AI DamageCadillac DTS: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Cadillac DTS across 8 model years: 527 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 177 complaints (34% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 102 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 80 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 56 complaints (11% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 34 complaints (6% of all), 26 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2006–2011named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2006–2011
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 527 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 177 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 102 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 80 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 56 | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 34 | 26 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 34 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 15 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Airbags did not deploy in a rear end crash. Seat belts may have failed as well. Car is located at an offsite strorage facility for insurance purposes. I suffered head trauma and a concussion. Bruising on my torse from what I believe was from the seatbelt.
While driving at an unspecified rate of speed, the oil pressure warning indicator flashed, there was a sudden loss of power, and the brake pedal was stiff when depressed. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of an 18 wheeler. The driver sustained minor bruising and pain to the shoulders and forearms.
While turning into a parking space at a very low speed my engine by itself accelerated very fast and I immediately put my foot on the brake but this did not stop the car so I put it into reverse and kept my foot on brake the car continue to accelerate very fast but eventually stopped.
Air bag didn't deploy after head on collision traveling 23 miles per hour, on a city street, going straight. Car was considered totaled by usaa.
Both airbags deployed in the nissan, but my dts airbags did not deploy. Both dallas police officers responding to the scene, indicated they "could not believe the airbags did not go off." neither can I and I believe the nhtsa should investigate why this occurred.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported.the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The vin was unavailable.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.