110 of the
729 complaints filed about the Cadillac DTS
are about the lighting —
15% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
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.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS(AUDIO/CRUISE CONTROL) HAVE NOT WORKED, PRIOR OWNER WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE BCM. FRONT DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL SWITCH TO ADJUST THE HEIGHT, ANGLE, AND SETTINGS FOR EACH DRIVER ALSO ARE NOT WORKING. APPARENTLY THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES. I HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH MY 2000 CHEVY IMPALA, AND MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SS.
NHTSA complaint #11398595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY LIGHTS I HAVE CHANGED AND TRIED EVERY THING ONLY GOT 1 TO WORK SO FAR ! I SMELL A ! BURNING SMELL ! MY POWER STEERING IS SCREWED AND LIKES A SMALL LEEK ALL ELECTRIC SOME THINGS HAS HAD ISSUES ! BLOW FUSES CIGARETTE LIGHTER STOPS WORKING CAN'T CHARGE PHONE ! BACK REAR POWER STRUTS ONLY WORK PART TIME ME L BACK UP LIGHTS THAT WARNS DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME ! MY KEY CAN TURN THE CAR BUT DRIVE WITH OUT KEY IN THE IGNITION THE IGNITION CAN SWITCH IT SELF ! HAVE HAD TO FIX BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS AND FRONT TIRE PROBLEMS!
NHTSA complaint #11377841 — 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.
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE OWNER TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING WAS BAD AND THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET INSPECTED SO I COULD GET IT TITLED, IT FAILED THE INSPECTION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE LINE, THE REAR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT BEING BROKE, THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT FAILING AND BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK WHEEL BEARINGS BEING WORN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE OWNER GOT IN MY FACE AND SHOVED ME MAKING ME LEAVE.
NHTSA complaint #11282518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEAD LIGHTS GO OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING, EITHER THE LEFT ONE OR THE RIGHT ONE. SOMETIMES EVEN WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS WILL START TO FLICKER AND THEN ONE WILL GO OUT. SHUT OFF THE LIGHT SWITCH WEATHER ITS IN THE AUTO MODE OR OFF MODE AND LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON AND MY GO OUT AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING. BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS NOW AND CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NO FIX. WHY NOT A RECALL FROM GM AS A NUMBER OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11162296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,193.
NHTSA complaint #11156643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PROJECTING TOO MUCH HEAT AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC COVERS TO BURN AND MELT FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RILEY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (2033 CHRISTY DR, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101, (573) 298-6142) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11140821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHTS NORMAL (LOW) BEAM INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY INDIVIDUALLY (BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT) AND ON OCCASION BOTH HAVE GONE OUT ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES ONE GOES OFF, DON'T REALIZE IT AT FIRST UNTIL THE OTHER GOES OFF.. THERE IS NO COMMONALITY (FOR EXAMPLE, CAN HAPPEN ON SMOOTH ROADS, ON BUMPS, BUT ALSO CAN GO OVER BUMPS AND LIGHTS STAY ON) AND WHEN THE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT, THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT BACK ON IS TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER USING THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT FEATURE OR HAVING THEM MANUALLY TURNED ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I'VE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR, AND GM APPEARS TO HAVE DONE A RECALL FOR SIMILAR CARS IN THEIR BUICK AND OTHER LINES BUT NOT FOR CADILLAC.
NHTSA complaint #11130723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL THE DTS FROM 2007 TO 2012, HAVE A FAULTY 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK. THE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT WANT TO AND THEY STOP LIGHTING WHEN IT WANTS TO.IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #11078993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP FLICKERED AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. BENNETT CHEVROLET (6721 E BLACK HORSE PIKE, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11074025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DASH LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT, OR VERY DIM. THE BRIGHTNESS DOES NOT COME ON FOR MILES AT A TIME. YOU CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER TO SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN MOTION, CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CADILLAC AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE CADILLAC DEALER. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE HAD IT TO EARNHARDT CADILLAC SCOTTSDALE, AZ. SO FAR NO FIX. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. AFTER THE WARRANTY STOPPED I DID NOT GO BACK TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #11063720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUSLY FLASHED OFF AND ON. OCCASIONALLY, ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE SECOND LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTING WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ED MORRIS CADILLAC OF TAMPA, FLORIDA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11020282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUSLY FLASHED OFF AND ON. OCCASIONALLY, ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE SECOND LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTING WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ED MORRIS CADILLAC OF TAMPA, FLORIDA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11020282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NINE MONTHS PRIOR, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CREST CADILLAC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
NHTSA complaint #10993996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,276.
NHTSA complaint #10985984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESET THE LIGHT SWITCH BY FLIPPING THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH FOR THE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A BULB OR WIRE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10985107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.