Service bulletins for the 2011 Cadillac CTS
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
1525 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| PIC5252A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip on how to remove the ignition lock cylinder. Technician can use a pick tool on the hole behind the land on the lock cylinder housing and pull the ignition lock cylinder out of the ignition. |
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| PIC5245A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a creak noise coming from the A-Pillar area when going up and down driveways. Technician will need to apply Mylar or ultra-high molecular tape between the panels of the A-Pillar trim. Technician will also need to set the gap on the fender for a 1 millimeter clearance. |
| PIT3173C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that fluid contamination may be directed to one of the following testing centers according to the type of fluid needing testing. Dealer should send the correct fluid to the proper testing center. |
| PIC5494D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS built before August 29 2012 may have a 3 mile per hour or more variation. The technician is to replace the instrument panel cluster for this concern. |
| PIC4740C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with the Service Engine Soon light is on, Reduced engine power message, no crank, multiple warning lights on, transmission shifts hard, or the door locks cycle while driving. The Transmission Control Module or Engine Control Module may not communicate. With Diagnostic Trouble Codes C0242, C0561, P0575, P0615, P0700, P0856, P1629, P2544, U0073, U0074, U0100, U0109, U0121, U0140, U2100, U2105, and / or U2106 stored. The technician is to inspect the transmission X1 connector terminals for loose or poor fit. Disconnect the X1 connector and carefully tug on each wire to insure pins are fully seated. A side load on the wires may also cause a false positive lock. Technician is to repair the connections as necessary. |
| PIC4801E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have an OnStar Turn-By-Turn Navigation the system that is inoperative. Technician verifies there are no Diagnostic Trouble Codes are present in the Antilock Braking System and Vehicle Communication Interface Module of the vehicle. If no Diagnostic Trouble Codes found call OnStar using the Blue button on the OnStar key pad and ask the advisor for a turn by turn route. Also make a OnStar personal call and a call into the vehicle. If normal diagnostics do not lead to a resolution technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. |
| PIC4310H | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system. |
| PIT4733J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that customers may inquire as to the availability of OnStar bluetooth on their vehicle. Technician should be advised that Vehicles with Regular Production Option Code (UPF or UWE) offer Bluetooth through the OnStar system. |
| PIC5687B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that loose connection between the vehicle and a Bluetooth phone. Technician will need to use a scan tool to check the "Firmware Over-the-Air" value. If the "Firmware Over-the-Air" value is up to date and customer's concern is still present contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. |
| PIC5494C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS built before August 29 2012 may have a 3 mile per hour or more variation. The technician is to replace the instrument panel cluster for this concern. |
| PIP4554H | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the steps on repairing a clunk noise after shifting from reverse to drive or drive to reverse and then accelerating. The concern is only with rear wheel drive 6L45 or 6L50 automatic transmissions with Regular Production Option Code MYA or MYB apply. Apply thread locker to the transmission output shaft flange splines and install a new front propeller shaft flange nut. Apply thread locker to the new propeller shaft flange nut if it does not contain a pre-applied adhesive patch. |
| PIT4041D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the power lift gate Regular Production Option Code (E61 or TB5) is inoperative. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code B153A set in the power lift gate control module. Technician will need to perform these steps. 1. Disconnect the connector at the Lift gate Latch Assembly. 2. Install a 3 ampere fused jumper wire between each signal circuit and the ground circuit. 3. If either test fails, check the wiring for the signal circuits, low reference circuit, or try a power lift gate control module from a known good vehicle. 4. If both tests pass, monitor the internal switch inputs in the lift gate latch assembly for proper operation. 5. If one of the internal lift gate latch assembly switch inputs are not reading correctly in one of the positions above and the vehicles passes test both test, replace the Lift Gate Latch Assembly. |
| PIT4907A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about brake rotors on new vehicles and replacement parts from General Motors Service Parts Operations. Technician should be advised the costing should not be removed from the brake rotor it will wear off with normal brake usage. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. |
| PIP5075 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a fluid leak from the rear of the vehicle. Technician will need to inspect the rear axle to determine if the leak is coming from the rear axle assembly. If the leak is not coming from the rear axle differential vent follow published Rear Axle Lubricant Leak Diagnosis in Service Information. If the leak is coming from the rear axle differential vent replace the vent and hose. If the vehicle comes back with the same concern it is possible that the rear axle vent baffle has moved. |
| PIP4959C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with information about vehicles that misfires or roughness on cold start up. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0300 set. Technician will need to add coolant dye to the system and run the engine through warm up to circulate the dye. Pressurize the cooling system after a cold soak and inspect the cylinder with a bore scope for coolant dye. If coolant is found in the cylinder technician will need to contact General Motors Product Quality Center for engine replacement. |
| PIC5511A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. STEERING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a notched feeling, or a steering shudder, during slow steering input at idle with the vehicle stationary. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. |
| PIC5491A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an OnStar system that will not power up. Technician should turn off the ignition and cancel retained accessory power. After the vehicle has powered down, remove power to the OnStar module for five minutes. After the power has been removed for five minutes, if the OnStar system is working release the vehicle. If the OnStar system is still inoperative continue with published Service Information diagnostics. |
| PIC4935D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that during battery parasitic drain test, there may be some confusion as to what the normal power consumption reading should be from the OnStar system. Technician should understand the power cycles of the various OnStar systems. All Generation 6, 7, 8, and 9 systems are powered up continuously for 48 hours from ignition off. After 120 hours from ignition off, these systems then completely power off. The Onstar modules draw: * IGN ON - 240 to 400 Milliamp. * IGN OFF - 3 to 20 Milliamp for 48 hours or 120 hours on Gen 9 and vehicle communication platforms. * IGN OFF - 0.2 to 0.8 Milliamp after 48 hours or 120 hours on Gen 9 and vehicle communication platforms. |
| PIC5136N | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR; WHEELS. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a clicking noise from the front of the wheels. Technician will need to clean the front wheels and the brake rotor mating surfaces as well as replace the wheel nuts for all four wheels on vehicles built prior to Vehicle Identification Number breakpoint D0106083. |
| PIC5723 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a navigation map update 2012 may fail to load. Dealer should communicate to the customer that we apologize for this inconvenience and that General Motors is working on a solution for this concern. |
| PIT3099J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about installing General Motors Accessory parts. Technician can check Service Information for some accessories. Technician can also contact Partech for assistance. |
| PIC5758 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK; STRUCTURE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that paint on roof may appear chipped under the vehicle's luggage rack roof rails. Technician will need to replace both luggage rack roof rail assemblies using current listed part numbers. |
| PIT3237F | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the percentage of Ultraviolet protection or tint offered by the windshield or side glass. Technician should be advised Windshield reduces Ultraviolet rays down to 4% or less. Front side door glass reduces Ultraviolet rays down to 35% or less. Windshields are SOLAR glass with a light transmittance of >/=70%. Front door glass are Solar glass with a light transmission of >/=70%. Rear door glass, quarter windows and back windows can use either Solar glass (>/=70%) or Privacy glass, which has a light transmittance of 20%. |
| PIC5759 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a message on the radio "maximum number of phones are currently paired to the vehicle". Dealer should advise the customer this is normal operation of the vehicle due to the maximum number of five phones can be paired to a vehicle. |
| PIC5136M | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a clicking noise from the front of the wheels. Technician will need to clean the front wheels and the brake rotor mating surfaces as well as replace the wheel nuts for all four wheels on vehicles built prior to Vehicle Identification Number breakpoint D0106083. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.