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2011 Cadillac CTS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 CTS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Classified as a passenger car, the 2011 Cadillac CTS requires 6 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil. Ownership data records 108 total complaints and two recalls for this year, with the power train identified as the top complaint area. Contextualized within the model's complaint history from 2003 to 2019, this year sits well below the peak of 321 complaints recorded in 2003 but above the lowest count of 8 seen in 2018. This placement marks a reliability profile that had improved from the highest complaint year without achieving the lowest issue rates of the later years.

Model year201920182017201620132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12577653
Engine air filter15875795 alt 25898499
Spark plug12681660 alt 12571165
Battery88866309 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades15890062 alt 15890064
Serpentine belt12638664 alt 19180340
Thermostat12582472 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter19130403

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight4131 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CTS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2011 Premium 3.6 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Premium 3.6 Coupe 3.6L V66.10 sec14.60 sec304 hpRWD
2011Premium 3.6 Coupe 3.6L V66.40 sec15.00 sec304 hpRWD
20104 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V66.50 sec15.00 sec304 hpAWD
2010Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V66.50 sec14.90 sec304 hpRWD
2010Premium 3.6 Wagon 3.6L V67.00 sec15.40 sec304 hpRWD
2010Premium 3.6 Wagon 3.6L V67.20 sec15.50 sec304 hpRWD
2012Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V66.20 sec14.70 sec318 hpRWD
20083.6 DI Sedan 3.6L V65.80 sec14.60 sec304 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.4 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub158 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket44 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs / 46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.906 in / 1.338 in / 1.102 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.906 in / 1.338 in / 1.102 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.846 in / 1.259 in / 1.023 in / 1.122 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts:150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
134
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Cadillac CTS represents a notable inflection point in the generation’s federal record, sitting squarely in the middle of a downward trend in complaints—108 for 2011, down from 167 in 2009 and continuing to decline in subsequent years. Recalls remained stable at two, consistent with the 2008 and 2012-2013 model years but well below the 5-7 recalls seen in earlier years (2004-2007). The data shows no investigations for 2011, aligning with the broader post-2008 trend of zero federal probes, while Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) peaked at 1,524, reflecting ongoing refinements rather than acute defects. Complaint categories for 2011 were led by power train (16), air bags (13), and electrical system (10) issues, though these figures are modest compared to earlier years’ totals. With crash-related complaints at 11 and fire complaints at 3, the 2011 model year appears to be a relatively stable midpoint in the generation’s reliability arc. **Takeaway: The 2011 CTS is a prudent used buy, offering improved reliability over earlier years without the higher recall volumes of later models.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1524
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
108
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train16
Air Bags13
Electrical System10
Engine6
Exterior Lighting6
Power Train,Air Bags4
Structure3
Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V341000Air BagsReported 19/06/2014

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… 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. Owners…

14V394000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 02/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1524 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CTS. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 batteryVehicles taking 6 qtEngine oil filter 12690386Engine air filter 15875795Spark plug 12681660Battery 88866309

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 CTS take?

6 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 CTS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.