2011 Cadillac STS

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system3
2. Service brakes2
3. Exterior lighting1
4. Seat belts1
5. Steering1
6. Vehicle speed control1

Latest complaints

• Jan 4, 2025OH
  Steering

  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.

• Oct 4, 2016NC
  Electrical system · Service brakes
  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…

  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.

• Aug 3, 2015FL59,000 mi
  Vehicle speed control › Cruise control

  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*jb

• May 21, 2015VA20,000 mi
  Electrical system
  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…

  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*cn

• Aug 23, 2014AR38,000 mi
  Service brakes

  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. *tr

• Mar 17, 2014VA53,000 mi
  Electrical system · Exterior lighting
  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…

  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. *tr

• Jan 11, 2013CACrash2 injuries
  Seat belts
  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…

  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 *js

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11011805This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
• 11011782This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.
• 11011709This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
• 11011444This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool.
• 11011205This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
• 11010545This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S).
• 11010491This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs.
• 11010490This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
• 11010421This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
• 11009764This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
• 11009756This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
• 11009532This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
• 11009531This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
• 11009156This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
• 11009088This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
• 11009039This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information, proper labor operation selection and causal part identification for warranty transactions (U.S. Only).
• 11008956This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
• 11008906This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
• 11008898The bulletin provides direction on how to locate the Temporary Service Part (TSP) form in GlobalConnect.
• 11007936This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
• 11007935This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
• 11007744This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
• 11007743This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
• 11007208This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
• 11007196This 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 on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
• 11007121This bulletin provides information on Engine Concerns that could result from lack of scheduled maintenance, improper service or aftermarket calibrations.
• 11007116This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
• 11007115This service bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement.
• 11007095This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles and the TOP TIER FUELS website URL.
• 11007091This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
• 11006682This service bulletin provides information on a guide to help reduce repeat visits for the same customer concern.
• 11006670This service bulletin advises about the possible issues that may occur when using a scotch brite pad or highly abrasive disk on gasket sealing surfaces or reused parts.
• 11006644This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides information for dealers/Service advisors on when and how to submit a Pre-Repair Authorization (PRA).
• 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
• 11006511This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
• 11006421GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
• 11006293This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may crank over unprompted andnot start afterward. This is the result of hooking up the Active Fuel Injector Tool incorrectly on vehicles equipped with a direct fuel injection system. This Preliminary information instructs the dealer ofa repair kit they received that will prevent this issue when installed correctly.
• 11006278This service bulletin describes the U.S. Dealer Special Tool Loan Program process.
• 11005311This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
• 11004761This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

Every Cadillac STS model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.