Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2011 Cadillac DTS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 16 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V355000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V553000 BATTERY CABLE ROUTING VARIATION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 6 complaints
- Engine 5 complaints
- Air Bags 3 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
- Steering 2 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
Of the 16 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 16 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2011 Cadillac DTS has concerning issues centered on the electrical system, notably affecting ignition and battery cables. Recalls point towards potential airbag and power steering problems which can have serious safety implications, lowering the vehicle's overall reliability rating to below-average.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$600 | very common |
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | common |
| airbag system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacement
- Air filter change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Ignition lock issues
- Engine misfires or rough idle
- Battery cables wearing out
- Power steering fluid leaks
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2011 Cadillac DTS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.