Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. Additionally, the "Service Air Bags" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to make an abnormal sound and the vehicle was inadvertently vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V341000 (Air Bags, Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
My air bag light is on. I brought it to the dealer for repair. The dealer told me the airbag is unfixable due to the fact that the "Passenger seat presence sensor is broken and no longer manufactured". I now have a car that is fully functional aside from this issue and it's unsafe to drive. The dealer also refused to buy the car back from me for fair market value.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. While driving 35 MPH, the brakes malfunctioned. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop and rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. Bentley Cadillac in florence, alabama 35630 was made aware of the crash and stated that an inspector would inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall for the brakes or the air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. While the contact's vehicle was parked with the engine running, a second vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to suburban Cadillac (1810 maplelawn dr, troy, mi 48084, [phone]), but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 75,000.
On 12-2-19 at 730 am eastern time, I was involved in a 55 MPH side impact crash to the right side of the vehicle by a semi truck on interstate 475 north in toledo, ohio, mile marker 10, near holland, ohio. No side impact airbags deployed. Vehicle is in 100% excellent maintained condition. No fault codes. Vehicle structure maintained very well for a highway speed crash, however, I have a concussion from the side impact and no airbag deployment. Car was totalled by the semi truck insurance company that struck me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a post. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact did not know if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
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
The car airbag harness failed and it was replaced with part 20973030 . I was not reimbursed for this failure and the car has limited miles on it. It appears to be a regular problem with the CTS harness system and should be on the recall list with other similar airbag problems general motors currently has. Thanks [redacted]
Passenger air bag sensor in seat, occupant sensor or pps, is faulty. Check air bag warning alert remains on or is intermittent, even if no contents or person on passenger seat. Very similar to GM recall 08373 for first generation Cadillac CTS occupant sensor for passenger airbag. If using the same design, and not corrected, the recall should be extended to the second generation CTS vehicles.
Related recalls
Air bags
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured October 18, 2010, to June 2, 2011. In the affected vehicles, vibrations from the drive shaft may cause the vehicle's roll over sensor to command the roof rail air bags to deploy.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear drive shaft assembly, free of charge. General Motors distributed an interim letter to owners on August 27, 2014.
Airbag complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Cadillac CTS, 23% of the model year's 101 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Cadillac CTS airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-341 (air bags, Jun 19, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac CTS airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.