180 of the
729 complaints filed about the Cadillac DTS
are about the electrical system —
25% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.
NHTSA complaint #11732561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle lane of a three lane expressway at a high rate of speed, the vehicle started deaccelerating and I couldn’t control the vehicle with no power steering, I couldn’t get over to the shoulder. This nearly caused a wreck putting me in harm, because vehicles around me were accelerating at 55 to 70mph. All I could do is put my flashers on. Coast to a stop, and hope no one rear ended me, which nearly occurred. General Motors Cadillac division was aware of this possibility see: GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5755 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: April 14, 2021 Subject: REVISION: 18226-01 - Special Coverage Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Revised Service Procedure Models: 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne 2009-2011 Cadillac DTS To: All General Motors Dealers This bulletin is being revised to update the service procedure. all previous copies of 18226. END OF MESSAGE GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS Please discard Special Coverage Adjustment 18226 Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Condition On some 2008 – 2011 model year Buick Lucerne and 2009 – 2011 model year Cadillac DTS vehicles, the vehicle’s rear-seat bracket could contact the vehicle’s Rear Electrical Center (REC), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the REC enclosure. If damage occurs, the If damage occurs, the components canmelt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle’s battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall. Because no accident occurred ther were no police reports filed. The date is est
NHTSA complaint #11677365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving at night on I-29 South and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. Headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). As a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at Cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. Replacement was Cadillac recommendation as it was stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements. In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.
NHTSA complaint #11577860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at night in July, 2023 on [XXX] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. Continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. Took to local Cadillac dealer for diagnostics (Invoice [XXX]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [XXX}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11577865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was pushed to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle started and shut off immediately. The contact stated she smelled a burning plastic odor coming from the rear seats. The contact stated that upon lifting the rear middle seat, she noticed that fuses had melted in the fuse box. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #11535546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 Cadillac DTS has been giving me problems with leaking water from either the moon roof or roof itself near driver's door.the floor gets soaked with water and has caused a part called a yaw under the seat to short the wiring out and had to be replaced because it controls the tail lights and tail lights and brake lights were staying stationary when driving so car behind me has no indication whether brakes are being applied.i replaced the yaw but the roof is still leaking and it could happen again and could cause the floor to rot out from repeatedly getting wet when raining.i feel this is a serious safety concern and should be fixed by Cadillac.
NHTSA complaint #11507782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was backing out of my parking space and the warning icons on my dash,(Service brake system,stabiltrack, traction control.4 years ago I had to replace a (yaw) that goes under the driver's seat because moonroof is leaking so I sealed the roof.the yaw controls the stabiltrack.i took it to a auto parts store to get diagnosed and it says speed sensor or possibly a wheel hub.ive owned cars for 50 some years and never had this problem.the car only has 110,000 miles.iam tired of problems related to this issue as I said first was yaw ,now hub for car.there must be other owners that have had this problem.this is supposed to be a luxury automobile and miles aren't high.
NHTSA complaint #11502044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, no failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated there was a button on the radio that was stuck, causing the battery power to be drained. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11489589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Alternator Not Charging" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the alternator and exhaust manifold. The alternator was replaced. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed a trail of oil leak in the driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #11479055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I called OnStar because my car would not start and they sent someone from GM. The guy looked at my car, could not identify the problem, so I got it towed to a repair shop. Ends up, I had to replace the transmission. The repair shop ran electric test on the vehicle and no codes or issues. My dash is now reading service power steering and this is a safety issue that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer.
NHTSA complaint #11461898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. The contact was driving at 55mph on the highway and the vehicle slowed down independently and the screens went blank. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was shut off but would not restart. The contact called the police and the officer called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic on 3 occasions replaced the same relay fuse however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11453689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
So we bought the car. In 2012 or 2013. And in 2014 we received a yellow letter in the mail saying that our car needed to be serviced for a recall. We set it up. Ended up taking it in To be serviced for the recalls. Not knowing in 2008 they recalled what is now going wrong in the car, I didn’t say anything at the time we repaired it. It they didn’t either I believe and even if we didn’t say anything they honestly should’ve just repaired the part that was messed up for us and then let us know: now we have spent so much money towing our car back to our house so that it is safe, and have missed appointments, been stranded, I mean we have really, honestly and truly, very very compromised but this issue with the electrical system Our car is having all the time since this recall repair was administered: NOW IT HAS JUST GOTTEN SO BAD WE CAN NOYT EVEN DRIVE IT. We will get stuck where ever we turn it off unfortunately. I’ve not looked online at information taken all the necessary needs to find out if my vehicle was given the recall before we owned it just to be sure too, it was not. I know that everything that I have read relates directly perfectly to Every single issue that we are have ig Now on our car. The recall from 2014 the key doesn’t come out the ignition anymore and that’s very good, but I know that The CADILLAC Dealer, DID NOT!! Install any other part into the car but that service it asked for. Like beyond a doubt I don’t know what to do and would love to be able to get some answers soon. Thank you very much. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11437278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2007 Cadillac DTS has heated/air-conditioned front seats. They went out. Looking on the Cadillac users' website it seems to be a common problem. The connectors burn out, even though they are connected to a 30 amp fuse. Having an electrical system short out under the passenger seat can be life threatening. Request a recall on the faulty connection box under the passenger seat. The heated rear seat is fine.
NHTSA complaint #11421083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR GIVES OFF FALSE OIL PRESSURE INFORMATION ON CARS MESSAGE CENTER. I REPLACED THE SENSOR AS DISCRIBED, VERIFIED MY OIL LEVEL, CLEANED THE CONNECTOR TO OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND STILL EVERY 2 OR 3 MINTUES I GET ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW, STOP VEHICHLE. WHEN I STOP THE OIL LEVEL IS GREAT AND THE OIL IS VERY CLEAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. IF THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE SIEZED UP BY NOW. THIS IS ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE 08 CADILLAC DTS 4.7L NORTHSTAR ENGINES.
NHTSA complaint #11338907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN. AFTER CHECKING ALTERNATOR, CURRENT WHILE REMOVING FUSES, CURRENT WHILE IN 'SLEEP' MODE, AND REPLACING BATTERY THREE TIMES THE CAR WILL RUN FOR TWO DAYS, ON THE THIRD DAY IT WILL NOT CRANK AND THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DEAD.
NHTSA complaint #11330397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE FAILURE DO TO POOR DESIGN AND OIL LEAKS. I HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITCH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDS RECALLED. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS A NIGHT ONE MY FUSE BOX'S NEEDED REPLACED BECAUSE A FUSE BURNED OUT, WITCH MELTED A GOOD PORTION OF IT. MAJOR FIRE HAZARD!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11323116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. THE INDICATOR BULB BURNED OUT AND BURNED THE HOUSING OF THE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,700.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11320304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR PASSENGER FUSE BLOCK (P/N 19116816) GETS MELTED BY A FAULTY FUSE PUMP RELAY BURNING UP DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP PUTTING A LOT OF RESISTANCE ON THE WIRING, RELAY WON'T BLOW, BUT IT MELTS. WITHOUT CORRECTING THIS, THE FUSE BOX WILL BE AFFECTED ONCE THE FUSE PUMP RELAY OVERHEATS AND EVENTUALLY MELTS AND BURNS. CAR WAS STATIONED. THIS IS UNSAFE BY ANY MEANS. THE FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD AND CAUSED THE SEATS TO BURN AND WORSE, IT'S RIGHT BY THE GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #11317549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.