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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2004–2011

Cadillac DTS recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 527 owner complaints for the Cadillac DTS, covering model years 2004 to 2011. The 2006 model year drew the most complaints (255), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Cadillac DTS VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 527 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (2004–2011)
  • most complaints: 2006 (255 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (177 complaints)
  • latest recall 14V355000 (reported Jun 23, 2014)
  • 37 complaints reporting a crash (7.0%)
  • 21 complaints reporting a fire (4.0%)
  • 32 complaints reporting an injury (6.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Cadillac DTS complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2006 model year has the most complaints: 255 of 527, or 48.4%. Next come 2007 (97) and 2008 (86). The fewest are for 2004, with 7 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Cadillac DTS owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2004–2011Column chart of 527 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 2006 with 255. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2004: 7 complaints720042005: 9 complaints920052006: 255 complaints25520062007: 97 complaints9720072008: 86 complaints8620082009: 35 complaints3520092010: 22 complaints2220102011: 16 complaints162011
Cadillac DTS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Cadillac DTS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200471010
200590020
20062551410110
2007978450
2008866650
2009351120
2010223020
2011164040
All model years5273721320

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Cadillac DTS components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 177 complaints (33.6% of all 527), followed by Exterior Lighting (102) and Engine (80).

Components named most often in Cadillac DTS complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Cadillac DTS complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System17733.6%
Exterior Lighting10219.4%
Engine8015.2%
Steering5610.6%
Air Bags346.5%
Seats275.1%
Service Brakes234.4%
Unknown or Other224.2%
Vehicle Speed Control224.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling173.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System173.2%
Power Train163.0%
Structure163.0%
Tires152.8%
Suspension132.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Cadillac DTS recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name DTS, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2006 to 2011. The 2006 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Cadillac DTS recall campaigns covering each model year
2006: 4 campaigns2007: 3 campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: 2 campaigns2010: 3 campaigns2011: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 14V355000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition

    Model years 2006–2011

    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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

    Consequence:
    If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    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 September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 10V553000

    Reported

    Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery › Cables

    Model years 2010–2011

    General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 DTS and Buick Lucerne vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The starter or alternator cable is in contact with the power steering return line. If either the starter or alternator cable is contacting the power steering return line, the cable could wear through the line, causing a power steering fluid leak.

    Consequence:
    A power steering leak could result in a loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash, and/or the leak onto hot engine parts could cause an engine compartment fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will secure and if necessary reroute the lines to prevent contact. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 19, 2010. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Buick at 1-866-608-8080 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 10V240000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model years 2006–2009

    GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; model year 2008-2009 Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet Avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC Acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (HWFS). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (PCB) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on HWFS modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the HWFS fluid chamber.

    Consequence:
    It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on June 11, 2010. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and Hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 09V480000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2010

    GM is recalling model year 2010 Cadillac DTS vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "tire selection and rims". The tire and loading information label, which lists the proper tire and vehicle loading information, was not installed on the vehicle. In addition, there are two labels affixed to affected vehicles that incorrectly describe them as an incomplete vehicle. One label is the vehicle certification label, which certifies that the vehicle conforms to all applicable U.S. federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards. The second label is the service parts identification label, which lists various components used in the manufacturing of the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    Driving the vehicle with tires that are not properly inflated could result in tire overloading, premature or irregular wear, and/or poor handling increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will mail the three correct labels to owners along with installation instructions. Owners may also take the vehicle and the labels to a dealer for installation. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 22, 2009. Owners may contact GM Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 08V441000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model years 2006–2008

    GM is recalling 857,735 MY 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; MY 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet Avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC Acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon XL, Saturn Outlook; and MY 2008 Buick Enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.

    Consequence:
    This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.Saturn.com, GMC at 1-866-996-9436; or Hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 06V105000

    Reported

    Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections

    Model year 2006

    On certain vehicles equipped with a V8 engine,the power steering hose connectors may have been inadequately crimped which could result in a fluid leak.

    Consequence:
    If this were to occur, power steering assist may be lost and increased steering effort would be required at low speeds. Also, if the power steering fluid were to contact hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the power steering gear inlet hose. The recall began on March 29, 2006. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Cadillac DTS questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Cadillac DTS have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Cadillac DTS, covering model years 2004 to 2011. The most recent, 14V355000, was reported on June 23, 2014 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2006 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Cadillac DTS model year has the most complaints?

The 2006 model year, with 255 of the 527 complaints in NHTSA’s file (48.4%). The next are 2007 (97) and 2008 (86). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Cadillac DTS complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 177 complaints, or 33.6% of all 527. Exterior Lighting (102) and Engine (80) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Cadillac DTS?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Cadillac dealer.

How many Cadillac DTS complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 527 complaints, 37 report a crash, 21 a fire, 32 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Cadillac models

8 models · most complaints first

The Cadillac models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Cadillac VIN decoder with every Cadillac model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Cadillac models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.