RoadVitals

2011 Cadillac CTS Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
11
Latest Aug 24, 2020
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.
11%
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.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 11 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 steering

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

AirbagsSteering
Filed Aug 24, 2020
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT APPROX 45 MPH, GOING INTO A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED ME TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND LAUNCH INTO THE WOODS. NO INJURIES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RADIATOR WAS BENT INTO A U SHAPE. NO IDEA WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY

NHTSA ID
11350850
Incident
Aug 19, 2020
Mileage
84,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2019

POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT ALL SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOWER SPEEDS AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE DIC THAT READS "SERVICE POWER STEERING" NO VISIBLE CAUSE CAN BE FOUND. FLUID LEVELS ARE IN SPEC. TIRE PRESSURE IS IN SPEC. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT LOW SPEED, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEED, STEERING BECOMES STIFF EFFECTING CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
11181470
Incident
Feb 14, 2019
Mileage
104,500 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2017

CAR MAKING CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING, CAR IS LIKE BRAND NEW 37,000 ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ID
11024737
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 10, 2015

DRIVING TO WORK WENT TO STOP AND VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE AND WOULD NOT STOP NORMAL. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE REPORTED RIGHT REAR HUB NOT SENSING SPEED SIGNAL AND NEEDED TO REPLACE AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I SEE GM AND CADILLAC HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS WHEEL HUD AND HAVE RECALLED ON OTHER MODEL YEARS. THESE ARE $600.00 PER WHEEL TO REPLACE AND THINK THAT THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 39,000 MILES. WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THIS FAILS.I CONTACTED CADILLAC AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704972
Incident
Mar 16, 2015
Mileage
37,960 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
Steering
Filed Jan 4, 2015

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND SLOWED DOWN TO VEER INTO LEFT TURN LANE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MANAGED TO GET CAR INTO LEFT LANE AND CAME TO A STOP. LUCKY IT WAS NOT MY WIFE DRIVING AS SHE WOULD OF HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY STEERING CAR. PUT CAR IN PARK AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FOURTH. STEERING TOOK SEVERAL ROTATIONS OF STEERING WHEEL BUT CAME BACK AFTER 10 SECONDS OR SO. DECIDED TO PROCEEDED HOME. DID NOT DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL DAY I TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS THE SEAL IS LEAKING AND RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF ALMOST $2000.00 CAR JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. HAD MAJOR OIL LEAK IN MAY THAT REQUIRED ENGINE TO BE PULLED. THAT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT DEALER AND CORP REFUSING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION,GARAGED AND DRIVEN RESPECTFULLY. NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10669972
Incident
Dec 13, 2014
Mileage
32,200 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
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 16, 2014

WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WE NOTICED A PRONOUNCED THUMP THAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORRISOME. WE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS WHO SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING UP TO THIS DATE. THE THUMP IS SO GREAT WE WONDER IF IT IS NOT DAMAGING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588963
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Mileage
500 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
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Feb 19, 2012

WHILE IN REVERSE, FRONT STEERING SEAMS TO SKIP. IT FEELS LIKE A 4WD. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. THEY EVEN SHOWED ME A BULLETIN FROM GM THAT EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL AND TO DO NO REPAIRS. AFTER DRIVING 15,000 MILES, IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. AGAIN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. WHILE THERE, THEY TRIED TO SELL ME NEW TIRES BECAUSE MY REAR TIRES ARE BALD. THEY SAID IT WAS FROM HIGH SPEED STARTS. I EXPLAINED THAT A 73 YEAR OLD PERSON(MY WIFE) IS NOT OUT DRAG RACING AND THERE FOR, THEY MUST BE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THEY CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES(THE MAKER OF THE TIRES) WHOM REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT STATED 15 TO 20 THOUSAND MILES ARE AVERAGE FOR THOSE TIRES. AT $500 EACH, I WOULD EXPECT TO GET MORE MILES OUT OF THE TIRES. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448466
Incident
Oct 8, 2010
Mileage
500 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .