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2011 Cadillac STS problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Cadillac STS is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical STS model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
84/100
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
1,237
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 2011 Cadillac STS problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Cadillac STS 1,237

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,237 bulletins for the 2011 Cadillac STS

2011 Cadillac STS crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Cadillac STS 4 DR AWDPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.5
Cadillac STS 4 DR FWDPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.5

2011 Cadillac STS fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.6L 6‑cylRWD182721
3.6L 6‑cylAWD182621

What 2011 Cadillac STS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 4, 2025 · Steering · OH

The steering wheel became uncontrollable while idle and can't turn the steering wheel without picking up speed. While stopped you can't turn the steering wheel, it's like trying to turn it while the engine is off.

Filed Oct 4, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

We own a 2011 cadillac sts. Recently my wife was leaving for work and all of a sudden I felt the house shake. My wife was reversing out of the driveway when she applied the brakes. The pedal was so hard she could not press the pedal down. To avoid a crash she put the car into drive to keep it from going into the street. Once she was able to keep the vehicle out of the street she put the car in neutral, but the brakes were still not responding. Thats when our home became our car stopper. I drove the car afterwards and the brake pedal was still hard and would not hold the car from moving when it was put into gear. I contacted the local dealership who informed me that it would take at least 3 to 4 hours labor to diagnose the problem. That at $149.99 per hour. He also informed me that they had a vehicle in earlier saying the same thing and they pretty much replaced all of the braking system on the car at the cost of over $3900.00. That is crazy to me so I went through the car myself. I replaced all brakes and rotors, replaced the brake fluid and bleed the whole brake system. All that for the next day the same thing happened. I have since traced the electrical side and have found that the vacuum brake assist fuse under the hood was blown. I have replaced the fuse but as soon as you hit the brake it blows the fuse again.

Filed Aug 3, 2015 · Acceleration · 59,000 miles · FL

2011 cadillac sts. Consumer writes in regards to cruise control activated on its own. *smd updated 09/17/15*lj updated 09/21/15.*jb updated 09/22/15

Filed May 21, 2015 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac sts. While driving at 40 MPH, all the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate, the navigation system failed to function, and the back up sensors chimed without any object behind the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 7/29/15*cn updated 10/17/2017

Filed Aug 23, 2014 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · AR

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.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 53,000 miles · VA

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. Dealership said they could not duplicate reported chronic occurrences again in november, december and january and february - told could not diagnose complained to corporate who offered to have car diagnosed for 99.00; then charged assigned were 99.00 per symptom - great way to deter a customer told by corporate this past week that they did not say that and that the car was unfixable. Also told I was out of warranty and any charges were now on me. Can't fix something no one can/will acknowledge exists if consumer doesn't have the money to pursue the matter. Refusal to offer any other support from corporate. I have sent in 3 letters to corporate.

Filed Jan 11, 2013 · Seat belts · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* 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. ...updated 01/23/13 *bf....updated 01/30/13 *bf an investigator with the california highway patrol submitted this complaint form, not the owner of the vehicle. Updated 2/4/2013 *js updated 2/7/2013

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Questions about the 2011 Cadillac STS

Is the 2011 Cadillac STS reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2011 Cadillac STS, fewer than a typical STS model year.

What is the 2011 Cadillac STS year score?

The 2011 Cadillac STS scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac STS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Cadillac STS?

Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac STS have?

No recalls on record.

Is the 2011 Cadillac STS safe in a crash?

The 2011 Cadillac STS was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 5 out of 5.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac STS get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Cadillac STS range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 27 highway.

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