2011 Cadillac STS Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Cadillac STS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac STS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and exterior lighting (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,237 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 246 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 43%
- Brakes2 29%
- Exterior lighting1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
- Steering1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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 - 03/2014 alarm coming through rear-view mirror assembly - very, very loud and persistent - february 2014 I reported several occurrences in 2013. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572730, filed 2014-03, 53,000 milesBrakes: “When I backed out of my carport and applied my brakes it wouldn't stop. I took it to the dealership and they couldn't make the car do it again. The brakes when I back up still does not stop my car intermittently, until I step on brakes 3 or 4 times. This is frightening. The dealership wouldn't even take a look at my brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10627767, filed 2014-08, 38,000 milesSeat belts: “The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac cts. While traveling approximately 48 MPH, the driver crashed into the front passenger's side of another vehicle. The front passenger seat belt and shoulder attachment device separated which caused the occupant to move forward into the deployed air bag. The passenger sustained a broken right ankle. The vehicle was completely damaged and towed to a savage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The failure mileage was unavailable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10492235, filed 2013-01Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 53,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Cadillac STS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS · sedan AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 9.9% risk |
| STS · sedan FWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2011 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 Cadillac STS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| STS AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac STS in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,237 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11019693Jun 9, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Cadillac STS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 | 45,500 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 15 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 50 | 57,500 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 52 | 55,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 139 | 72,500 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 101 | 57,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 7 | 7,675 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 17,626 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 7 | 100,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 12 | 32,714 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 12 | 81,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 13 | 98,587 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Cadillac STS model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Cadillac STS have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac STS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Cadillac STS is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 2011 Cadillac STS been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac STS get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Cadillac STS (STS, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Cadillac STS reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,500 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 53,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.