILLAC CTS AS I AM NOT HEARING MY CAR MENTIONED FOR RECALL. TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE CTS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH FLIPPING. NO SOUND WAS MADE BUT SIMPLY EVERYTHING LOST ALL POWER AND FORCED ME TO COAST INTO TRAFFIC...TWICE!! I THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO TRY AND RESTART IT WITH NO LUCK. IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURNOVER. I HAD TO COME TO A FULL STOP (COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER HAVING TRAFFIC FLY BY ME ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY) AND THEN THE CAR WOULD RESTART LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE CTS TO KEN DIXON CHEVY/CADILLAC (NOW WALDORF CADILLAC) IN WALDORF, MD AND ALSO TO CAPITOL CADILLAC IN GREENBELT, MD. THE TECHS TOLD ME THE CAR SHOWED NO ERRORS ON THE COMPUTER AND ALSO THEY COULD FIND NO FAULT ON THE CAR AND RETURNED IT TO ME. ONE TECH DID MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT A HEAVY KEYCHAIN COULD CAUSE THIS. I PASSED HIM MY KEYS AND HE SAID THAT MY KEYS CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T CAUSE THAT DUE TO THE LIGHT WEIGHT. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AND THIS LATEST NEWS FROM GM HAS ME VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN WASHINGTON, DC TRAFFIC AND PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT DAILY RISK. I POSTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE EDMUNDS.COM CADILLAC CTS CAR FORUM IN MARCH OF 2012. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10583019
Incident
Mar 16, 2012
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10561905
Incident
Jan 16, 2014
Mileage
45,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 9, 2013

LOUD SUPERCHARGER GRINDING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505661
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
33,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2013

THE SUPERCHARGER STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE MARBLES. IT NOW IS GETTING LOUDER SOUNDING LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. IT IS A CTS-V. *TR

NHTSA ID
10492173
Incident
Dec 4, 2012
Mileage
21,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE RADIO IN ACTIVATION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DURING THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE RADIO REMAINED IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,747. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL POWER TO THE DASHBOARD, STEERING AND BRAKES CEASED DURING THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING, BUT A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD HAD BEEN PERFORMED THAT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/24/12 THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/09/12

NHTSA ID
10444625
Incident
Jan 16, 2012
Mileage
1,747 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2011

VEHICLE STALLED OR TRIED TO STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25-35 MPH APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MILES. WAS TOWED TO DEALER. ON 10-18-11 SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND ADVISED COMPLAINT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND HAD PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING A TEST DRIVE (APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE) AND VEHICLE COULD BE PICKED UP. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND PERFORMED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THEN STALLED TWICE WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH. VEHICLE AGAIN WAS TOWED TO SAME DEALER. ON 10-21-11 I WAS ADVISED PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED DURING A TEST DRIVE OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES. VEHICLE REMAINS AT DEALERSHIP PENDING A SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10432519
Incident
Oct 14, 2011
Mileage
3,350 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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .